The BEST Broccoli Salad (with Bacon & Cheese!)

This Broccoli Salad is a scrumptious mix of crisp, recent broccoli, savory bacon, and creamy dressing, creating the proper stability of flavors. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish that’s very best for any event, from weeknight dinners to summer season BBQs and potlucks. Smoky, crunchy, and completely satisfying!

Made with cheese, raisins, and sunflower seeds, this actually is the BEST broccoli bacon salad recipe! It may be prepped prematurely too!

Simple Broccoli Bacon Salad with Cheese

Once I was relationship my husband, he stunned me one evening with an incredible residence cooked meal. He picked me up after I had attended a bridal bathe and took me again to his condominium in order that we might work on our Anatomy and Physiology lab. Once I walked in, he had made steak, rolls, loaded baked potatoes, and Broccoli and Cheese Sauce. I believed, “Oh no!! he has no thought how a lot I hate broccoli.”

I used to be so impressed with every little thing that I didn’t wish to harm his emotions, so I dug in. IT. WAS. DELICIOUS. Oh, I nonetheless can style it. That was the primary meals he had ever cooked for me and he blew me away. Every little thing was improbable, together with the broccoli.

This man has modified my life in some ways, however undoubtedly within the meals division that evening. From that evening onwards, I began attempting all types of latest issues that Cade cherished (however by no means Sushi. I nonetheless don’t eat that although he loves it and frequently tries to persuade me).

What’s Wanted for Chilly Broccoli Bacon Salad?

To make the broccoli bacon salad, you’ll want:

• Broccoli Florets
• Golden Raisins
• Craisins (dried cranberries)
• Sunflower Seeds
• Cooked Bacon
• Frozen Peas
• Pink Onion

And to make the easy salad dressing, you’ll want:

• Mayonnaise
• Granulated Sugar
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Shredded Colby Jack Cheese

The measurements for all of the substances may be discovered within the recipe card down under. Preserve scrolling for all the main points!

How you can Make Broccoli Bacon Salad

This chilly broccoli salad comes collectively shortly! Listed here are the essential steps to creating this recipe:

1. In a big bowl, stir collectively the broccoli, onion, raisins, craisins, and frozen peas.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk collectively the straightforward salad dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the broccoli combination and toss nicely to coat.
4. Simply earlier than serving, add the crumbled crispy bacon and sunflower seeds and toss to evenly distribute.

The recipe card under may be printed or saved and accommodates the directions and all the knowledge you want.

Watch This Broccoli Bacon Salad Be Made…

Do You Cook dinner Broccoli for This Salad?

The reply is sure or no. The reality is, it’s fully as much as you! On this broccoli bacon salad recipe, we just like the crunch of the uncooked broccoli and the tangy dressing does assist to melt issues up a bit.

However if you wish to give it a fast blanch, add a bit water to a pot with broccoli and place the lid on. Steam for a few minutes, simply till it turns vibrant inexperienced after which shortly drain and toss in a bowl of ice water. Simply make certain you drain it nicely and let it cool earlier than tossing it within the bowl with the substances.

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?

No, even should you solely thawed the frozen broccoli however didn’t prepare dinner it, I’m afraid it’d be far too gentle for this broccoli bacon salad recipe. Recent broccoli florets are the best way to go right here!

How you can Retailer Broccoli Bacon Salad

Retailer any leftovers within the fridge in an hermetic container for 2-3 days, however ensure you cowl it or it can dry out.

Suggestions for Making the Finest Broccoli Bacon Salad

One thing I like about this broccoli bacon salad with bacon and cheese is that it’s very easy so as to add no matter additional additions you want: peas, slivered almonds, carrots, hard-boiled eggs, olives, something goes!

Chop the broccoli florets into small bite-sized items. You need the items to sufficiently small to slot in one chunk with different salad elements.

Additionally be aware that in a pinch you possibly can really use coleslaw dressing as an alternative of our selfmade broccoli salad dressing.

If you wish to lighten the dressing up a bit, use plain Greek yogurt as an alternative of the mayo.

Lastly, we like to sit back our broccoli bacon salad for a bit after which toss within the bacon proper earlier than serving, however generally life occurs and we have to make it and serve it instantly so all of it will get stirred collectively.

What to Serve with this Traditional Broccoli Salad Recipe

There aren’t many issues that this salad doesn’t go together with. Any grilled, smoked, or traditional consolation meals dish goes to be a fantastic choice! Listed here are a number of concepts:

I’ve by no means introduced this broccoli salad to a potluck or BBQ the place it hasn’t been the star of the meal. It checks each field for texture and taste! It’s a nice choice for a vacation facet dish too…Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas…sure!

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