Everyone needs a recipe for the best Broccoli Salad! This one is stuffed with bacon, cranberry, cheese, sunflower seeds, and tangy homemade dressing. It is easy to make and is a huge crowd pleaser. The perfect side dish to bring to your summer barbecue, or even to serve at Thanksgiving! Originally published September 5, 2020.
Table of Contents
- The best broccoli salad recipe
- Ingredients for broccoli salad with bacon
- How to make broccoli salad with bacon
- Broccoli bacon salad recipe variations
- What to serve with this broccoli salad
- Storing broccoli salad with bacon
- Broccoli Bacon Salad FAQs
- More delicious summer salads you’re going to love!
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon Recipe Recipe
I finally broke down and bought an electric toothbrush. Maybe this doesn’t sound like a big deal to you, but the sinister whir of an electric toothbrush gives me the heebie jeebies. (They sound EXACTLY like a dentist drill, doesn’t this give flashbacks to anyone else??) The idea of using it twice a day makes me want to die.
Here I am, on my maiden voyage with the blasted thing, trying not to cry about the fact that this is my life now. Eric thought I was being so ridiculous that he took a picture.
The toothbrush I bought came as a set of two, so Eric got the other one. You know, just one of those lovely gifts you get your spouse with a not-so-subtle message. “Clean your teeth, you filthy animal.”
I saw him using it a couple days later, and he was done in about 30 seconds. I was outraged. “You stopped it before the cycle was even over??”
“What cycle?”
“There’s a cycle. It beeps at you so that you can switch to the next quadrant of your mouth. Then it automatically turns off when you’re done.”
He shrugs. “Meh. I don’t need a toothbrush telling me what to do.”
Maybe I need to be a little more zen about the toothbrush situation.
(Also, I suppose this is the response I should expect after buying him the thing in the first place. Passive aggressive, much?)
Is everybody ready for Labor Day on Monday? It is forecasted to be 109 degrees, so I’m planning to eat copious amounts of this broccoli salad while sitting in my cool, air conditioned house.
The best broccoli salad recipe
Who loves a good broccoli salad? Also, is it even a broccoli salad without the bacon?? I added it to the title of this recipe just so we’re all on the same page here about what this salad is all about.
It’s not only about the bacon though! The best broccoli salad has:
- a sweet, creamy, tangy dressing
- chewy, fruity dried cranberries
- sunflower seeds for crunch
- the bite of red onion
- sharp, freshly grated cheddar
This stuff gets devoured at potlucks and picnics, and at my house we’re always fighting over the leftovers for lunch. Broccoli has never looked better.
Featured Comment
“I’ve made this probably 6 times since I found the recipe. The sauce alone is so light and fresh, I’ve made it to top salads to be honest. This recipe has become a regular in my household, everyone loves it!”
– Angela
Ingredients for broccoli salad with bacon
The full recipe can be found in the recipe card down below!
- bacon (cooked)
- broccoli
- dried cranberries
- sunflower seeds
- cheddar cheese (don’t buy pre-shredded, grate your own!)
- chopped red onion
- Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
- lemon zest and lemon juice
- white wine vinegar
- sugar
- seasonings (we’re spicing up our dressing with a combination of kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper)
What kind of vinegar for broccoli salad with bacon?
I like to use white wine vinegar in my broccoli salad, because it’s fruity, sweet, and mild. You could use red wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, or sherry for similar flavor. Plain old white vinegar will work in a pinch, but since it’s made from grain alcohol, the flavor will be stronger and sharper without the fruitiness of white wine vinegar. It will still work!
How to make broccoli salad with bacon
It’s super easy to put together. First, fry up some bacon.
Except don’t actually fry it, that’s messy. Put it on a pan and bake your bacon in the oven. So much easier! No lava splatters!
While your bacon is cooking, chop up your broccoli. Now, I know you’ve chopped some broccoli in your lifetime, and you might be thinking I’m a total weirdo for including not one, not two, but SIX process shots (count em up) for how to cut broccoli.
But stay with me here: just like in my Macaroni Salad, I’m a firm believer that half the success of these types of salads comes from the size of the veggie chop. I like small florets of broccoli, so that I don’t ever have to take a bite of just big ol broccoli. I want a bite of broccoli AND bacon AND dried cranberries. Small florets are the way to go.
And don’t leave those stems behind! They are tasty…when they are chopped small. Nobody wants to gnaw on a big ol stem in the middle of their salad experience. Be kind to your guests. Small chop ftw.
What dressing goes on broccoli salad?
Now that we’ve got all the chopping out of the way, mix up your dressing. It couldn’t be easier. I start with Miracle Whip. Miracle Whip?? Yep. I’ve never been a believer before this, guys. But recently Eric made us a special snack from his childhood:
I asked my Instagram followers if they had heard of it. It’s canned pear, topped with Miracle Whip and cheese, on a bed of lettuce. (SO. WEIRD. Have you had it before?)
Anyway. We had the Miracle Whip on hand and I decided to try it out in the broccoli bacon salad. I thought the only difference between Miracle Whip and mayo is that Miracle Whip had a lot more sugar. But it actually only has a little bit more sugar, and lots more spices. I’m A-ok with spices, so I decided to try it out. Delicious! I think I’m a convert. (A Miracle convert. NOT a Pear Cheese Salad convert.)
If you are not a believer, you can totally use mayo in place of Miracle Whip. I tried it both ways!
Anyway, back to the dressing for the broccoli bacon salad. Miracle OR mayo, with lemon, vinegar, sugar, and a little dry mustard and cayenne pepper.
Put it all together…
…and voila. The easiest, tastiest broccoli salad situation of your life!
This would be so fun to bring to a BBQ! If not, then make this salad and eat it as a side dish with your lunches all week. The perfect healthy side dish for any meal!
Broccoli bacon salad recipe variations
I love dried cranberries in this salad, but I have heard of people doing raisins instead. Not my thing BUT I bet that dried cherries would be amazing!
If you want another cheese option, I’d go with something that’s creamy and has a standout flavor. Feta would be delicious, so would Gruyere. I think a mild cheese like mozzarella would just get lost in the shuffle.
Oh, and if you’re not into sunflower seeds, you would definitely do nuts instead. I’d do chopped walnuts or pecans (toasted of course). Or use pumpkin seeds, aka pepitas! YUM.
What to serve with this broccoli salad
Broccoli salad with bacon is the perfect addition to your next BBQ or potluck, but it also makes an excellent side dish to along with dinner.
A few of my favorites are BBQ smoked pulled pork, Texas beef brisket, saucy pork chops, grilled flank steak, and lemon tarragon grilled chicken. For a dessert, try some of my summer favorites! Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, Homemade Peach Cobbler, or any other recipe from my Pies, Pastries, & Tarts page.
Storing broccoli salad with bacon
Broccoli bacon salad is best after the flavors have had a chance to mingle, so it’s excellent stored in the fridge. Leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5 days. Keeping the bacon separate and stirring it in right before serving means it won’t get soggy in the fridge.
It can’t be frozen, because the textures of the broccoli and mayo won’t hold up when thawed.
Broccoli Bacon Salad FAQs
Heck yes they do! The crunchy umami flavor of the bacon paired with the crispness of the broccoli is so good smothered in the creamy, tangy dressing. Bacon and broccoli make an excellent pairing!
Either way! Broccoli salad is great cold from the fridge, but also tastes delicious at room temperature when freshly made. Don’t let it sit out for too long, 2-3 hours is okay, but any longer than that and your mayo might start getting funky on you. (Don’t tell the food safety police but I’m actually pretty lax about this sort of thing…keeps immunity up, right?? Or something?) As usual, follow your nose and don’t be dumb. 😉
Once the bacon is added to the broccoli bacon salad recipe, it will start to lose its crispiness. I recommend keeping it separate and adding it just before you’re ready to serve!
More delicious summer salads you’re going to love!
- The Only Macaroni Salad Recipe You Need >> So creamy. Perfect for a summer BBQ!
- Greek Salad Recipe with Feta Cheese >> I could eat this salad every day forever!
- Cilantro Lime Cucumber Salad >> this was my first viral recipe ever. It’s a good one!
- The Best Potato Salad Recipe >> everyone will ask you for this recipe. I love it so much.
- My Favorite Coleslaw with Lemon and Herbs >> I love coleslaw, and I love it even more with tons of herbs and lemon!
- My Favorite Green Goddess Salad >> all things light and hearty, and GREEN!
- Apple Gorgonzola Salad >> just like the one from Buca di Beppo!
- Strawberry Spinach Salad >> a classic that COMES THROUGH with the strawberries, it’s the best
- Literally the Best Mac and Cheese I’ve Ever Had >> still true to this day.
- Roasted Vegetable Salad with Garbanzos from Kalyn’s Kitchen
- Strawberry Panzanella Salad with Balsamic Glaze from Jessica in the Kitchen
- Marinated Vegetable Salad from Mom Endeavors
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Broccoli Salad with Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
For the salad
- 10-11 strips bacon, cooked
- 2 heads broccoli, about 1 and 1/2 pounds or 5-6 cups
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds, roasted and salted
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion, or more to taste
For the dressing
- 1 & 1/4 cups Miracle Whip OR mayonnaise
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 & 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Start by making the bacon. I highly recommend baking it in the oven. So mush easier, and no splatter. However you want to do it, cook 10-11 slices of bacon to your desired level of crispness, then set aside on paper towels to cool. Once cool, chop into bite size pieces.
- While the bacon cooks, mix together the ingredients for the dressing. In a large bowl add 1 and 1/4 cups Miracle Whip OR Mayonnaise, the zest from 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 and 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. (the cayenne adds flavor but not heat. Don't be scared of it! Just careful :) Whisk all the dressing ingredients together.
- Add the ingredients for the salad to the bowl with the dressing. Start by chopping your broccoli using a chef's knife. I like really small florets, so you don't get any bites that are just giant broccoli. See photos. 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.
- Add all the broccoli to the large bowl. Add 1 cup dried cranberries, 1/3 cup sunflower seeds, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and 1/3 cup chopped red onion. 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.)
- Stir it all together. This salad can be served room temperature or chilled. If you chill it first, let it sit on the counter for about 20 minutes before serving.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge! This salad will keep for about 5 days.
This salad is so-o good. I’m serving it this afternoon if there is any left. Had a taste to make sure everything was okay and can’t stop eating it.
I did leave the vinegar out of the dressing so my husband would eat it and left the onions out, too.
Delish!!!
I made this for the first time for a family picnic. The only thing I had to change was to make a second dressing recipe because it was to dry with a single recipe. Other than that it was easy to make and super tasty. I will definitely make this again.
Absolutely delicious! Thank you for this recipe, it’s the best I’ve ever tasted. ❤️
The best dressing by far!! I substituted turkey bacon, yellow onion, walnuts. Because that’s what I had and is is awesome
Sounds so good, can’t wait to try it! Which is the best to use miracle whip or mayo? Also, has anyone used different seed/nuts? I’m thinking slivered or sliced almonds. Thanks in advance for your inup!
Hi Audrey! I prefer miracle whip but either one is delicious! and I think slivered or sliced almonds would be fabulous! Slivered would be my first choice. Enjoy!
Love this, my new favorite !!!
Will it be OK if no lemon zest ?
Hi Teresa, it won’t have quite the same pop of flavor, but it will still be good! Enjoy!
This is incredibly easy and yummy!!
My Mom has made broccoli salad for years and we all loved it. Hers is very basic. I talked her into letting me make the broccoli salad this time and she’s raving about it! Seriously, best broccoli salad EVER
Isn’t it immensely satisfying when you can win someone over like that?? haha! So glad you loved it Stacey! Thanks for coming back to rate, you are awesome.
What if I don’t have white wine vinegar? Can I use regular white vinegar?
Hi Lisa! Yes that’s the perfect sub :) Enjoy!
Hello I was getting ready to make this and was going to have for co worker’s at lunch tomorrow! Would you wait till in the morning to add dressing?
Hi Frances! You could add the dressing last minute, or add it ahead of time to let the broccoli marinate and soften a bit. Either way will be great! Wait until the last minute to add the bacon and sunflower seeds though. enjoy!
I made this for Sunday Dinner yesterday! And they ate it all. It was delicious. I use blue plate mayonnaise and red wine vinegar qnd pink Himalayan salt. I will be making it again.
Thanks for sharing!
This broc salad is good but I recommend DO NOT put in the salt that it calls for .. ruined a whole bowl of it because of this reason !!!
ROTFL – this pear salad was a side dish a lot when I was a kid, but ours also had a maraschino cherry on top. My brother didn’t like cheese, so mom just put the maraschino cherry on his (yes, in the middle of the mayo.) And to this day, I will still sometimes put a glop of mayo on my diced (canned) pears. It actually tastes really good!
(I think the original recipe may have been in McCalls magazine – I seem to remember a “Pear Beauty Salad” page in her recipe folder. I love this version of broccoli salad – you are so right about chopping the broccoli small – makes all the difference! And I do like the bit of extra salt in it – my family does have a heavy salt palate but without it, we agreed it’s kind of bland, so, while I tried it with out, I ultimately added it in.
Pear Beauty Salad!!! Ahahaha!!! We haven’t tried the maraschino cherries, will have to add that in next time we need a walk down memory lane 😉 So glad you enjoyed the broccoli salad Meredith, thanks for coming back to rate and comment! You are awesome.
This recipe is so good! My husband and I love it and it’s a “go to” for me to bring to parties as a side dish. I do agree with one of the comments below about leaving out any additional salt due to the bacon proving more than enough.
I don’t have white wine vinegar – just white vinegar and apple cider vinegar. Can I use one of those?
Hi Leah, yes any vinegar will do!
I love broccoli salad and just made this receipe. It was very good but I also added some chopped pepperoni. It gives it a little different but delicious flavor.
Ooh great addition Donna, can’t go wrong with pepperoni! Thanks for your input!