The Best Creamy Broccoli Cashew Salad: Your Ultimate Potluck & Party Favorite
Get ready to impress with this sensational broccoli cashew salad recipe! It’s an incredibly delicious and versatile dish, perfect for any gathering, from casual potlucks to elegant holiday feasts. Bursting with vibrant flavors and delightful textures, this salad features crisp broccoli florets, smoky bacon, crunchy cashews, thinly sliced red onion, juicy raisins, and subtle water chestnuts, all generously coated in a rich, creamy, and subtly sweet mayo-based dressing. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a star that promises to be a memorable addition to any menu, earning rave reviews from everyone who tries it.
Why This Creamy Broccoli Cashew Salad Will Be Your New Favorite
This broccoli cashew salad has quickly ascended to the top of my list as the ultimate party salad, and for good reason! What sets it apart is the thoughtful combination of ingredients that create an incredible symphony of textures and flavors. The delightful crunch from the cashews provides a satisfying bite, while the plump, sweet raisins introduce a burst of unexpected sweetness that perfectly balances the savory notes of the bacon and the slight sharpness of the red onion.
Every component is carefully chosen to complement each other. As the salad chills in the refrigerator, the creamy mayo-based dressing works its magic, allowing all the individual flavors to meld beautifully. This chilling process is key, as it softens the broccoli just enough to be tender-crisp, while maintaining a subtle, refreshing crunch from the nuts and water chestnuts. It’s this harmonious blend that ensures every forkful is a truly pleasurable experience.
While a classic broccoli salad will always hold a special place, it’s incredibly rewarding to experiment and introduce new ingredients that elevate a beloved dish. This particular recipe does exactly that, transforming a familiar concept into something fresh and exciting. Imagine serving this vibrant salad during the holidays, perhaps with dried cranberries (craisins) for an extra festive touch – it’s guaranteed to be a hit!
Gather Your Ingredients for This Delicious Salad
To whip up this incredible broccoli cashew salad, you’ll need a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients. Find all precise measurements, a complete list of ingredients, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Understanding each ingredient’s role and knowing your options for substitutions can help you tailor this broccoli cashew salad to your taste and what you have on hand. Here’s a closer look:
- BROCCOLI – For the best results, aim for 2 large crowns of fresh, vibrant green broccoli. When preparing, ensure you cut them into bite-sized florets – not too big, not too small, so they’re easy to eat and can properly absorb the dressing. Broccoli is packed with vitamins C and K, and fiber, making this salad as nutritious as it is delicious. If you’re feeling adventurous or want to lighten it up, you can substitute one head of broccoli with a head of cauliflower for a slightly different texture and flavor profile.
- CASHEWS – The cashews are truly one of the stars, contributing a delightful buttery crunch and rich flavor that perfectly complements the other ingredients. We recommend using cashew halves and pieces for ease, but whole cashews can also be used, perhaps roughly chopped. For an even deeper flavor, consider lightly toasting your cashews in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the salad. If cashews aren’t available or you prefer a different nut, walnuts, pecans, or even peanuts would be tasty alternatives, each bringing its unique character to the salad.
- RAISINS – These dried gems are essential for adding a wonderful burst of natural sweetness and a chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with the crunchier elements. This sweetness is crucial for balancing the savory and tangy flavors of the salad. For a festive twist, especially around the holidays, dried cranberries (craisins) make an excellent substitute, offering a similar sweetness with a touch more tartness and a vibrant red color. You could also try chopped dried apricots or cherries for variation.
- BACON – About 8 slices of crispy, cooked bacon add a mouthwatering smoky, savory depth that elevates this salad from good to incredible. While we can’t tell you exactly how much bacon to use (more is often better!), cooking it fresh is always recommended for the best flavor and texture. For those short on time, pre-cooked bacon heated in the microwave or good quality bacon bits can be used as a convenient substitute, though the flavor won’t be quite as robust. Ensure the bacon is well-drained of excess fat and crumbled into small pieces.
- RED ONION – Red onions are the ideal choice for salads due to their milder, sweeter flavor profile compared to yellow or white onions. They also add a beautiful pop of purple color. Slice them very thinly for a delicate presence that provides a gentle bite without overpowering the other ingredients. If you find raw onion too strong, you can soak the chopped red onion in a bowl of ice water for 10-15 minutes before draining thoroughly; this helps to mellow its pungency.
- WATER CHESTNUTS – These underrated gems bring a unique, crisp texture and subtle, slightly sweet flavor. They are a fantastic addition that provides another layer of satisfying crunch, making the salad even more interesting. Ensure they are finely chopped to integrate well into the salad.
- CELERY – While not in the original, I often find a little extra crunch and fresh, mild flavor from finely diced celery makes this salad even better. It adds a refreshing element and further enhances the textural variety.
- DRESSING – The creamy dressing is the glue that brings everything together. Our recipe combines rich mayonnaise, tangy apple cider vinegar, a touch of granulated sugar for sweetness, and salt to enhance all the flavors. This creates a perfectly balanced sweet and savory profile. For a lighter version, feel free to use low-fat mayonnaise, or for an added protein boost and a creamier, slightly tangier dressing, replace half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. You can also add a hint of Dijon mustard for extra depth, or a pinch of black pepper for a subtle spice.
Simple Steps to Craft Your Broccoli Cashew Salad
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to prepare this delightful recipe. For the complete printable version, including all measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- **Prepare the Dressing:** In a large mixing bowl, combine all your dressing ingredients: mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt. Use a rubber spatula or a whisk to stir everything together thoroughly until the sugar completely dissolves and the dressing is smooth and well-emulsified.
- **Combine Salad Ingredients:** In a separate large mixing bowl, add your prepared fresh broccoli florets, cooked and crumbled bacon, cashew halves and pieces, thinly chopped red onion, sweet raisins, and crisp water chestnuts (and diced celery if using). Gently toss these ingredients together to ensure an even distribution.
- **Dress the Salad:** Pour the creamy dressing over the mixed salad ingredients. Using your rubber spatula or large serving spoons, stir gently but thoroughly. Make sure every single piece of broccoli and every other ingredient is coated with the delicious dressing.
- **Chill and Serve:** Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a fitted lid. Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to deepen and meld. For the absolute best results and a truly developed flavor, chilling it overnight is even better. This also ensures the broccoli softens perfectly while retaining a delightful subtle crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
Store any leftover broccoli cashew salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. While it remains delicious, do keep in mind that the longer the salad sits in the dressing, the softer the broccoli will become. It will still taste fantastic, but the crispness will gradually diminish over time. For optimal crunch, consider adding any extra cashews or bacon right before serving leftovers.
Absolutely, and it’s highly recommended! This salad actually benefits from some time to chill, allowing the flavors to fully meld. While it’s best served after at least 2 hours of chilling, and arguably even better after chilling overnight, you can prepare the main components well in advance. To keep everything as fresh as possible, prepare both the dry salad ingredients (broccoli, bacon, cashews, onion, raisins, water chestnuts) and the dressing separately and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a day in advance. Then, about 2 hours before you plan to serve, simply combine the dressing with the salad ingredients, toss well, and let it chill.
While fresh broccoli is always preferred for its crisp texture, you can use frozen broccoli in a pinch. If using frozen, make sure to thaw it completely and drain it thoroughly to remove any excess water. Pat it very dry with paper towels. You might find the texture to be a bit softer than with fresh broccoli, but the flavor will still be great.
The key to avoiding a soggy salad lies in proper preparation and timing. First, ensure your fresh broccoli florets are completely dry before adding them to the bowl; any residual water can dilute the dressing. Second, thorough chilling is important as it allows the broccoli to absorb some of the dressing without becoming waterlogged, achieving that perfect tender-crisp texture. If you’re making it far in advance, consider keeping the cashews and bacon separate and adding them just before serving to maintain their maximum crunch.
Yes, absolutely! To make it vegetarian, simply omit the bacon. The salad will still be incredibly flavorful with all the other ingredients. To make it fully vegan, in addition to omitting the bacon, you’ll need to use a high-quality vegan mayonnaise for the dressing. Ensure all other ingredients, like cashews and raisins, are free from animal products.
Perfect Pairings & Serving Ideas
This creamy broccoli cashew salad is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic addition to almost any meal or occasion. It’s truly perfect for potlucks, barbecues, summer gatherings, holiday dinners, or even as a vibrant side for your weeknight meals. Its blend of sweet, savory, and crunchy elements means it pairs beautifully with a wide variety of main courses. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, barbecued ribs, roasted pork loin, or simple burgers and hot dogs. For a lighter meal, enjoy it with a fresh sandwich or wrap. Don’t forget to allow it to chill for at least two hours in the refrigerator before serving, as this chilling time is crucial for the flavors to fully develop and for the ingredients to achieve their optimal texture. You can garnish with extra crumbled bacon or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for an extra touch of color and flavor.
Explore More Delicious Salad Recipes
If you love discovering new and exciting salad creations, you’ll be delighted by these other fantastic recipes from our collection:
- Creamy Pea Salad
- Classic Waldorf Salad
- Refreshing Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Savory Chicken Salad with Grapes
- Crunchy 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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Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh broccoli 2 large crowns, cut into bite-sized florets. About 7 cups.
- 6 ounces bacon cooked until crisp and crumbled (approx. 8 slices).
- 1 cup cashew halves and pieces lightly toasted for extra flavor, optional.
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion 1.25 ounces.
- ½ cup raisins 2.7 ounces, or dried cranberries.
- ⅓ cup chopped water chestnuts 2 ounces, well-drained.
- ½ cup diced celery optional, for extra crunch.
Creamy Dressing
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise full-fat or low-fat, or half Greek yogurt.
- 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar for tanginess.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar adjust to your desired sweetness.
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt or to taste.
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 and a slightly tarter flavor.
- Feel free to use low-fat mayo or optionally replace half of the mayo with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing.
- For optimal crunch, consider lightly toasting your cashews in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the salad.
Instructions
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Combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly with a rubber spatula or whisk until the sugar dissolves completely and the dressing is smooth.
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In a separate large mixing bowl, add the chopped fresh broccoli florets, crumbled cooked bacon, cashew halves and pieces, finely chopped red onion, raisins (or dried cranberries), chopped water chestnuts, and diced celery (if using). Gently toss to ensure an even mix of all ingredients.
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Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the salad ingredients. Stir gently but thoroughly, making sure all components are well-coated with the dressing.
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Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. For the best flavor and texture development, chilling it overnight is highly recommended.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Storage – Store any leftovers in an airtight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The longer the salad sits in the dressing, the softer the broccoli will become, but it will still taste great! For maximum crunch, add extra cashews or bacon bits just before serving leftovers.
- Make Ahead – This salad is at its peak flavor and texture after chilling for at least 2 hours, or even overnight. If preparing further in advance, you can keep the dry ingredients (broccoli, nuts, bacon, etc.) and the dressing stored separately in the refrigerator for up to a day. Combine them about 2 hours before you plan to serve.
- Preventing Soggy Salad – Ensure your broccoli florets are completely dry before mixing. Chilling the salad thoroughly allows the broccoli to absorb the dressing without becoming waterlogged. Adding nuts and bacon right before serving can help maintain their crispness.
- Vegetarian/Vegan Option – Omit the bacon for a vegetarian version. For a vegan salad, also substitute regular mayonnaise with a high-quality vegan mayonnaise.
Nutrition
Calories: 611cal |
Carbohydrates: 41g |
Protein: 10g |
Fat: 47g |
Saturated Fat: 9g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 22g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 15g |
Trans Fat: 0.1g |
Cholesterol: 32mg |
Sodium: 887mg |
Potassium: 616mg |
Fiber: 5g |
Sugar: 22g |
Vitamin A: 742IU |
Vitamin C: 102mg |
Calcium: 69mg |
Iron: 2mg
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