Cherry Broccoli Salad

Fresh cherries, dried cherries, crunchy broccoli, creamy cheese, and a sweet maple balsamic dressing come together in this flavorful broccoli salad recipe, perfect for summer dinners, potlucks, and holiday tables. 

My kids have always loved broccoli salad, so I am constantly coming up with new recipes that add different flavors and textures. This version might be one of our favorites yet. The sweet, fresh cherries paired with tart dried cherries add a delicious sweetness to the salad, while the creamy dressing, crunchy macadamia nuts, and goat cheese balance everything perfectly. The broccoli stays crisp even the next day from the fridge, making this a fantastic make-ahead recipe. It is one of those recipes that feels special enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight dinner with kids.

Salad Ingredients

You will find the full recipe card with exact teaspoons and measurements below, but here is what you will need to make this broccoli salad:

Fresh broccoli florets

Fresh cherries

Dried cherries

Goat cheese

Macadamia nuts or crunchy almonds

Lemon zest

Mayonnaise

Maple syrup

Balsamic vinegar

You can also customize the salad ingredients based on what you have in your kitchen. Sunflower seeds, walnuts, bacon, raisins, cranberries, or tart cherries would all work well in this recipe. Trader Joe’s often carries delicious dried cherries and fresh cherries during cherry season, and they are one of my favorite places to grab unique salad ingredients and cheese.

Other Dressings You Can Use

The maple balsamic dressing really brings out the sweet and savory flavors in this broccoli salad, but there are several other delicious dressings you can try depending on the occasion or what you already have in your fridge.

• A creamy poppyseed dressing pairs beautifully with fresh cherries and crunchy broccoli.
• A simple dressing made with olive oil, white vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper gives the salad a lighter texture.
• Raspberry vinaigrette adds a fruity flavor that works especially well with tart cherries and goat cheese.
• A creamy lemon dressing with mayonnaise and fresh lemon juice brightens the veggies and onions.

How to Make Cherry Broccoli Salad

1. Start by washing and thoroughly drying the fresh broccoli florets. Chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and add them to a large bowl.
2. Slice the fresh cherries in half and remove the pits. Add the dried cherries and chopped macadamia nuts.
3. In a smaller bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar, and maple syrup.  You can choose to add Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper for more depth. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Finish with fresh lemon zest for even more bright flavors and texture.
4. This salad is best after chilling in the fridge for about 30 minutes, but it can also be served at room temperature. One of the best things about broccoli salad is that it holds up well, so leftovers are still delicious the next day.

Other Broccoli Salad Recipes You Should Try

If your family loves broccoli salad recipes as much as mine does, make sure you also try these favorites from Make the Best of Everything:

Blueberry Lemon Broccoli Salad 

Berry Broccoli Salad 

Strawberry Poppyseed Broccoli Salad 

Whole Foods Broccoli Crunch Salad 

Cinnamon Apple Broccoli Salad 

Print

Cherry Broccoli Salad

This Cherry Broccoli Salad is perfect for summer cookouts, Easter brunch, baby showers, holiday dinners, and backyard barbecues.

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 5-6 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
• 1/3 cup dried cherries
• 1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts
• 2-3 green onions sliced thin
• 1/3–1/2 cup goat cheese crumbles
• zest of one lemon

Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1.5 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

1. Add the chopped broccoli, fresh cherries, dried cherries, onions, and nuts to a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, stir together the dressing ingredients until smooth.

3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.

4. Gently fold in the goat cheese.

5. Top with lemon zest and refrigerate until ready to serve.

This broccoli salad is perfect for summer cookouts, Easter brunch, baby showers, holiday dinners, and backyard barbecues. The sweet cherries and crunchy texture make it feel a little more elevated than traditional broccoli salad recipes, but it still pairs well with simple grilled chicken, burgers, or sandwiches. I also love serving it alongside salmon or barbecue.

If you do not have a cherry pitter, do not worry. Simply slice the fresh cherries in half with a small knife, then use your fingers or the knife tip to remove the pit. It takes a little more time, but it works perfectly. Fresh cherries are usually easiest to find during the summer months, though many grocery stores and Trader Joe’s carry them seasonally. You can also use tart cherries if you prefer a slightly less sweet flavor.

The combination of creamy dressing, crunchy veggies, chewy dried cherries, and cheese gives this broccoli salad so much texture and flavor in every bite.

Did you make this delicious Cherry Broccoli Salad?  I would love to hear how this worked out for you!  Please comment below this post or tag me on Pinterest or Facebook and let me know what you think!