Jamie Oliver Broccoli Salad

This Jamie Oliver Broccoli Salad is the crunchy, creamy, and tangy side dish you didn’t know you needed. With the perfect balance of fresh broccoli, sweet cranberries, and a luscious mayo dressing, every bite bursts with flavor and texture. I made this for a casual Sunday BBQ, and it completely stole the show—even among the grilled mains! (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

For the Salad:

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2–3 heads of broccoli)
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

For the Dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

How To Make Jamie Oliver Broccoli Salad

Prep the Broccoli:
Start by washing your broccoli thoroughly. Chop it into small bite-sized florets, including some tender stems if you like a bit of extra crunch. The smaller the pieces, the better the salad mixes.

Mix the Base:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds (or almonds), crispy bacon bits if you’re using them, and shredded cheddar. This combo alone is so colorful and vibrant—it already looks like a celebration!

Make the Dressing:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey (or sugar). Add a good pinch of salt and a few cracks of pepper. The dressing should be silky smooth with a lovely balance of sweet and tangy.

Toss and Chill:
Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss everything together until well coated. You want every little floret to be kissed with that creamy dressing. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour—this is when the magic happens and all the flavors really come together.

Serve It Up:
Serve the salad chilled straight from the fridge. It’s amazing on its own or as a side dish with grilled meats, wraps, or sandwiches.

Why I Love This Recipe

I whipped this up for a family get-together and honestly wasn’t expecting it to be the dish everyone kept asking about! It’s so simple, but the flavors are bold and comforting. It’s flexible, too—I’ve made it with almonds instead of sunflower seeds and even swapped cheddar for feta. Always a win.

Recipe Tips

• Use Fresh Broccoli: Frozen just won’t cut it here—fresh florets keep things crisp and refreshing.
• Brighten It Up: Add a splash of lemon juice or a little zest for a citrusy twist in the dressing.
• Let It Marinate: Don’t skip the chilling time—this helps the broccoli soften slightly and soak up all the goodness.
• Bacon Lovers: If you’re using bacon, cook it until it’s super crispy for the best texture.
• Sweet or Tangy: Taste your dressing and tweak the honey or vinegar to suit your flavor vibe.

How To Store This Jamie Oliver Broccoli Salad

At Room Temperature:

Keep it out no more than 1–2 hours if serving at a party or picnic—because of the mayo, it shouldn’t sit out too long.

In the Fridge:

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It gets even tastier the next day!

In the Freezer:

Freezing isn’t recommended. The creamy dressing and crunchy broccoli don’t hold up well when thawed.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 258
• Carbs: 16g
• Protein: 7g
• Fat: 18g
• Sugar: 8g
• Fibre: 4g
• Sodium: 300mg

Let’s Answer a Few Questions! (FAQs)

Can I use frozen broccoli for broccoli salad?
Fresh is best! Frozen broccoli turns mushy after thawing, which ruins the salad’s crunch.

Is broccoli salad healthy?
It can be! Use light mayo or Greek yogurt and you’ve got a fiber-packed, vitamin-rich salad.

Can I make a vegan broccoli salad?
Totally! Swap the mayo for a vegan version, skip the bacon, and you’re good to go.

How do I make the broccoli more tender?
Blanch it in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then shock in ice water. It stays crisp but a little softer.

How do I make broccoli salad more tangy?
Add more apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice to the dressing.

Try More Recipes:

• Jamie Oliver Red Onion Salad
• Jamie Oliver Zucchini Salad
• Jamie Oliver Egg Salad