Serve up this Amish broccoli salad recipe as a delicious side dish this summer. Studded with sweet cranberries, crunchy broccoli, and sunflower seeds, toss in a homemade mayo-based dressing. This easy broccoli, cranberry, and bacon salad is a hit for your family or a crowd.

A summer side dish that you can enjoy! No more boring sides – hello, delicious cold side dish to pair with your smash burgers, chicken sandwich, or even pork chops.
I created this broccoli salad with bacon, cheese, and cranberries. But you can make this into a broccoli raisin salad with just a switch of ingredients.
Why You’ll Love Amish Broccoli Salad
Quick – This cold broccoli side dish takes minutes to prep. Whip it up and pair with your favorite main dish, or use it to meal prep for lunches.
Homemade Dressing – No store-bought dressing is used. I create a simple mayo-based sauce that really helps to elevate the sweet and tangy flavors of the dish.
Bacon – Who doesn’t love bacon? Here you have the nice salty component that helps to bring the side dish recipe to a completeness in terms of flavor.
All-Year Round Recipe – Whip this cold broccoli salad up all year round. Take it to your next family reunion, Easter gathering, or summer cookout. I am telling you, it is easy, and tasty!
Ingredients
- Broccoli Florets
- Colby Jack Cheese
- Bacon
- Dried Cranberries
- Red Onions
- Sunflower Seeds
- Mayonnaise
- Sour Cream
- White Wine Vinegar
- Salt and Pepper
- Granulated Sugar
How to Make
Here is a quick walkthrough on how to make broccoli salad. The full directions are in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Prep your broccoli and toss in a bowl. You want to cut into bite-size pieces.
Step 2: Add in the cheese, cranberries, diced bacon, sunflower seeds and the onion. Set it aside.
Step 3: In a bowl you are going to create the broccoli salad dressing. Whisk the mayonnaise, white vinegar, sour cream, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
Step 4: Pour the creamy dressing over the salad, and mix well. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to blend. Then stir and serve.
Expert Tip: If your a mom in a hurry, buy the pre-cut and ready broccoli in the bag and diced onion at the grocery store! Then dump it right in the bowl and get to work on the rest of the ingredients.
Storage
You will want to store this Amish broccoli salad with bacon and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge. It will store for up to 4 days. Anything after that you will find the texture can begin to change, and the onion flavor will become strong.
Serve this up as a side dish for dinner, or save leftovers to meal prep with. I have used it for packing in my kids and husband’s lunch. A fun twist to a classic side.
Variations to Amish Salad
- Swap the dried cranberries with raisins.
- Add a splash of fresh lemon juice; this adds a lot of flavor to the salad.
- If you want a vegetarian broccoli salad, leave out the bacon
- Add in some diced cauliflower for added flavor.
- You want to make sure to let your salad sit for a few hours before serving. This will help all the flavors blend together.
- Feel free to make this salad up to a day in advance.
- Swap out the cheese with any variety. Sharp, pepper jack, etc.
Storage
You will want to store this Amish broccoli salad with bacon and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge. It will store for up to 4 days. Anything after that you will find the texture can begin to change, and the onion flavor will become strong.
Serve this up as a side dish for dinner, or save leftovers to meal prep with. I have used it for packing in my kids and husband’s lunch. A fun twist to a classic side.
FAQs
More Side Dishes

Amish Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
Amish Broccoli Salad
- 6 cups broccoli florets fresh
- 1/2 cup red onion diced
- 1 cup cheese Colby jack or cheddar
- 1/3 cup cranberries dried
- 1/3 cup bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
Broccoli Salad Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl you are going to chop and toss in your diced broccoli, chopped onion, dried cranberries, bacon and sunflower seeds. Add in the shredded cheese. Set aside.
- In a new bowl you will add the mayonnaise, sugar, sour cream, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix well until the sauce is creamy and pour over the broccoli mixture. Toss well until incorporated.
- Place the broccoli salad in the refrigerator in a covered dish, for at least 1-2 hours. Then remove, stir and serve!
Notes
Cranberries – Swap the dried cranberries with raisins if you would like.
Lighten Up – For a lighter version swap the mayonnaise with a plain Greek yogurt.
Vinegar – If you don’t have white wine vinegar you can use regular distilled vinegar in replace.
Equipment
- Kitchen Knives
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