The BEST Broccoli Salad (with Bacon & Cheese!)

This Broccoli Salad is a scrumptious mix of crisp, recent broccoli, savory bacon, and creamy dressing, creating the right stability of flavors. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish that’s ultimate for any event, from weeknight dinners to summer time BBQs and potlucks. Smoky, crunchy, and totally satisfying!

Made with cheese, raisins, and sunflower seeds, this actually is the BEST broccoli bacon salad recipe! It may be prepped upfront too!

Straightforward Broccoli Bacon Salad with Cheese

After I was courting my husband, he shocked me one night time with an incredible house cooked meal. He picked me up after I had attended a bridal bathe and took me again to his house in order that we might work on our Anatomy and Physiology lab. After I walked in, he had made steak, rolls, loaded baked potatoes, and Broccoli and Cheese Sauce. I assumed, “Oh no!! he has no concept how a lot I hate broccoli.”

I used to be so impressed with all the pieces that I didn’t wish to harm his emotions, so I dug in. IT. WAS. DELICIOUS. Oh, I nonetheless can style it. That was the primary meals he had ever cooked for me and he blew me away. All the things was incredible, together with the broccoli.

This man has modified my life in some ways, however positively within the meals division that night time. From that night time onwards, I began making an attempt all types of latest issues that Cade beloved (however by no means Sushi. I nonetheless don’t eat that though he loves it and frequently tries to persuade me).

What’s Wanted for Chilly Broccoli Bacon Salad?

To make the broccoli bacon salad, you’ll want:

• Broccoli Florets
• Golden Raisins
• Craisins (dried cranberries)
• Sunflower Seeds
• Cooked Bacon
• Frozen Peas
• Crimson Onion

And to make the easy salad dressing, you’ll want:

• Mayonnaise
• Granulated Sugar
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Shredded Colby Jack Cheese

The measurements for all of the components may be discovered within the recipe card down under. Maintain scrolling for all the main points!

Methods to Make Broccoli Bacon Salad

This chilly broccoli salad comes collectively shortly! Listed below are the essential steps to creating this recipe:

1. In a big bowl, stir collectively the broccoli, onion, raisins, craisins, and frozen peas.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk collectively the easy salad dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the broccoli combination and toss effectively to coat.
4. Simply earlier than serving, add the crumbled crispy bacon and sunflower seeds and toss to evenly distribute.

The recipe card under may be printed or saved and accommodates the directions and all the knowledge you want.

Watch This Broccoli Bacon Salad Be Made…

Do You Prepare dinner Broccoli for This Salad?

The reply is sure or no. The reality is, it’s fully as much as you! On this broccoli bacon salad recipe, we just like the crunch of the uncooked broccoli and the tangy dressing does assist to melt issues up a bit.

However if you wish to give it a fast blanch, add a bit water to a pot with broccoli and place the lid on. Steam for a few minutes, simply till it turns vivid inexperienced after which shortly drain and toss in a bowl of ice water. Simply make certain you drain it effectively and let it cool earlier than tossing it within the bowl with the components.

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?

No, even if you happen to solely thawed the frozen broccoli however didn’t cook dinner it, I’m afraid it’d be far too comfortable for this broccoli bacon salad recipe. Contemporary broccoli florets are the way in which to go right here!

Methods to Retailer Broccoli Bacon Salad

Retailer any leftovers within the fridge in an hermetic container for 2-3 days, however ensure you cowl it or it’s going to dry out.

Suggestions for Making the Greatest Broccoli Bacon Salad

One thing I like about this broccoli bacon salad with bacon and cheese is that it’s very easy so as to add no matter further additions you want: peas, slivered almonds, carrots, hard-boiled eggs, olives, something goes!

Chop the broccoli florets into small bite-sized items. You need the items to sufficiently small to slot in one chew with different salad elements.

Additionally notice that in a pinch you may really use coleslaw dressing as an alternative of our do-it-yourself broccoli salad dressing.

If you wish to lighten the dressing up a bit, use plain Greek yogurt as an alternative of the mayo.

Lastly, we like to relax our broccoli bacon salad for a bit after which toss within the bacon proper earlier than serving, however typically life occurs and we have to make it and serve it instantly so all of it will get stirred collectively.

What to Serve with this Traditional Broccoli Salad Recipe

There aren’t many issues that this salad doesn’t go together with. Any grilled, smoked, or traditional consolation meals dish goes to be an important choice! Listed below are a number of concepts:

I’ve by no means introduced this broccoli salad to a potluck or BBQ the place it hasn’t been the star of the meal. It checks each field for texture and taste! It’s a nice choice for a vacation aspect dish too…Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas…sure!

Extra POTLUCK SIDE DISHES:

Really helpful Merchandise