This easy Bacon Broccoli Salad is loaded with fresh broccoli, sharp cheddar, and crispy bacon tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. Made with just 6 ingredients, it’s a crowd-pleasing side for BBQs, potlucks, and parties that you can make a day ahead.
I’ve been making this Bacon Broccoli Salad for over 20 years, and it never disappoints.
Serve it with my air fryer roasted chicken recipe for an easy meal with juicy chicken and crispy, golden skin.
Recipe Summary: Bacon Broccoli Salad
- ✅ Recipe Name: Bacon Broccoli Salad
- 🕒 Ready In: 35 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 12 (easy to scale)
- 🍽 Calories: 415 per serving
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Broccoli, bacon, sharp cheddar, mayonnaise
- 📖 Dietary Info: Make-ahead friendly, gluten-free
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Crisp broccoli, smoky bacon, and sharp cheddar are tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing for an easy, crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and summer parties!
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This bacon broccoli salad has been one of my most requested recipes among friends and family for years, and for good reason. Crisp fresh broccoli, plenty of smoky bacon, and freshly grated sharp cheddar are tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing for a side dish that’s crunchy, cheesy, and completely irresistible. If you’re looking for a light and healthy salad, this isn’t it: we’re using the word “salad” pretty loosely here!
It’s especially good for cookouts and parties alongside other easy sides like my Hawaiian style macaroni salad, baked beans using canned beans, or fresh cucumber feta salad.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick and easy. This Bacon Broccoli Salad comes together quickly with simple ingredients and minimal prep.
- Loaded with bacon and cheese. Plenty of crispy bacon and sharp cheddar make every bite savory, smoky, and cheesy.
- Perfectly crisp and crunchy. Cutting the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets gives the salad the perfect texture and makes it easy to eat.
- Great for making ahead. Make this salad a day in advance and let it chill until you’re ready to serve.
- A proven crowd favorite. I’ve been making this Bacon Broccoli Salad for over 20 years, and it’s always one of the first sides to disappear at parties and cookouts.
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Ingredients
- Broccoli florets. I like to chop off most of the stems and cut the florets into small, bite-sized pieces. This gives the Bacon Broccoli Salad the perfect crisp, crunchy texture and makes it much easier to eat. Save those broccoli stems for another use if you like!
- Bacon. You’ll use just shy of a pound for plenty of smoky, crispy bacon in every bite. I like to cut it into small pieces with kitchen shears before cooking for easy salad assembly. For another bacon-packed side, try my hominy salad recipe.
- Sharp cheddar cheese. Freshly shred the cheddar yourself for the best flavor and texture. Sharp cheddar adds just the right amount of tanginess to the creamy salad.
- Mayonnaise. Both regular mayonnaise and Kewpie mayo work great in this recipe, so use whichever you prefer. If you love creamy mayo-based sides, try my Hawaiian style macaroni salad next!
- White vinegar. Plain distilled white vinegar adds the tanginess that balances the rich mayo, bacon, and cheddar.
- Sugar. A little sugar balances the vinegar and gives the creamy dressing its classic sweet-and-tangy flavor. Regular white sugar or organic cane sugar both work well.
See the recipe card at the end for the full list of ingredients with the quantities.
Variations
| Add red onion | Finely diced red onion adds a little extra crunch and sharpness. |
| Add sunflower seeds | Toss in roasted sunflower seeds for even more salty crunch. |
| Add dried cranberries | A handful of dried cranberries adds a sweet and tart contrast to the smoky bacon and sharp cheddar- or try my broccoli salad with cranberries for a lighter salad. |
| Try another cheese | Swap the sharp cheddar for extra-sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack. |
| Use Kewpie mayo | Regular mayonnaise and Kewpie mayo both work great in this Bacon Broccoli Salad. Kewpie gives the dressing a slightly richer, more savory flavor (which is my personal favorite over years of making it). |
| Add nuts | Chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds add extra texture and crunch. |
How to make Bacon Broccoli Salad
- Step 1: Chop the bacon into small pieces and cook in a large frying pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until crisp-around 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.
- Step 3: White the bacon cooks, cut the broccoli into small bite-sized florets, removing most of the stem for best finished salad texture.
- Step 4: Whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar until smooth to make the dressing.
- Step 5: Add the drained crisp bacon, shredded cheddar, broccoli, and dressing to a large bowl.
- Step 6: Stir to combine, until all broccoli is well coated. For bets flavor, refrigerate for at least one hour prior to serving.
Expert Tips
- Keep the broccoli bite-sized. Chop off most of the thick stems and cut the florets into small, bite-sized pieces. This gives the Bacon Broccoli Salad the best texture and makes it much easier to eat.
- Dry the broccoli well. After washing, make sure the broccoli is completely dry so excess water doesn't thin out the creamy dressing.
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Crispy bacon holds up better in the dressing and gives you that smoky crunch in every bite.
- Grate your own cheese. Freshly grated sharp cheddar has better flavor and a softer texture than pre-shredded cheese.
- Give it time to chill. Let the salad refrigerate for at least an hour before serving so the dressing can coat the broccoli and the flavors have time to come together. Stir well before serving so it's nice and creamy.
- Save some bacon for the top. Hold back a little crispy bacon and sprinkle it over the salad just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
Bacon Broccoli Salad FAQs
A creamy, sweet and tangy dressing works perfectly with Bacon Broccoli Salad. This recipe uses a simple combination of mayonnaise, white vinegar, and sugar to balance the smoky bacon and sharp cheddar.
This Bacon Broccoli Salad is made with fresh broccoli florets, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, white vinegar, and sugar. Just 6 simple ingredients!
The key is cutting the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets with most of the thick stems removed. This gives the salad a better texture and helps every bite get coated with the creamy dressing. Letting the salad chill before serving also gives the flavors time to come together.
If you tried this Bacon Broccoli Salad or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
Bacon Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chopped fresh broccoli florets and ground stalks (in food processor)
- 12 oz bacon, chopped
- 3.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonaise
- ¼ cup white vinegar, plus 1 tbsp
- 2 tablespoon sugar, plus 1 tsp
Instructions
- Chop bacon into ¼” pieces and cook in a large frying pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until crisp-around 15 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
- While the bacon cooks, cut the broccoli florets away from the thick stalks, removing most of the stems. Chop the florets into small, bite-sized pieces for the best texture and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with a whisk until well incorporated and smooth. Transfer to the bowl with the broccoli, drained bacon, and shredded cheddar.
- Toss all ingredients until all broccoli is well coated. For best flavor, refrigerate for at least one hour prior to serving.
Sharon says
I have been making this Bacon Broccoli Salad for over 20 years, and it has never once disappointed! And it really takes 6 ingredients and transforms them into something truly special.
Bruce S- says
Another triumphant recipe from Sharon. This was super easy to make and will go a long way. Used beef bacon. The cheese and broccoli, plus the great dressing, plus the chewy nuggets of bacon - a winner!
Doug says
Just made this last night. Jawn was Bangin
Jill says
Love this! So quick and easy and delicious!!!!
Nikki Reilly says
Made this tonight and it was delicious! I was scared about the dressing but it was so yummy! Sweet and tangy, definitely making again. I love your site??
Sharon Farnell says
Thank you so much!! So glad you enjoyed the recipe and the site 🙂