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Broccoli Salad with Bacon (Sweet, Tangy, and Crunchy!)

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This Broccoli Salad with Bacon is a classic potluck and picnic favorite! It's a delicious and satisfying salad that combines fresh, crunchy broccoli florets with crispy bacon, sweet dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, and a creamy, tangy dressing. I love how this recipe is both easy to make and packed with flavor. It's a perfect side dish for any occasion, and it's sure to be a hit with everyone!

Why You'll Love This Broccoli Salad

  • Sweet and Tangy: The combination of a creamy dressing, sweet cranberries, and tangy red onion creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
  • Crunchy and Satisfying: The broccoli, bacon, and sunflower seeds add a delightful crunch.
  • Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: You can make this salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
  • Potluck Perfect: It's a great dish to bring to potlucks, barbecues, and picnics.
Ingredients for Broccoli Salad with Bacon, including broccoli, bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and dressing ingredients.

Ingredients for Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Here's what you'll need to make this classic salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Salad

  • Bacon, cooked (Meat)
  • Broccoli (Vegetable)
  • Dried cranberries (Fruit)
  • Sunflower seeds, roasted and salted (Seeds)
  • Cheddar cheese, shredded (Dairy)
  • Chopped red onion (Vegetable)

Dressing

  • Miracle Whip OR mayonnaise (Condiment)
  • Lemon zest (Flavoring)
  • Lemon juice (Acid)
  • White wine vinegar (Acid)
  • Sugar (Sweetener)
  • Kosher salt (Seasoning)
  • Black pepper (Spice)
  • Dry mustard (Spice)
  • Cayenne pepper (Spice)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Broccoli Salad with Bacon as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

  • Add Nuts: Stir in some chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for added crunch.
  • Different Cheese: Use a different type of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend of cheeses.
  • Make it Lighter: Use light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of Miracle Whip or full-fat mayonnaise.
  • Add Grapes: Add some halved grapes for extra sweetness and juiciness.
  • Different Dried Fruit: Use raisins, dried cherries, or chopped dried apricots instead of cranberries.
Mixing the salad ingredients with the dressing for Broccoli Salad with Bacon.

How to Make Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Let me show you how easy it is to make this Broccoli Salad with Bacon:

Cook the Bacon

  1. I start by making the bacon. I highly recommend baking it in the oven. It is so much easier, and with no splatter.
  2. Cook to the crispness level of your preference.
  3. Once cool chop into pieces.

Make the Dressing

  1. While the bacon cooks, I mix together the ingredients for the dressing.
  2. In a large bowl, I add Miracle Whip OR Mayonnaise, the zest from 1 lemon, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper. (The cayenne adds flavor but not heat. Don't be scared of it! Just be careful 🙂
  3. I whisk all the dressing ingredients together.

Assemble the Salad

  1. I add the ingredients for the salad to the bowl with the dressing.
  2. I start by chopping my broccoli using a chef's knife. I like really small florets, so you don't get any bites that are just giant broccoli. I also like to save the stems, chop them up, and add them into the salad, but you can leave them out if you prefer.
  3. I add all the broccoli to the large bowl.
  4. I add the dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, and chopped red onion.
  5. I add in most of the bacon, reserving some to sprinkle on top for serving. (Actually, any of the ingredients besides broccoli would look pretty sprinkled on top right before serving.)
  6. I stir it all together.

Chill (Optional) and Serve

This salad can be served at room temperature or chilled.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Broccoli Salad

Here are my secrets for making this salad truly exceptional:

  • Use Fresh Broccoli: Fresh broccoli has the best flavor and texture for this salad.
  • Cut Broccoli into Small Florets: Cutting the broccoli into small florets makes it easier to eat and ensures it's evenly coated with the dressing.
  • Cook the Bacon Until Crispy: Crispy bacon adds a delicious smoky flavor and satisfying crunch.
  • Chill Before Serving (Optional): Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld together, but it's delicious served immediately, too.
  • Don't overdress: Add the dressing little by little.

How to Serve

This Broccoli Salad with Bacon is perfect for:

  • Potlucks and Barbecues: A great side dish for potlucks, barbecues, and picnics.
  • Summer Meals: A refreshing and flavorful side dish for summer meals.
  • Lunch: A satisfying and delicious lunch option.
  • Side Dish: Serve it alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, or burgers.
Broccoli Salad with Bacon served in a bowl, ready to be enjoyed.

Make Ahead and Storage

This salad is best made ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

FAQs about Broccoli Salad with Bacon

  • Can I use frozen broccoli?
    • Fresh broccoli is best
  • Can I make this without the bacon?
    • Yes, you can omit the bacon for a vegetarian version.
  • Can I use a different type of cheese?
    • Yes, you can

Enjoy this flavorful, crunchy, and easy-to-make Broccoli Salad with Bacon! It's a perfect side dish for any occasion.

Print
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Mixing the salad ingredients with the dressing for Broccoli Salad with Bacon.

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

  • Author: Caoimhe Byrne
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 1x
  • Category: Salad, Side Dish
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This Broccoli Salad with Bacon is a classic side dish with a delicious combination of flavors and textures. Crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, sweet dried cranberries, salty sunflower seeds, and sharp cheddar cheese are all tossed in a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

  • 10-11 strips bacon, cooked until crispy
  • 2 heads broccoli (about 1 ½ pounds or 5-6 cups), cut into small florets (see notes)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ⅓ cup red onion, finely chopped

For the Dressing:

  • 1 ¼ cups Miracle Whip OR mayonnaise (see notes)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy using your preferred method (oven, skillet, or microwave). Baking the bacon in the oven is recommended for easy cleanup and less mess. Once cooked, set the bacon aside on paper towels to drain and cool. When cool enough to handle, chop or crumble the bacon.

  • Make Dressing: While the bacon is cooking (or cooling), prepare the dressing. In a large bowl, whisk together the Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise), lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard powder, and cayenne pepper (if using) until smooth and well combined.

  • Prepare Broccoli: Wash and dry the broccoli. Cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. Optional: You can also use the broccoli stems. Peel the tough outer layer of the stems and chop them into small pieces.

  • Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the prepared broccoli florets, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped red onion to the bowl with the dressing.

  • Add Bacon: Add most of the chopped/crumbled bacon to the salad, reserving a small amount for garnish.

  • Toss to Combine: Toss all the ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the dressing.

  • Chill (Optional): This salad can be served immediately at room temperature, or chilled for a more refreshing taste. If chilling, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. If you chill it, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

  • Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved bacon over the top of the salad for garnish.

Notes

  • Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli for the best results. Cut the florets into small, bite-sized pieces for easier eating. You can also use the stems, peeled and chopped.
  • Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy for the best texture.
  • Dressing: The dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
  • Miracle Whip vs. Mayonnaise: Miracle Whip has a sweeter and tangier flavor than mayonnaise. You can use either one, depending on your preference. If using mayonnaise, you may want to add a touch more sugar or vinegar to the dressing to achieve a similar flavor profile.
  • Dried Cranberries: You can substitute other dried fruits, such as raisins or dried cherries.
  • Sunflower Seeds: Roasted and salted sunflower seeds add a nice crunch and salty flavor.
  • Red Onion: If you find red onion too strong, you can soak the chopped onion in cold water for 10-15 minutes to mellow the flavor.
  • Cheese: Cheddar cheese is traditional, but you can use other cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or Colby.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve as a side dish
  • Make-Ahead: This salad can be made a day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld even more over time.
  • Storage: Leftover broccoli salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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