The Ultimate Creamy Broccoli Cashew Salad: Your New Favorite Potluck Side Dish
This vibrant and irresistible broccoli cashew salad is a true culinary delight, perfectly blending a symphony of textures and flavors. It features crisp, fresh broccoli florets, savory crumbled bacon, crunchy cashews, thinly sliced red onion, delightfully firm water chestnuts, and sweet raisins, all enveloped in a rich, creamy mayo-based dressing. This salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a star that promises to become a staple at your gatherings and family meals.
Why This Creamy Broccoli Cashew Salad is a Must-Try
Broccoli cashew salad has rapidly ascended to the top of my list for go-to party salads, and for very good reason. Its winning combination of ingredients creates a multi-layered sensory experience that is hard to beat. The inclusion of cashews brings an exceptional crunch, while the raisins introduce a burst of natural sweetness, perfectly balancing the savory elements of the bacon and the sharpness of the red onion. This dynamic interplay of textures and flavors makes every bite an exciting adventure.
What truly sets this salad apart is how effortlessly all the components meld together as it chills. The creamy dressing slowly infuses into the broccoli and other ingredients, softening them just enough while maintaining a subtle, delightful crispness. This chilling process is crucial, allowing the flavors to deepen and harmonize, resulting in a cohesive and incredibly satisfying dish that tastes even better the longer it sits.
While we cherish classic broccoli salad for its timeless appeal, it’s always exciting to introduce new ingredients and variations. This recipe does exactly that, offering a fresh twist that keeps things interesting. Its versatility is also a major plus – imagine serving it with festive craisins during the holiday season for an added touch of seasonal charm and flavor. It’s a dish that adapts beautifully to any occasion, making it a truly invaluable addition to your recipe repertoire.
Beyond its delicious taste, this broccoli cashew salad is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal cooking and mostly assembly. It’s an ideal make-ahead dish, perfect for busy hosts who want to impress without the stress. Its robust nature means it travels well, making it a fantastic choice for potlucks, picnics, and family gatherings. The simple ingredients combine to create a sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates, ensuring it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Broccoli Cashew Salad
To create this incredibly flavorful and satisfying broccoli cashew salad, you’ll need a selection of fresh and pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a vital role in building the unique texture and taste profile that makes this salad so special. The full list of measurements, ingredients, and detailed instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Customization Ideas
Let’s dive deeper into the ingredients that make this broccoli cashew salad so exceptional, along with some tips for selecting, preparing, and even substituting them to fit your taste or dietary needs.
BROCCOLI – The foundation of this incredible salad starts with fresh, crisp broccoli. We recommend using 2 large crowns of broccoli, which typically yield about 7 cups of florets. For variety and added nutrition, you can easily swap one head of broccoli for one head of cauliflower. When selecting broccoli, look for firm, dark green florets with tight buds and sturdy stems. Avoid any yellowing or soft spots, which indicate spoilage. Cut your broccoli into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform pieces for even distribution and a pleasant eating experience. Don’t discard the stems entirely; peel the tough outer layer and chop the tender inner part for an extra fibrous crunch!
CASHEWS – As the name suggests, cashews are a star player, contributing a buttery richness and an essential crunch. We prefer using cashew halves and pieces for easier incorporation into the salad. If you’re out of cashews or want to experiment, other nuts like walnuts, pecans, or even peanuts can provide a similar satisfying crunch and earthy flavor. For an enhanced nutty flavor, consider lightly toasting your cashews in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. This simple step elevates their natural taste significantly.
RAISINS – These humble dried fruits provide a wonderful burst of sweetness that beautifully contrasts the savory and tangy elements of the salad. Raisins add a soft chewiness, creating another layer of texture. If you’re making this salad for a special occasion, especially around the holidays, dried cranberries (craisins) are an excellent festive substitute, offering a tart sweetness that is equally delightful. Golden raisins can also be used for a slightly different, often milder, sweet profile. You could also try chopped dried apricots or cherries for a unique twist.
BACON – What’s a hearty salad without bacon? You’ll need about 6-8 slices of crispy cooked bacon, crumbled into bits. We believe fresh, pan-fried bacon offers the best flavor and texture, but for convenience, you can certainly use pre-cooked bacon heated in the microwave or good quality store-bought bacon bits. If you’re looking for a vegetarian alternative that still offers a smoky, umami depth, consider crispy fried smoked tofu bits or even toasted pecans seasoned with a touch of liquid smoke. The salty, smoky crunch of bacon is truly a highlight, so don’t skimp on this flavorful addition!
RED ONION – Red onions are the ideal choice for this salad due to their milder, sweeter flavor profile compared to yellow or white onions, and their beautiful purple hue adds a pop of color. They contribute a gentle pungency and crispness without overpowering the other ingredients. If you find red onion too strong, even when finely chopped, you can soak the chopped onion in a bowl of ice water for 10-15 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This process helps to mellow their sharpness. Shallots or even green onions could be used as a milder alternative if red onion is not available.
WATER CHESTNUTS – Often overlooked, water chestnuts are a fantastic addition, bringing a unique, subtle sweetness and an exceptional crisp, snappy texture that holds up well in the creamy dressing. They provide a refreshing contrast to the softer ingredients. We recommend using canned, chopped water chestnuts, drained thoroughly. There isn’t a direct substitute that offers the same crispness, but if you must omit them, the salad will still be delicious.
DRESSING – The luscious, creamy dressing binds all the ingredients together, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors. Our dressing features mayonnaise as its base, complemented by the tangy kick of apple cider vinegar, the balancing sweetness of granulated sugar, and a touch of salt to enhance all the flavors. For a lighter version, feel free to use low-fat mayonnaise. Alternatively, you can replace half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a protein boost and a slightly tangier flavor while maintaining creaminess. Adjust the sugar to your preference; some like a sweeter dressing, others prefer more tang.
Effortless Steps to Prepare Your Broccoli Cashew Salad
These step-by-step photos and instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this delightful recipe. For the complete printable version of this recipe, including all measurements and detailed instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Combine dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stirring with a rubber spatula until sugar dissolves. This ensures a smooth and evenly flavored dressing.
- To a separate large mixing bowl, add the prepared broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, crunchy cashews, finely chopped red onion, sweet raisins, and crisp water chestnuts. Ensure all ingredients are well-distributed before adding the dressing.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Using your rubber spatula or a large spoon, gently stir to combine everything, ensuring that every piece of broccoli and every other ingredient is thoroughly coated in the creamy dressing. This step is key for optimal flavor distribution.
- Once thoroughly mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours. For the best flavor development and texture, allowing it to chill overnight is highly recommended. This allows the flavors to deepen and the dressing to meld perfectly with the ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for the Best Broccoli Cashew Salad
To keep your delicious broccoli cashew salad fresh, store any leftovers in an air-tight container. When properly stored in the refrigerator, it will maintain its quality for up to 4 days. It’s worth noting that the longer the salad sits in the dressing, the softer the broccoli will become as it absorbs the moisture. While it might lose some of its initial crispness, the flavors will continue to meld beautifully, and it will still taste absolutely great! For best results, give it a good stir before serving any leftovers.
Absolutely! This salad is an excellent make-ahead option, perfect for entertaining or meal prep. While it tastes best the day it’s fully assembled and has had a couple of hours to chill, you can prepare the components a day in advance. Simply chop your broccoli, cook and crumble your bacon, slice your red onion, and measure out your cashews, raisins, and water chestnuts. Store these dry ingredients in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator. Prepare the dressing and store it in another sealed container. About 2 hours before you plan to serve, combine all the dry ingredients with the dressing, give it a good toss, and allow it to chill. This method ensures maximum freshness and crispness, preventing the broccoli from becoming too soft.
For perfectly crispy bacon, you have a few options. Pan-frying is classic: cook bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease before crumbling. Another great method is baking: arrange bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil (for easy cleanup) and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until desired crispness is achieved. This often results in more uniformly crispy bacon with less splatter.
Uniformly sized broccoli florets are key for this salad, as they allow for even coating with the dressing and a consistent bite. Aim for florets that are roughly 1/2 to 3/4 inch in size. Start by cutting the large crowns into smaller sections, then carefully trim individual florets from the main stem. If some florets are too large, simply cut them in half or quarters. This attention to detail significantly enhances the overall enjoyment of the salad.
Certainly! This salad is very adaptable. You could add finely diced carrots for extra sweetness and color, or some finely chopped celery for another layer of crispness. Shredded Brussels sprouts can also be a unique and healthy addition. Remember to keep added vegetables raw and finely chopped to integrate well with the texture of the broccoli.
Perfect Pairings for Your Broccoli Cashew Salad
This creamy broccoli cashew salad is incredibly versatile, making it the perfect accompaniment for a wide array of meals and occasions. Its vibrant flavors and satisfying textures make it a standout side dish that complements both casual gatherings and more formal events. The crucial step to unlock its full flavor potential is allowing it to chill for at least two hours in the refrigerator before serving; this time allows the dressing to permeate the ingredients and for all the flavors to truly meld.
Serve this delightful salad alongside grilled meats such as chicken, steak, or pork chops for a classic summer BBQ spread. Its coolness and crunch offer a refreshing contrast to smoky, hot entrees. It also pairs wonderfully with sandwiches and wraps for a lighter lunch option. Don’t limit it to just summer; its hearty nature and festive appearance (especially if you swap raisins for cranberries) make it an excellent choice for holiday dinners, potlucks, and family feasts throughout the year. Whether it’s a casual backyard cookout or a festive holiday spread, this broccoli cashew salad is guaranteed to be a hit!
Explore More Delicious Salad Recipes
If you love discovering new and exciting salad creations, you’re in luck! We have a fantastic collection of recipes that are sure to inspire your culinary adventures. From creamy and comforting to fresh and zesty, there’s a salad for every taste and occasion. Expand your recipe repertoire with some of our other popular choices:
- Sweet Pea Salad with Bacon
- Classic Waldorf Salad
- Refreshing Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Savory Chicken Salad with Grapes
- Hearty Cauliflower Salad
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Broccoli Cashew Salad
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh broccoli 2 large crowns, cut into florets. About 7 cups
- 6 ounces bacon cooked and chopped
- 1 cup cashew halves and pieces
- ¼ cup chopped red onion 1.25 ounces
- ½ cup raisins 2.7 ounces
- ⅓ cup chopped water chestnuts 2 ounces
Dressing
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
Things You’ll Need
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Large mixing bowl
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Rubber spatula
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Chef’s knife
Before You Begin
- You can easily substitute the raisins with dried cranberries during the holiday season for a festive touch.
- Feel free to use low-fat mayo or optionally replace half of the mayo with Greek yogurt.
Instructions
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Combine dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stirring with a rubber spatula until sugar dissolves.
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To a large mixing bowl, add broccoli, bacon, cashews, red onion, raisins, and water chestnuts.
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Add dressing and stir to combine, ensuring all ingredients are coated.
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Cover with plastic wrap or lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, overnight is better.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Storage – Store any leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The longer the salad sits in the dressing, the mushier it becomes – but it still tastes great!
- Make Ahead – This salad is best the day it’s made. However, you can prepare both the salad and the dressing and store them separately in the refrigerator a day in advance. Assemble the dressing and salad 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.