The Zesty Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe Everyone Will Love

Every backyard barbecue needs a show-stopping broccoli bacon salad that brings serious crunch to the table.

Raw florets mingle with crispy, smoky bits of pork for an irresistible combination.

Sharp cheddar cheese adds a tangy punch to each bite.

Creamy dressing binds the ingredients into a delectable side dish that everyone will devour.

Crunchy nuts provide unexpected texture and depth of flavor.

Quick to assemble and packed with fresh ingredients, this salad feels like a celebration on your plate.

One taste, and you will understand why this recipe becomes an instant classic at potlucks and summer gatherings.

Why Broccoli Bacon Salad Is A Recipe Worth Making

• Crush Complexity with Ease: This broccoli bacon salad boasts simple preparation steps that make cooking stress-free, perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Speed Up Meal Prep: Ready in just 15 minutes of active cooking time, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, allowing you to whip up a crowd-pleasing dish quickly.
• Texture Party in Every Bite: Packed with crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, chewy cranberries, and nutty sunflower seeds, the salad offers an exciting mix of textures that keeps every mouthful interesting.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Works wonderfully as a side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or weeknight dinners, appealing to both kids and adults with its irresistible combination of savory and sweet flavors.

Things You’ll Need For Broccoli Bacon Salad

Main Components:

Salad Base: – Broccoli: Crisp green vegetable with a robust texture, best when fresh and bright green.

• Bacon: Savory, crispy meat that adds rich flavor and crunchy texture, preferably thick-cut and well-cooked.

Flavor Enhancers:

Vegetables and Nuts: – Red Onion, Sunflower Seeds: Sharp onion provides zesty bite, seeds add nutty crunch and extra protein.

• Dried Cranberries: Sweet-tart fruit that balances the savory elements, adds color and brightness.

Binding and Dressing Ingredients: – Mayonnaise: Creamy base that helps coat and hold salad together, choose full-fat for best flavor.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Tangy liquid that cuts through richness and adds brightness.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that rounds out the dressing's flavor profile.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that complements bacon and adds creamy texture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

FAQs About Broccoli Bacon Salad

• Is this salad healthy?

Despite bacon and cheese, this salad offers nutritional benefits. Broccoli is packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, while sunflower seeds provide healthy fats and protein.

• Can I make this salad vegetarian?

Absolutely! Skip the bacon and replace it with roasted almonds or tempeh bits for a similar crunchy texture and protein boost.

• How long can this salad stay fresh?

The salad stays crisp and delicious for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before serving.

• What makes the dressing special?

The combination of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey creates a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing that perfectly complements the broccoli and other ingredients.

How To Make Broccoli Bacon Salad The Easy Way

Step 1: Whip Up The Creamy Dressing

Grab a small mixing bowl and whisk together smooth mayonnaise, tangy apple cider vinegar, and sweet golden honey. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and pepper to make the flavors pop. Set this delicious mixture aside while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2: Chop And Prep Fresh Ingredients

• Crisp broccoli florets
• Salty crumbled bacon
• Zesty red onion
• Tart dried cranberries
• Crunchy sunflower seeds
• Sharp cheddar cheese

Toss all these goodies into a large mixing bowl to create a colorful and exciting base for your salad.

Step 3: Blend And Coat The Salad

Pour the creamy dressing you made earlier all over the chopped ingredients. Use a big spoon or salad tongs to mix everything together, making sure each piece gets a delicious coating of the dressing. Ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed and looking fabulous.

Step 4: Chill And Let Flavors Dance

Cover your salad bowl and slide it into the refrigerator. Let the ingredients mingle and get to know each other for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows all the flavors to blend beautifully and become even more delicious.

Step 5: Serve And Enjoy

Pull the salad out of the fridge and give it one final toss. If you want extra crunch, sprinkle some additional bacon bits or sunflower seeds on top. Serve cold and watch everyone smile with delight!

Tips To Make Broccoli Bacon Salad More Flavorful

• Boost Bacon Crispiness: Bake bacon in the oven on a wire rack for extra crunchiness and uniform cooking, ensuring perfect texture throughout the salad.
• Lighten Up Dressing: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a mix of yogurt and light mayo to reduce calories while maintaining creamy consistency.
• Prep Ahead Trick: Chop broccoli and cook bacon a day in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to save time and streamline salad assembly.
• Make It Vegetarian: Replace bacon with roasted coconut chips or smoked almonds for a protein-packed, plant-based alternative that delivers similar savory notes.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast sunflower seeds briefly in a dry skillet to release their nutty essence and add a delightful crunch to the salad's overall texture.

How To Store Broccoli Bacon Salad So It Stays Fresh

• Refrigerate your broccoli bacon salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Keep the container sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Separate the bacon and seeds if possible to maintain their crispness during storage.
• Stir the salad gently before serving to redistribute the dressing and revive the texture.
• Always use clean utensils when handling the salad to prevent bacterial growth and extend its shelf life.
• Avoid freezing this salad, as the mayonnaise-based dressing and fresh vegetables will break down and lose their appealing texture when thawed.

Perfect Pairings For Broccoli Bacon Salad

• Boost Bacon's Boldness: Pair this salad with a crisp, hoppy IPA beer that cuts through the richness of bacon and complements its smoky flavor.
• Complement Creamy Textures: Serve alongside a light, unoaked chardonnay which balances the salad's creamy dressing and provides a subtle fruity undertone.
• Contrast Savory Crunch: Match with a sparkling apple cider that brings refreshing acidity and hints of sweetness to offset the salty bacon and tangy dressing.
• Enhance Vegetable Vibrancy: Choose a fresh, zesty sauvignon blanc that highlights the broccoli's green notes and provides a bright, clean finish to the meal.

Ways To Mix Up Broccoli Bacon Salad

• Green Goddess Broccoli Blast: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, add fresh herbs like basil and chives, and include diced avocado for extra creaminess and nutrition.
• Spicy Southwest Crunch: Replace sunflower seeds with pepitas, add diced jalapeños, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and mix in a chipotle-honey dressing for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Fusion Salad: Substitute bacon with crispy pancetta, include crumbled feta cheese, add kalamata olives, and dress with a lemon-olive oil vinaigrette for a Mediterranean flair.
• Asian-Inspired Broccoli Mix: Use sesame oil in the dressing, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds, add mandarin orange segments, and garnish with chopped green onions for an Asian-inspired flavor profile.

Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy broccoli bacon salad brings a perfect blend of crisp vegetables and smoky bacon in one irresistible dish. Crunchy florets tossed with tangy dressing create a delightful complement to backyard barbecues and summer gatherings you won’t want to miss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Main Ingredients:

• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 5 cups (1.2 kg) fresh broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads), chopped small

Cheese and Additional Toppings:

• ½ cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup (30 g) sunflower seeds or chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans)
• ⅓ cup (50 g) red onion, finely diced
• ⅓ cup (45 g) dried cranberries

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (180 ml) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey or sugar
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant, tangy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a small mixing vessel. Season with salt and pepper, creating a harmonious blend of creamy and zesty flavors.
2. Prepare the broccoli by chopping into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent texture and even dressing distribution.
3. Crisp and crumble bacon into rustic fragments, releasing its smoky essence throughout the salad.
4. Dice red onion into delicate slivers, adding a sharp, pungent undertone to the vegetable medley.
5. Sprinkle dried cranberries to introduce a sweet, tart element that complements the savory bacon and crunchy broccoli.
6. Scatter sunflower seeds across the mixture, providing a nutty crunch and additional textural complexity.
7. Integrate shredded cheddar cheese, allowing its rich, sharp profile to meld with the other ingredients.
8. Drench the entire composition with the prepared dressing, gently folding to ensure every ingredient is luxuriously coated.
9. Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to intermingle and develop a more profound taste profile.
10. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss, then optionally garnish with extra bacon crumbles or a sprinkle of seeds for added visual appeal and texture.

Notes

• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier, tangier dressing that cuts down on calories while maintaining creamy texture.
• Toast sunflower seeds briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Blanch broccoli quickly in boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water to maintain vibrant color and slightly soften without losing crisp texture.
• Customize the salad by substituting bacon with crispy turkey bacon or tempeh bacon for vegetarian and lower-fat options that still deliver robust flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg