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This broccoli salad recipe is perfectly crunchy, sweet and tangy, and loaded with bacon! It’s the ultimate summer salad for BBQs, cookouts, and picnics.
Need another summer classic? Try my Easy Macaroni Salad or Sweet Tea next.
Why you’ll love it
There’s no denying that this broccoli salad with bacon is a total treat, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s been a mainstay in American homes for generations, and that’s because it’s incredibly tasty. Cheddar, bacon, all the toppings… yes please!
I didn’t stray too far from the classic salad dressing, but my not-so-secret ingredient is a bit of bacon fat, and let me tell you that it takes it totally over the top. Like, definitely worth a couple of extra calories. This creamy broccoli salad also is a fantastic make ahead salad.
What you’ll need
For the salad
- Bacon – we’ve got a generous amount cut into small pieces so that each bite has bacon-y goodness!
- Broccoli – fresh broccoli is best for this recipe for that crispness
- Onion – red onion is my go-to variety for salads because it’s less sharp than others
- Dried cranberries or golden raisins – use whichever you prefer! They add a touch of sweetness
- Almonds – who doesn’t appreciate a little nutty contrast and crunch?
- Cheddar – if possible, grate your own cheddar for freshness, texture, and flavor
For the dressing
- Bacon fat – it’s important to set this dressing apart from all the rest. Don’t skip it!
- Mayonnaise and sour cream – for the traditional creamy base. I prefer Hellmann’s for the mayo, but use your favorite brand.
- Vinegar – a bit of tang for contrast and balance. Use either white or cider vinegar.
- Sugar – it gives that signature sweet quality to the dressing
- Salt & pepper – I like to be fairly generous with both
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- It’s easiest to cut up the bacon using a pair of kitchen shears, and cheddar is best grated from a block. I like using this cheese grater for it.
- Don’t have a set of glass mixing bowls yet? They’re super handy for making salads.
- Grab a pair of scissor salad tongs to serve up all your summer salads with ease.
How to make broccoli salad
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Fry the bacon, and transfer to a paper towel lined plate when done. Meanwhile, prep the other ingredients and add them to a large salad bowl. Spoon in some of the bacon grease to a small bowl that you’ll make the dressing in. Add the rest of the dressing ingredients, and stir until it’s smooth.
Pour the dressing onto the salad, add the bacon, and then toss until coated. It’s delicious right away or chilled for a few hours to let the flavors meld some more.
Broccoli success tips
- Should I blanch the broccoli? You can if you want a softer texture, but I don’t find it necessary. It’s a personal preference. If going that route, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the broccoli for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then drain it and put it in an ice bath right away to stop further cooking.
- Can I use frozen broccoli? If you want a softer broccoli salad, then you can, but if you want it to be nice and crisp, I don’t recommend it. Frozen broccoli is parboiled (blanched) before it’s frozen.
Pro tips
- Ensure the broccoli florets are as dry as possible if you rinse them first. No one wants a watery salad!
- I tried to make a fairly generous amount of dressing so that if you have a bit over a pound of broccoli, there will still be enough. If there’s too much, you don’t need to use it all and can save the rest.
How to make broccoli salad ahead
- Prep and chop all your ingredients. Add the salad ingredients to a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate. Combine the dressing in a small bowl, and store it in a covered jar in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, toss and enjoy!
- You can also dress the salad up to a day ahead of consuming it and chill in the fridge. It’ll hold up well, and the flavors will intensify.
Substitutions and variations
- The almonds can be swapped for sunflower kernels.
- You can swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt if that’s all you’ve got on hand.
- Try subbing the mayo for Miracle Whip if you prefer the taste or like a little extra zip!
- If you’re on the hunt for something a little lighter, try my Healthy Broccoli Salad instead.
What to serve with broccoli salad
- It’s fantastic as part of a potluck or BBQ spread. Try it with these Pineapple Shrimp Skewers Recipe or Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs as tasty grilled main courses.
- Some other favorite side dishes I like to serve all summer long include this Black Bean Corn Avocado Salad with Rice and Cajun Grilled Corn on the Cob! Whatever you pair it with, this salad is sure to go fast.
Leftovers and storage
- Broccoli salad is best eaten within a few days of making it. It’ll keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days. If making it more than a day or so ahead of time, I recommend adding the dressing closer when you’re actually serving it.
- If it has been left out longer than a couple of hours especially in the sunshine, I recommend eating it right away or tossing it for food safety reasons.
More summer salad recipes
Please leave a star rating and review below if you made this best broccoli salad recipe! Tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram with your creations.
Easy Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 6 strips bacon (I prefer thick cut)
- 5-6 cups broccoli florets see note
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon bacon fat from frying the bacon
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon white or cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the bacon into small pieces (I use kitchen shears to make this easy) and fry in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy (about 10 minutes).
- Meanwhile, prep the remaining salad ingredients and add them to a large bowl.
- Once the bacon is done, take it out of the skillet and transfer it to a paper towel lined plate. Add 1 tablespoon of the remaining bacon fat to a medium bowl that you'll make the dressing in.
- To the dressing bowl, add the mayo, sour cream, vinegar, sugar and salt & pepper. Stir until smooth. Taste and adjust if needed (e.g. add more sugar or vinegar).
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss (add the bacon in as well). You can serve it right away or cover the bowl tightly and chill to let the flavors meld for an hour or two prior to serving. The salad will last for a few days in the fridge.
Notes
- I recommend buying approximately 1.5 pounds of broccoli because when cut, it will make about 5-6 cups, or buy a one pound bag of pre-cut broccoli florets. I like to chop the florets fairly small for broccoli salad so they’re easy to eat.
- Be sure to dry off the broccoli well if you’ve rinsed it.
- This salad is very forgiving! Feel free to leave an ingredient out if you don’t like it… e.g. omit the cheddar. Or add more/less of an ingredient.
- This recipe is also on page 206 of the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Thanks for sharing. Tried this today and it is delicious. Did not have cranberries so substituted with sundried tomatoes.
You’re very welcome, Jo-Anne!
I love Broccoli Salad but never tried adding cranberries and almonds to mine before. I made this recipe for our Memorial Day backyard bbq, everyone enjoyed this addition of the cranberries and almonds. The family has asked me to make this same recipe for our July 4th get together!!
Yay!! I’m thrilled to hear that, Carol! Thanks for your review.
I made this yesterday, as I was looking for something a little different. It was a big hit! I loved the flavors and the added crunch. I used honey roasted pecans instead of almonds, since they were what I had on hand, and they tasted great in the salad. I will definitely be making this again and again. It is so colorful and tasty!
I love that!! 😀 Thanks, Brenda!
I’ve made this before, with my Aunt- she doesnt measure. She passed, and I found this recipe. I added some bacon grease, and cut the sugar to 1 1/2 tablespoons.
This is perfection.
I can pay tribute to my Aunt Theresa.
The measurements were right. Just a few tweaks.
Ill make it according to directions next time.
This is for a mother’s day party.
Her kids will be there.
Hi Sandra! So sorry for the loss of your Aunt Theresa. Sending lots of love!
Made this for part of our lunch yesterday and it got rave reviews. Everyone asked me to share the link. Super easy to prepare. This one stays in the top of my recipe links.
Yay!! Thank you, Susan!!
This is a really tasty salad. My whole family loves it. Sometimes I add pumpkin seeds. Thank you for all your great recipes.
That’s awesome!! 😀 Thanks so much, Elaine!