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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Broccoli Bacon Salad

    Published: June 14, 2021 · Updated: December 5, 2020 · By: Krissy · 8 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This vibrant Fresh Broccoli Salad recipe consists of a tangy creamy dressing, crisp bacon, chewy raisins, crunchy almonds, and flavorful red onions. YUM! This is the perfect recipe to bring to a summer potluck and even makes a great side dish during holiday dinners. Follow the recipe as-is or make the recipe with my recommended substitutions for variation!

    broccoli bacon salad

    Why this recipe works:

    • Different than other recipes. Many broccoli raisin salad recipes call for raw broccoli. This recipe has you blanch the broccoli which maintains the fantastic crunch of raw broccoli while improving the flavor and creating a vibrant green color. Additionally, the red onions are tamed by soaking in water. You'll find a few other reasons why this recipe is better than all the others!
    • Perfect for potlucks. Although this recipe makes a fantastic side dish, especially at holiday dinners or backyard BBQs, broccoli crunch salad is one of the best potluck recipes because everyone loves it.
    • This salad has it all. Healthy vegetables, chewy sweet raisins, almonds for crunch, and a creamy broccoli salad dressing that pulls it all together.
    cold broccoli salad

    Ingredients needed:

    I put a lot of thought into making this the best broccoli salad recipe out there. It was important to strike the right balance with flavor, texture, quantity, and nutrition.

    For the cold broccoli salad:

    • Fresh broccoli - you can buy a bag of broccoli crowns or buy a couple heads of broccoli and break the crowns off yourself
    • Bacon - Any time a recipe uses chopped bacon, I prefer to use bacon ends and pieces because it's less expensive than sliced bacon.
    • Red onion - Slice them real thin and soak them in water to make the flavor a bit more mild.
    • Raisins - Make sure they're fresh so they provide the ultimate chew.
    • Sliced almonds - I recommend blanched slivered almonds.

    For the broccoli salad dressing:

    • Mayonnaise - Even better when you use your own homemade mayonnaise
    • Sour cream - Instead of just using mayo like other recipes, I like to cut it with some sour cream. It provides a great tang and makes it even creamier.
    • Sugar - a little bit of sweet balances everything out
    • Apple Cider Vinegar - this adds just the right kind of tart.
    broccoli raisin salad

    How to make this recipe:

    Full ingredient list and detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

    1. Cook the bacon. Dice the uncooked bacon into small pieces and then cook in a large pan on the stove. When done, remove crisp bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
    2. Soak the red onion in cold water. This step is optional but recommended. It makes the onion slightly more mild while still delivering that fantastic flavor.
    3. Blanch the broccoli. This step is also optional but highly recommended. This will make the fresh broccoli super vibrant green and will also make it easier to eat.
    4. Combine ingredients. Mix the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Add the dressing to the salad ingredients and toss them all together until combined.
    • bacon pieces cooking in pan
      cook the bacon
    • sliced red onions in bowl of water
      soak the sliced onion
    • blanched broccoli in bowl of ice water
      blanch the broccoli
    • broccoli crunch salad ingredients in bowl
      combine ingredients

    Recipe tips for best results:

    • Broccoli: Using frozen broccoli is not recommended with this salad. The quickest and easiest method is to buy a bag of pre-cut pre-washed broccoli crowns. If using a head of broccoli, cut the crowns off in bite sided pieces.
    • Make ahead directions: This broccoli bacon salad recipe can be made ahead by preparing the salad and the dressing separately and then waiting to combine until you're ready to serve.
    • Storage: This salad is best if consumed immediately. Leftovers can be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator, however the broccoli will likely get soft once combined with the dressing.
    • Substitutions:
      • Nuts: Slivered blanched almonds recommended, but I found that shelled raw pistachios added amazing flavor and crunch. You could also use walnuts, pecans, or cashews. I would recommend raw nuts over roasted.
      • Fruit: When making broccoli salad, raisins are most often used, however you can use other kinds of dried fruit such as cranberries (Craisins). You could also use fresh fruit such as apple or pear.
      • Red onion: I think thinly sliced red onion provides the best flavor, especially after it has been tamed by soaking in cold water, but you could substitute with shallots, scallions, or sweet Vidalia onion.
    broccoli bacon salad recipe

    Other great broccoli recipes:

    Love broccoli recipes? Then you'll definitely want to try these:

    • Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Tater Tot Casserole
    • Roasted Broccoli
    • Skillet Beef and Broccoli
    • Broccoli Tots
    • One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
    • Roasted Garlic Broccolini
    • Easy Broccoli Slaw
    • Chicken Divan
    • Shrimp Stir Fry

    If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!

    You can also follow along on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes to satisfy any foodie craving!

    easy broccoli salad

    Fresh Broccoli Salad

    Fresh Broccoli Salad has so much flavor because of it's tangy creamy dressing, crisp bacon, chewy raisins, crunch almonds, and flavorful onions. YUM!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!

    CLICK TO PLAY RECIPE VIDEO

    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 minute
    Scale: 12 people
    Recipe Created By: Krissy Allori

    Ingredients

    Salad:

    • ½ pound bacon (chopped into very small pieces (about ¾ cup cooked))
    • 2 heads fresh broccoli (cut into bite sized pieces with stems discarded (I had about 10 cups))
    • ½ red onion (sliced thin)
    • ¾ cup raisins (I used half raisins, half dried cherries)
    • ¾ cup sliced almonds (I used half almonds, half pistachios )

    Dressing:

    • ¾ cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • ¼ cup white sugar
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

    Instructions

    • Place bacon pieces in a heavy bottom skillet or dutch oven and cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Once the bacon starts to brown and the oil starts to bubble, reduce heat to medium. Continue to lower heat and stir bacon until all of the fat has rendered and it is fully cooked. Drain and set aside.
      This wonderfully delicious package of apple wood smoked bacon ends and pieces is exactly the same product as sliced bacon, but it is much cheaper and can be used in a wide variety of recipes.
    • Cut the broccoli into bite-size pieces. Prepare a large bowl of ice water. Boil a large pot of water and cook the broccoli for about 30 seconds and immediately transfer to the ice water. Drain and set aside.
    • Cut the onion into very thin slices. This step is optional but encouraged: soak onion in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes. This will make it less intense but still give you that great onion flavor.
      red onions soaking in bowl of water
    • To prepare salad, combine blanced broccoli with cooked bacon, raisins, almonds, and onions.
      broccoli crunch salad ingredients in bowl
    • Prepare the dressing by mixing the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar and vinegar together until smooth.
    • Add the dressing to the salad. Toss to combine.

    Notes

    • Broccoli: Using frozen broccoli is not recommended with this salad. The quickest and easiest method is to buy a bag of pre-cut pre-washed broccoli crowns. If using a head of broccoli, cut the crowns off in bite sided pieces.
    • Make ahead directions: This broccoli bacon salad recipe can be made ahead by preparing the salad and the dressing separately and then waiting to combine until you're ready to serve.
    • Storage: This salad is best if consumed immediately. Leftovers can be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator, however the broccoli will likely get soft once combined with the dressing.
    • Substitutions:
      • Nuts: Slivered blanched almonds recommended, but I found that shelled raw pistachios added amazing flavor and crunch. You could also use walnuts, pecans, or cashews. I would recommend raw nuts over roasted.
      • Fruit: When making broccoli salad, raisins are most often used, however you can use other kinds of dried fruit such as cranberries (Craisins). You could also use fresh fruit such as apple or pear.
      • Red onion: I think thinly sliced red onion provides the best flavor, especially after it has been tamed by soaking in cold water, but you could substitute with shallots, scallions, or sweet Vidalia onion.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 509mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 675IU | Vitamin C: 91.2mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1.4mg
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    This recipe was originally published in July 2019 and has been updated with helpful information and recipe tips. Don't worry - the recipe hasn't changed!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy Kendall

      June 15, 2021 at 11:21 am

      5 stars
      This is one of my very favorite salads! I like your tips and changes. Very good point on soaking the onion in water. I will try to lighten this up using low fat mayonnaise and sour cream. This salad is also good with sunflower seeds and Craisins in place of the raisins.

      Reply
      • Krissy

        June 17, 2021 at 7:14 am

        Love the sunflower seed recommendation, Kathy! I love them in any kind of salad.

        Reply
    2. Lisa Scott

      June 15, 2021 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite recipes. I don't like almonds and use sunflower seeds instead. They really add a nice flavor and compliment the other ingredients nicely.

      Reply
    3. Neh

      July 20, 2019 at 10:10 pm

      Girl this salad sounds so yum and looks super vibrant at the same time! I love my greens so much and you have such wonderful broccoli recipes on the blog, headed to the next one!

      Reply
    4. Tayo

      July 20, 2019 at 8:33 pm

      5 stars
      I make this all the time and it's always a huge hit! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    5. jordan

      July 20, 2019 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      Broccoli salad is perfect for summer! Will be making this soon.

      Reply
    6. Cliona

      July 20, 2019 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a great sald recipe! I love broccoli and it's just so fresh, flavourful and simple

      Reply
    7. Denise

      July 20, 2019 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite salads! It can be enjoyed year round and is always a good idea!

      Reply

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