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    Home > Blog > Salads > Broccoli Salad Recipe (with Bacon)

    Broccoli Salad Recipe (with Bacon)

    by Jenny Park · Published: Aug 9, 2022 · Modified: Sep 15, 2022

    Jump to Recipe
    A deliciously crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon that's perfect for summer picnics, bbq's or just for general on the go! The blend of sweet, tart, salty, and creamy flavors really make this simple salad so delicious!
    Broccoli salad recipe in a bowl.
    Broccoli salad recipe in a bowl.
    Broccoli salad recipe in a bowl.
    A broccoli salad recipe in a bowl with a spoon.
    Broccoli salad recipe in a bowl.

    Our Broccoli Salad with bacon recipe is the perfect summer picnic dish (also great for potlucks)! Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it’s crunchy, salty, sweet, creamy, and slightly tart – a real treat for your tastebuds!

    I also love this recipe because it holds well for several days and the longer it sits, the more the dressing infuses into the broccoli florets! Yum!

    How to Make Our Broccoli Salad with Bacon

    Process

    Broccoli salad ingredients on a kitchen table.

    DRESSING

    1. Place all dressing ingredients into a small mixing bowl.
    2. Whisk Together.
    Broccoli salad dressing ingredients in a bowl.
    Broccoli salad dressing ingredients mixed in a bowl with a whisk.

    SALAD ASSEMBLY

    1. Place broccoli pieces into a large bowl and top with dressing.
    2. Fold together until fully combined.
    Broccoli in a bowl with dressing to make broccoli salad.
    Broccoli salad mixed with dressing in a bowl.
    1. Add remaining ingredients.
    2. Fold together until completely combined. Adjust seasonings as needed. Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Give salad a good toss before serving.
    Broccoli salad ingredients in a bowl.
    Broccoli salad ingredients in a bowl with a spoon.
    Close up on a broccoli salad recipe in a bowl.

    Tips and Tricks for Broccoli Salad Success

    Our easy broccoli salad recipe is truly very simple, but there are a few things we recommend to ensure you have the best broccoli salad with bacon ever!

    • Cut the broccoli into small, bite sized pieces. It makes all the difference in the world. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve gotten broccoli salad at the market and the florets are kept whole and huge! If the pieces are too big it makes it very difficult to eat and way less enjoyable.
    • Don’t be afraid to use the stalks, they’re delicious! Broccoli stalks are just as nutritious as broccoli florets and provide a really great crunch to the overall salad.
    • If making the broccoli salad recipe over 1 day in advance, don’t add the cashews until just before serving. This will ensure the cashews don’t get soggy from the dressing and keep their great, crunchy texture!
    • Don’t skip out on the Zante currants! They provide tiny bursts of tart flavor to our broccoli salad recipe which compliments the creamy dressing so well!
    A broccoli salad recipe in a bowl with a spoon.

    Variations for Our Broccoli Salad Recipe

    We love how simple this salad is and all the different flavors going on in it, but every now and then we like to switch it up. Our favorite variations and substitutions are:

    • Swap the cashews out for sunflower seeds or sliced almonds! The flavor of sunflower seeds are also really delicious when used in our recipe. I also like the smaller crunchy bits distributed throughout the salad.
    • Use plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a healthier dressing alternative. You still get a deliciously creamy dressing, but it’s just a little better for you.
    • Add some diced red onion! The red onion provides a slightly sweet and acidic flavor that also goes really well with the broccoli and bacon.
    • Replace the Zante currants with raisins or dried cranberries. I know I just mentioned above not to skip out on the dried currants, but if you’re unable to find them or they’re too tart for your palate raisins and dried cranberries (which are still a bit tart) are a great alternative!
    • Omit the bacon for a vegetarian friendly option; or replace it with a vegan “bacon”.

    Make Ahead Instructions

    Our broccoli salad with bacon can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. Store the broccoli salad in an airtight container until ready to use. Toss salad together a couple times before serving.

    If making the salad more than a day ahead of time, hold off on adding the cashews until you’re ready to serve it. This will prevent the cashews from getting soggy.

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    Broccoli salad recipe in a bowl with a spoon in it.

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    Broccoli salad recipe in a bowl.

    Broccoli Salad Recipe (with Bacon)

    5 from 5 votes
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    A deliciously crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon that's perfect for summer picnics, bbq's or just for general on the go! The blend of sweet, tart, salty, and creamy flavors really make this simple salad so delicious!
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Chill Time: 1 hour hr
    Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Servings: 6

      INGREDIENTS  

    creamy homemade dressing

    • ⅔ cup mayonnaise
    • 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
    • 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
    • ½ teaspoon superfine sugar (granulated is fine)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper

    broccoli salad

    • 2 heads broccoli cut into bite sized pieces (
    • 6 strips cooked bacon chopped
    • 1 cup chopped, dry roasted cashews
    • ⅓ cup Zante currants
    • 1 green onion, thinly sliced

      INSTRUCTIONS  

    dressing

    • Place all dressing ingredients into a small mixing bowl.
    • Whisk Together.

    salad assembly

    • Place broccoli florets into a large mixing bowl and top with dressing.
    • Fold together until fully combined.
    • Add remaining ingredients.
    • Fold together until completely combined. Adjust seasonings s needed. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Give salad a good toss before serving.

      NOTES  

    Tips and Tricks for Broccoli Salad Success
    Our easy broccoli salad recipe is truly very simple, but there are a few things we recommend to ensure you have the best broccoli salad with bacon ever!
    • Cut the broccoli into small, bite sized pieces. It makes all the difference in the world. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve gotten broccoli salad at the market and the florets are kept whole and huge! If the pieces are too big it makes it very difficult to eat and way less enjoyable.
    • Don’t be afraid to use the stalks, they’re delicious! Broccoli stalks are just as nutritious as broccoli florets and provide a really great crunch to the overall salad.
    • If making the broccoli salad recipe over 1 day in advance, don’t add the cashews until just before serving. This will ensure the cashews don’t get soggy from the dressing and keep their great, crunchy texture!
    • Don’t skip out on the Zante currants! They provide tiny bursts of tart flavor to our broccoli salad recipe which compliments the creamy dressing so well!
    Variations for Our Broccoli Salad Recipe
    We love how simple this salad is and all the different flavors going on in it, but every now and then we like to switch it up. Our favorite variations and substitutions are:
    • Swap the cashews out for sunflower seeds or sliced almonds! The flavor of sunflower seeds are also really delicious when used in our recipe. I also like the smaller crunchy bits distributed throughout the salad.
    • Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a healthier dressing alternative. You still get a deliciously creamy dressing, but it’s just a little better for you.
    • Add some diced red onion! The red onion provides a slightly sweet and acidic flavor that also goes really well with the broccoli and bacon.
    • Replace the Zante currants with raisins or dried cranberries. I know I just mentioned above not to skip out on the dried currants, but if you’re unable to find them or they’re too tart for your palate raisins and dried cranberries (which are still a bit tart) are a great alternative!
    • Omit the bacon for a vegetarian friendly option; or replace it with a vegan “bacon”.
    Make Ahead Instructions
    Our broccoli salad with bacon can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. Store the broccoli salad in an airtight container until ready to use. Toss salad together a couple times before serving.
    If making the salad more than a day ahead of time, hold off on adding the cashews until you’re ready to serve it. This will prevent the cashews from getting soggy.
    Calories: 435kcal Carbohydrates: 28g Protein: 13g Fat: 33g Saturated Fat: 6g Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g Monounsaturated Fat: 12g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 18mg Sodium: 588mg Potassium: 892mg Fiber: 6g Sugar: 10g Vitamin A: 1310IU Vitamin C: 182mg Calcium: 120mg Iron: 3mg
    CUISINE: American
    KEYWORD: broccoli salad with bacon
    COURSE: Salad, sides

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    August 9, 2022 / 16 Comments

    About Jenny Park

    Jenny Park is half of Spoon Fork Bacon. She is also a food stylist and recipe developer. One of her favorite foods is donuts. #sfbJENNY

    Previous Post: < Previous Post Coconut Shrimp
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    Reader Interactions

    August 9, 2022 / 16 Comments

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    1. Dawna

      August 11, 2022 at 10:40 am

      What can you use instead of cashews?

      Reply
      • Jenny Park

        August 11, 2022 at 11:26 am

        Hi Dawna! We give a couple alternatives in the Variations section of our post above. Some of our favorite alternatives for cashews are sunflower seeds or sliced almonds :)

        Reply
    2. Mate Mate

      August 10, 2022 at 4:57 am

      I was looking for a salad recipe and you give me the delicious and crunchy one.

      Reply
    3. Lind

      April 01, 2015 at 3:29 am

      Hi Terry & Jenny! I’m loving your recipes! I don’t have apple cider vinegar or mustard, will the taste be significantly different without the two? Else, what can I substitute these two ingredients with? :)

      Reply
      • Jenny Park

        April 06, 2015 at 2:18 pm

        If you have white wine vinegar that should work too…you just want a little something to cut through the richness of the mayo

        Reply
    4. The slow pace

      August 06, 2014 at 3:12 am

      Ñami!!! Yesterday I bought a broccoli, though I didn’t know what to do with it… I don’t really like it but I want to be healthy and all… Now I know what to do with it!
      xx,
      e.
      http://www.theslowpace.com

      Reply
    5. Andj

      August 05, 2014 at 10:29 am

      Such a pretty salad! I love the currants and cashews in there, very creative :)

      Reply
    6. Rachel Cooks

      August 03, 2014 at 12:52 pm

      Love this take on broccoli salad — yum!

      Reply
    7. Linda

      July 30, 2014 at 2:46 pm

      This is a slightly different twist to the broccoli salad I make and love, so I am anxious to try yours to compare.

      Reply
    8. Christina @ but i'm hungry

      July 30, 2014 at 9:42 am

      Love this take on broccoli salad. Ever tried this with dried cranberries in place of the currants? I never have currants in the house when I want them!

      Reply
      • Jenny Park

        July 30, 2014 at 9:52 am

        Yep, you can totally swap them out :)

        Reply
    9. The Chardonnay Kitchen

      July 30, 2014 at 8:23 am

      This is everything I love in a salad. My mom used to make a version of this with raisins and pine nuts, but I love the cashew and currants idea!!!

      Reply
    10. yoonie

      July 30, 2014 at 8:20 am

      Hi – is mustard supposed to be listed in the ingredients? I see it in the photos I think.

      Reply
      • Jenny Park

        July 30, 2014 at 8:45 am

        yep, it totally is…adding it now..thanks for catching that!

        Reply
    11. Libby

      July 30, 2014 at 7:50 am

      This is definitely different than the broccoli salad that I’m used to but I can’t WAIT to try it!!

      Reply
    12. Todd

      July 30, 2014 at 7:49 am

      Once I started making broccoli this way, I could never go back!! I mean…BACON!

      Reply

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