The Ultimate Creamy Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon and Cheddar
There’s nothing quite like a refreshing, crunchy salad to complement a summer meal, and this easy creamy broccoli salad truly takes the spotlight. Far more than just a simple side dish, it’s a vibrant, flavor-packed creation that marries fresh, crisp broccoli florets with savory bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a delightful sweet and tangy dressing. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a casual potluck, or simply looking for a quick and satisfying lunch, this recipe is guaranteed to become a household favorite. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, requiring no cooking for the main ingredients, making it an ideal choice for busy days and hot weather when you want to minimize time in the kitchen.
Why This Easy Broccoli Salad Will Become Your New Favorite
As someone who always keeps fresh broccoli on hand, I can attest to the sheer delight and convenience of this recipe. It’s more than just a delicious dish; it’s a smart culinary choice for a multitude of reasons:
- Effortless Preparation: This salad truly lives up to its “easy” name. With minimal chopping and no cooking required for the broccoli itself, you can have it prepped and ready in under 15 minutes. It pairs wonderfully with virtually any protein, from grilled chicken to baked salmon, making meal planning a breeze.
- Perfect for Planning Ahead: One of the best qualities of this broccoli salad is that it actually tastes better after the flavors have had a chance to meld. This makes it an ideal candidate for meal prepping or for bringing to gatherings like BBQs, picnics, and parties. Prepare it a few hours or even a day in advance, and let the refrigerator do the work of enhancing its taste.
- Simple, Flavorful Dressing: You won’t believe how much flavor comes from just three humble ingredients in the dressing: creamy mayonnaise, bright red wine vinegar, and a touch of granulated sugar. This combination creates a perfect balance of richness, tang, and sweetness that coats every piece of broccoli beautifully.
- No-Cook Summer Essential: Say goodbye to heating up your kitchen on a hot summer day! This salad requires absolutely no cooking (aside from the bacon, if you’re using fresh slices). It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a wholesome, satisfying dish without breaking a sweat, ensuring your summer meals are as cool and refreshing as possible.
If you’re constantly seeking refreshing and easy salad ideas, you might also enjoy some of our other go-to recipes, such as our Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad, the vibrant Tomato Mozzarella Salad, the light and fresh Herb Potato Salad (no mayo), a classic Greek Pasta Salad, or a protein-packed Keto Shrimp Salad.
The Nutritional Powerhouse: Why Broccoli is So Good For You
Before diving into the recipe, it’s worth highlighting the star ingredient: broccoli. This cruciferous vegetable is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it an incredibly healthy addition to your diet. It’s an excellent source of Vitamin C, which supports immune health, and Vitamin K, essential for blood clotting and bone health. Broccoli also provides a good amount of fiber, aiding digestion and promoting a feeling of fullness. Eating it raw, as we do in this salad, helps preserve its nutrient content and delivers a satisfying crunch that’s simply irresistible. So, you’re not just enjoying a delicious salad; you’re also fueling your body with vital nutrients!
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Broccoli Salad
This recipe relies on a handful of high-quality ingredients to deliver its exceptional flavor and texture. For a full detailed list, including precise measurements, please refer to the complete broccoli salad recipe card located at the bottom of this article.
- Raw Broccoli Florets: That’s right, raw! The beauty of this salad lies in the fresh, crisp texture of uncooked broccoli. There’s absolutely no need to blanch or steam it. You’ll need approximately two large heads of broccoli, which should yield about 1 pound of florets once trimmed and cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces that are small enough to eat easily but large enough to retain their satisfying crunch.
- Crispy Bacon: Bacon adds an incredible depth of savory, smoky flavor and a delightful textural contrast. We highly recommend cooking fresh bacon until it’s perfectly crisp, then crumbling it. While convenient, the pre-packaged bacon bits in a jar often have an artificial or odd flavor profile that doesn’t quite compare to freshly cooked bacon.
- Red Onion: Diced red onion contributes a subtle sharpness and a beautiful pop of color to the salad. Its milder flavor is often preferred in raw applications compared to yellow or white onions. However, if yellow onion is all you have or you prefer its taste, it can certainly be used as a substitute.
- Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds): These unshelled pumpkin seeds are a fantastic addition for a nutty flavor and an extra layer of crunch. They toast up beautifully and add a wholesome element to the salad. If you don’t have pepitas, sunflower seeds or even toasted sliced almonds make excellent alternatives.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese provides a tangy, creamy element that complements the other flavors perfectly. For the absolute best flavor and texture, we strongly encourage you to shred your own block of cheese rather than using pre-shredded varieties. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect its melt and flavor.
- The Creamy Dressing: The magic of this salad’s dressing lies in its simplicity and perfect balance:
- Mayonnaise: The base of our creamy dressing. Use a good quality mayonnaise (not salad dressing, which tends to be sweeter and thinner) for the richest flavor and texture.
- Red Wine Vinegar: This provides the essential tangy kick that cuts through the richness of the mayo and bacon, balancing the sweetness. Apple cider vinegar can be used as a suitable alternative if red wine vinegar isn’t available.
- Granulated Sugar: A crucial ingredient that balances the acidity of the vinegar and the bitterness of the raw broccoli, creating that irresistible sweet and tangy profile.
If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise. However, be aware that this will significantly alter the salad’s flavor, giving it a tangier, less rich profile.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making This Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe
Creating this delicious broccoli salad is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect outcome every time:
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by ensuring all your ingredients are prepped. Wash and thoroughly dry your fresh broccoli, then cut it into uniform, bite-sized florets. Dice the red onion finely, shred your sharp cheddar cheese, cook and crumble your bacon until crispy, and measure out your pepitas.
Step 2: Combine the Salad Components
In a large mixing bowl, combine your prepared broccoli florets, diced red onion, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, crispy crumbled bacon, and pepitas. Give them a gentle toss to distribute the ingredients evenly. This ensures every bite will be full of diverse flavors and textures.
Step 3: Whisk the Creamy Dressing
In a separate, smaller bowl, prepare the creamy dressing. Whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar if using), and granulated sugar. Continue whisking until the mixture is completely smooth and all the sugar has dissolved. The dressing should be well-emulsified and have a consistent texture.
Step 4: Dress and Chill
Pour the freshly prepared creamy dressing over the combined salad ingredients in the large bowl. Using a large spoon or spatula, mix everything thoroughly until all the broccoli florets and other components are evenly coated with the dressing. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour, or ideally several hours, before serving. This chilling time is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a more harmonious and delicious salad.
Honestly, everyone absolutely loves this easy broccoli salad. It’s not just a side dish; I often enjoy it as a satisfying meal on its own! The combination of crisp fresh broccoli, savory bacon, sharp cheese, and the sweet-tangy dressing creates an explosion of flavors and textures that is both refreshing and incredibly satisfying. If fresh broccoli isn’t a regular on your grocery list, be sure to add it this week and treat yourself to this fantastic recipe. A good cold broccoli salad during those hot summer days is sure to hit the spot without weighing you down, offering a perfect blend of lightness and robust flavor.
Expert Tips and Creative Variations for Your Broccoli Salad
While the classic recipe is wonderful as is, this broccoli salad is incredibly versatile and open to customization. Here are some tips and variations to help you make it truly your own:
- Nutty Crunch Alternatives: I used pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for a delightful crunch, but feel free to experiment with other nuts and seeds. Toasted sunflower seeds offer a similar earthy flavor, while sliced almonds provide a delicate crunch. For an even bolder flavor, briefly toast your chosen nuts or seeds in a dry pan before adding them to the salad to bring out their essential oils.
- A Touch of Sweetness with Dried Fruit: Many traditional broccoli salads include dried fruit, such as raisins or dried cranberries. These add a burst of concentrated sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory and tangy elements. While we prefer our salad without them for a more savory profile, if you enjoy that sweet and savory combination, feel free to stir in about half a cup.
- Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly Adaptations: For those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, this salad is easily adaptable. You can substitute the granulated sugar in the dressing with a monk fruit sweetener or erythritol, adjusting the amount to your taste preference. Alternatively, you can omit the sugar entirely and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt and a generous grind of black pepper, letting the natural flavors shine.
- Boost with Additional Vegetables: This salad is a fantastic way to use up other vegetables you have on hand. Consider adding finely chopped cauliflower for another cruciferous crunch, diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange) for sweetness and color, or thinly sliced celery for a fresh, aromatic note. Ensure any added vegetables are cut into small, bite-sized pieces that complement the broccoli florets.
- The Art of Flavor Melding: This is arguably the most crucial tip! While the salad is good immediately after mixing, it truly transforms after allowing the flavors to meld. Refrigerating it for at least an hour, or even better, overnight, allows the dressing to subtly tenderize the broccoli and infuse all the ingredients with its sweet and tangy essence. This process creates a more cohesive and deeply flavored salad.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broccoli Salad
Once prepared, store any leftover broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop, often tasting even better the next day!
While you technically can, we highly recommend using fresh broccoli for this recipe. Frozen broccoli, once thawed, tends to become softer and more watery, losing the crisp texture that is essential for this salad’s appeal. If you must use frozen, ensure it is completely thawed and very well drained before chopping and mixing.
Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, simply omit the bacon. For a vegan version, omit the bacon and substitute the mayonnaise with a high-quality vegan mayonnaise. You can also replace the cheddar cheese with a dairy-free cheddar alternative or simply leave it out for a lighter salad. Consider adding smoked paprika to the dressing for a hint of smoky flavor if omitting bacon.
For the best flavor and creamy texture, we recommend using a full-fat, good quality mayonnaise. Avoid using “salad dressing” products, as they typically have a sweeter, thinner consistency and different flavor profile that won’t give you the desired result for this recipe.
Discover More Delicious Salad Recipes
If you love the ease and versatility of this broccoli salad, you’ll be thrilled to explore our other fantastic salad creations. From hearty main-course salads to refreshing side dishes, there’s a perfect recipe for every occasion and palate:
Homemade Greek Salad
Arugula Fennel Salad
Macaroni Salad
Broccoli Salad Recipe
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh broccoli cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup Red onion diced
- 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Cooked bacon chopped
- 1/2 cup Pepitas pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup Mayonnaise not salad dressing
- 1/3 cup Granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp Red wine vinegar
Instructions
-
Combine broccoli, onion, cheese, bacon and pepitas in a large bowl.
-
In a separate bowl thoroughly combine mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar.
-
Pour dressing over salad and mix until evenly coated.
-
Cover and refrigerate at least an hour before serving.