There’s just something about the crunch of fresh broccoli combined with sharp cheddar and the sweet-tart pop of cranberries that makes this Broccoli Salad with Cheddar, Cranberries, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds Recipe stand out at any gathering. It’s the kind of salad that’s refreshing yet hearty, a perfect side that everyone keeps asking for.

A clear glass bowl filled with a broccoli salad made up of many green broccoli florets with a creamy white dressing mixed over them. Small pieces of light brown bacon, thin orange shredded cheese, dark red dried cranberries, and tiny beige sunflower seeds are scattered throughout the salad, adding texture and color. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, with a small white bowl of dried cranberries and a silver pepper grinder in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Broccoli Salad with Cheddar, Cranberries, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Broccoli Salad with Cheddar, Cranberries, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Broccoli Salad with Cheddar, Cranberries, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly love how this broccoli salad balances textures and flavors—there’s crunch from the fresh broccoli and sunflower seeds, creaminess from the dressing, saltiness from the bacon, and a subtle sweetness from dried cranberries. Every bite feels like a little celebration on your palate. I always find it a huge hit at potlucks because it's vibrant and different from your typical green salads.

Freshness meets convenience: This salad comes together quickly and stays fresh even after chilling, making it great for prepping ahead.
Flavor harmony: The sharp cheddar perfectly complements the sweetness of cranberries and the smoky crunch of bacon.
Texture contrast: With sunflower seeds adding a nutty crunch, every bite excites your taste buds.
Versatile and crowd-pleasing: It’s a great side for summer barbecues or a colorful addition to weekday meals.

The image shows a close-up of a broccoli salad with three main layers. The bottom layer consists of vibrant green broccoli florets with a fresh texture. The middle layer includes small pieces of red onion and shredded light-colored cheese scattered evenly. On top, there are dark red dried cranberries mixed with bits of crunchy-looking bacon. Everything is coated with a creamy white dressing that lightly covers the ingredients. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

When you combine these ingredients, the salad really shines because each one brings something unique to the table — crunchy, creamy, sweet, salty, and tangy all at once. Choosing quality ingredients, especially fresh broccoli and sharp cheddar, makes all the difference.

Flat lay of vibrant green broccoli florets, shredded sharp cheddar cheese in bright orange piles, deep red dried cranberries, finely diced purple-red onion, golden brown cooked and crumbled bacon pieces, and scattered pale yellow sunflower kernels, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Broccoli florets: Bite-sized pieces keep the salad easy to eat and provide a crisp base.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Adds a bold, savory flavor that balances the sweeter notes.
Dried cranberries (craisins): Their tart sweetness contrasts beautifully with the bacon and cheese.
Red onion: Offers a mild sharpness and vibrant color.
Bacon: Look for thick-cut to get that smoky, crispy texture that complements the salad.
Sunflower seeds: Bring a nutty crunch; you can toast them lightly for extra depth.
Mayonnaise & Sour cream: Together they make a creamy, tangy dressing that clings to every bite.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds bright acidity that perks up the flavors.
Granulated sugar: Balances the acidity and adds subtle sweetness.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential seasoning to bring everything together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’ve played around with this recipe quite a bit to suit different tastes and occasions, and I encourage you to make it your own, too! Whether you add more sweetness or swap out sunflower seeds, customizing it keeps it fresh and exciting.

Variation: Sometimes, I like to toss in toasted almonds instead of sunflower seeds for a different crunch and flavor – it’s a lovely change that still keeps things nutty and satisfying.
Make it lighter: Swap half the mayo for Greek yogurt if you want a tangier, lower-fat dressing.
Seasonal modification: In fall, I add diced apples for extra sweetness and texture — it’s like autumn in a bowl.
Bacon alternative: Try turkey bacon or omit altogether for a vegetarian-friendly version, and consider adding smoked paprika to the dressing for that smoky punch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Broccoli Salad with Cheddar, Cranberries, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Crunchy Ingredients

Start by washing and breaking your broccoli into bite-sized florets. I like to use a sharp knife to get even-sized pieces so every forkful is a perfect combo of broccoli and cheddar. Chop your red onion finely – I find that smaller pieces spread the flavor more evenly without overpowering the salad.

Step 2: Combine the Salad Base

In a really big bowl, toss together the broccoli florets, shredded cheddar, dried cranberries, red onion, cooked crumbled bacon, and sunflower seeds. Having that large bowl helps mix everything without making a mess. This base is where all the magic begins!

Step 3: Whisk the Creamy Dressing

In a separate medium bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. I always taste the dressing at this point and adjust the vinegar or sugar depending on my mood — less vinegar for mild, more sugar for sweeter.

Step 4: Dress and Chill

Pour your dressing over the broccoli mixture and gently stir until everything is well coated. Then cover it tightly and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. This chill time lets the flavors meld and the broccoli soften just a little — trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Top Tip

From my experience, the success of this broccoli salad lies in balance and timing. I used to add the dressing and serve it immediately — but chilling it makes a world of difference. Also, don’t skip on finely dicing the onion; that little step really helps distribute flavor evenly.

Chill Time: Always let the salad rest in the fridge for at least an hour to soften the broccoli slightly and meld flavors.
Onion Prep: Dice red onion finely and, if you want a milder bite, soak in cold water for a few minutes before draining.
Mix Gently: Stir delicately to keep the salad from getting mushy but ensuring every piece is coated.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container instead of plastic wrap to prevent sogginess and odor transfer.

How to Serve Broccoli Salad with Cheddar, Cranberries, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle an extra handful of sunflower seeds and sometimes a few fresh parsley leaves on top just before serving – it adds a lovely pop of color and some extra crunch. A tiny drizzle of a tangy vinaigrette can also brighten it even more if you want.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or barbecue — its fresh bite complements outdoor smoky flavors. I also love it alongside sandwiches or as a colorful star on a picnic spread. It’s fantastic with baked potatoes or even on taco night for a crunchy, creamy salad side.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the salad in mini mason jars for individual portions, topped with extra bacon bits and a sprig of fresh thyme. It makes the presentation so pretty and festive. Another idea is layering it in a trifle bowl to show off the colors and textures, which always impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in a large airtight container — glass or BPA-free plastic with a tight lid is best. This keeps the broccoli from getting soggy and avoids the "fridge smell" that sometimes happens with bacon salads. It stays fresh and tasty for up to 3 days. I recommend giving the salad a gentle stir before serving leftovers again.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because of the raw broccoli and creamy dressing. I wouldn’t recommend freezing it as the texture and flavor will suffer. Instead, make it fresh or enjoy leftovers refrigerated.

Reheating

Since it’s a cold salad, I usually eat it straight from the fridge. If you want it a little less chilled, you can let it sit out at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Reheating isn’t necessary or recommended as it alters the texture and fresh flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this broccoli salad ahead of time?

Yes! The salad actually tastes better after chilling for at least an hour because it gives the flavors time to meld. Just cover it tightly and keep it refrigerated.

What can I substitute for bacon in this recipe?

If you prefer a vegetarian option or just want a different flavor, smoked paprika or liquid smoke added to the dressing can give a smoky flavor without bacon. You can also toss in smoked almonds or omit bacon entirely.

How do I keep the broccoli from getting soggy?

Make sure to store the salad in an airtight container rather than covering with plastic wrap directly on top. Also, don’t dress the salad too early if you plan to serve it several days later. Eating it within 3 days keeps it tasting fresh and crunchy.

Can I add other fruits or nuts to this salad?

Absolutely! Diced apples, chopped walnuts, or pecans make delicious additions and add extra texture and flavor. Feel free to experiment with what you have on hand or what you enjoy most.

Final Thoughts

This Broccoli Salad with Cheddar, Cranberries, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds Recipe feels like a warm hug in salad form for me — simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special. It’s become a staple in my family dinners and celebrations, and I’m excited for you to try it too. Once you make it, you’ll see why it’s a recipe I keep coming back to, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen as well.