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 steadiness of flavors. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish that’s superb 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 prematurely too!

Straightforward Broccoli Bacon Salad with Cheese

After I was relationship my husband, he stunned me one evening with an incredible residence cooked meal. He picked me up after I had attended a bridal bathe and took me again to his house in order that we may 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 believed, “Oh no!! he has no concept how a lot I hate broccoli.”

I used to be so impressed with all the things 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. Every part was incredible, together with the broccoli.

This man has modified my life in some ways, however undoubtedly within the meals division that evening. From that evening onwards, I began making an attempt all types of recent issues that Cade liked (however by no means Sushi. I nonetheless don’t eat that though he loves it and regularly 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
• Purple 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 beneath. Maintain scrolling for all the small print!

Find out how to Make Broccoli Bacon Salad

This chilly broccoli salad comes collectively shortly! Listed here are the fundamental 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 straightforward salad dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the broccoli combination and toss properly to coat.
4. Simply earlier than serving, add the crumbled crispy bacon and sunflower seeds and toss to evenly distribute.

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

Watch This Broccoli Bacon Salad Be Made…

Do You Cook dinner Broccoli for This Salad?

The reply is sure or no. The reality is, it’s completely 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 of water to a pot with broccoli and place the lid on. Steam for a few minutes, simply till it turns vibrant inexperienced after which shortly drain and toss in a bowl of ice water. Simply ensure you drain it properly and let it cool earlier than tossing it within the bowl with the components.

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?

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

Find out how 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 can 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 chunk with different salad parts.

Additionally notice that in a pinch you might really use coleslaw dressing as a substitute of our selfmade broccoli salad dressing.

If you wish to lighten the dressing up a bit of, use plain Greek yogurt as a substitute 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 generally 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 Basic Broccoli Salad Recipe

There aren’t many issues that this salad doesn’t go along with. Any grilled, smoked, or basic consolation meals dish goes to be a terrific possibility! Listed here are just a few 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 possibility for a vacation facet dish too…Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas…sure!

Extra POTLUCK SIDE DISHES:

Really helpful Merchandise