Best Broccoli Salad with Bacon Recipe

This Broccoli Salad is a quick anytime salad full of fresh crisp broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits. It’s the perfect no-cook recipe for those warm summer potlucks and gatherings.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes Additional Time: 1 Hour Total Time: 1 Hour, 10 Minutes Servings: 6 Servings

This recipe recreation all began when my favorite restaurant pulled its Broccoli Salad off the menu. Our whole family was left disappointed. And since then, this restaurant no longer exists. I am certain it wasn’t this salad that made this restaurant go out of business.

But I can’t help but wonder. It was that good. My kids are not the biggest fans of vegetables, but this salad… OH, this salad makes us all happy. My version with broccoli, red onion, mayonnaise (instead of a sweetened version, I use white vinegar), bacon, and, instead of cranberries, I toss in hard-boiled eggs.

It’s quick to make, simple, and outrageously delicious!

Why You Will Love This Broccoli Salad with Bacon

This broccoli salad with bacon is the perfect balance of fresh, crunchy, creamy, and savory. Crisp broccoli florets pair beautifully with smoky, salty bacon, while a rich, tangy dressing ties everything together in every bite. It’s quick to make, requires minimal ingredients, and is ideal for meal prep, potlucks, or busy weeknights.

Ingredients Needed

Please note that a full list of ingredients and a printable version of this recipe is available below.

• Mayonnaise
• Sugar
• White vinegar
• Broccoli heads, roughly chopped
• Red onion
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sunflower kernels
• Bacon, cooked and chopped
• Hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Optional Add-Ins

• Cranberries
• Raisins
• Almond Sliced
• Chopped Pecans

How to Make The Best Broccoli Salad

STEP ONE: First, start by preparing the dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar until well combined. Then set aside.

STEP TWO: Prep all your veggies, cheese, and hard-boiled eggs.

STEP THREE: Then stir together the broccoli, red onion, cheddar cheese, sunflower kernels, bacon, and eggs in a large bowl. Give it a few good stirs to incorporate.

STEP FOUR: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and stir until all the broccoli is coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Quick Note: I will often leave it in the refrigerator just a little bit longer. But remember to give it a few extra stirs before serving.

Helpful Recipe Tips

Wash your broccoli ahead of time if possible. This will help ensure it drains well. And will keep your salad from becoming watery.

Bake your bacon. Typically, 15 minutes at 400 degrees on a lined baking sheet.

Reserve some crisp bacon for garnish if desired and add just before serving.

Remember to allow time for the recipe to chill in the fridge. This gives the broccoli a chance to soak in some of the dressing, resulting in an even more flavorful salad! The longer it soaks, the better it will taste.

This salad is great to serve alongside any grilled foods from Cheeseburger With Bacon or homemade corn dogs.

Other Delicious Salad Recipes

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Watermelon Salad Recipe

Hawaiian Pasta Salad

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