I’ve tried a lot of broccoli bacon salads, but this one wins. The crispy bacon, shredded cheese, sharp red onion, and tangy homemade dressing take it over the top. It’s crunchy, creamy, and perfectly savory.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
Some broccoli salads are too sweet for my taste, but this one gets it just right. The homemade dressing is light and balanced – perfect with the bacon and broccoli.
This recipe came from a 1980s school cookbook where my mom taught. I love these collections – everyone only shares their tried-and-true favorites.
- You get savory, tangy, and just a touch of sweetness – all working together in the best way.
- The mix of fresh broccoli, sharp cheese, and red onion always gets rave reviews. Another popular recipe with a great flavor combo is this bacon potato casserole.
- This salad fits right in and steals the show from BBQs to weeknight dinners—a lot like my broccoli cheese dip.
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Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Fresh Broccoli: This will be the star of our salad, adding a crisp and crunchy texture. It also steals the show in this broccoli cauliflower casserole.
- Cooked Bacon: The bacon will give our salad a smoky, savory flavor and a nice crunch. For extra crunch, mix in 1 cup of sunflower seeds. It’s a great way to add a nutty flavor and more texture to the salad.
- Red Onion: It will add a sharp, tangy flavor and a pop of color to the salad. If you’re a fan of the sweet and savory combination, try adding some halved red grapes to the salad.
- Cheddar Cheese: This will bring a rich, creamy element to the salad that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients. Add 1 cup of raisins to the salad for a touch of sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the salty bacon and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Mayonnaise: It will form the base of our dressing, giving it a creamy and slightly tangy flavor.
- Vinegar: This will add a tangy kick to the dressing, balancing out the richness of the mayonnaise and sugar.
- Granulated Sugar: It will sweeten the dressing, giving our salad a perfect sweet and savory balance.
How to Make Broccoli Bacon Salad
Preparation
Start by making the dressing. Whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar in a bowl. Then, chill it in the refrigerator.
Step 1 – Prepare the Broccoli
Cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces. I don’t like gigantic pieces when enjoying this salad, and neither will anyone else, so keep a smaller focus to your broccoli cutting. Place them in a medium-sized bowl.
Step 2 – Combine Broccoli with Other Ingredients
Add the cooked and crumbled bacon, chopped red onion, and grated cheddar cheese to the bowl with the broccoli. Stir everything together to combine.
Step 3 – Add the Dressing
Take the dressing out of the refrigerator and pour it over the broccoli mixture. Stir well to make sure the dressing coats all the ingredients.
Step 4 – Chill and Serve
Once the salad is well mixed, cover the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. This will help the flavors to meld together. Enjoy your broccoli bacon salad!
Lynette’s Tip
This salad is best after it chills in the fridge for a few hours—the dressing really soaks into the broccoli. I also like to save a few spoonfuls of dressing to stir in just before serving for extra creaminess.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Make Ahead Instructions
Make as directed a few hours before serving and store covered in the refrigerator.
Recipe FAQs
You can use any type of bacon for this recipe, but I prefer to use traditional pork bacon. However, turkey bacon or even beef bacon will work just fine.
This salad is best when made a few hours in advance to allow the flavors to meld together. However, you can make it the night before if needed. Just wait to add the bacon until you are ready to serve so that it stays crisp.
More Salad Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Broccoli Bacon Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- ½ Cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons vinegar
- ¼ Cup + 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
Salad
- 5 Cups fresh broccoli chopped into bite size pieces
- 6 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 1/3 Cup red onion diced
- 1 Cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients of mayonnaise, vinegar, and granulated sugar. Place in the refrigerator.
- Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Add to a medium-sized bowl. Add bacon, red onion, and cheese and toss to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the top and toss again. Store in the refrigerator until serving.
Notes
My Favorite Ingredient Additions:
- Raisins: Add 1 cup of raisins to the salad for a touch of sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the salty bacon and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Sunflower Seeds: For extra crunch, mix in 1 cup of sunflower seeds. It’s a great way to add a nutty flavor and more texture to the salad.
- Red Grapes: If you’re a fan of the sweet and savory combination, try adding some halved red grapes to the salad.
