I love a good broccoli salad, especially when it has bacon! It’s such a simple, refreshing side dish that works for almost any meal. You can make it creamy, crunchy, and packed with so much flavor.
Today, I’m sharing two easy broccoli salad recipes that are sure to become favorites. Both feature that irresistible bacon goodness, but offer slightly different takes for you to enjoy. Let’s get cooking!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe With Bacon And Cheese
- 2. Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe With Crunchy Bacon
Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe With Bacon And Cheese
This classic broccoli salad is creamy, slightly sweet, and loaded with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for picnics or a simple weeknight side dish.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Broccoli Salad
- Broccoli Florets: Cut your broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces. This makes it easier to eat and helps the dressing coat everything well.
- Crispy Bacon: Cook your bacon until it’s very crisp, then crumble it into small bits. This gives you a nice texture contrast.
- Cheese Choice: Sharp cheddar cheese adds a great tangy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweet dressing.
What You Need for This Broccoli Salad
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make This Easy Broccoli Salad
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
First, chop your fresh broccoli into very small florets. Cook the bacon until it’s nice and crisp, then crumble it into small pieces. Dice the red onion very finely so its flavor blends well.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar until it’s smooth. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste it and adjust if you need to.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
In a large bowl, put the chopped broccoli, crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and diced red onion. Pour the dressing over everything and stir gently until all the ingredients are coated. Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors come together.
📝 Final Note
This broccoli salad tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to blend. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe With Crunchy Bacon
If you love extra texture in your salads, this crunchy broccoli salad with bacon is for you. It’s packed with crisp veggies, crispy bacon bits, and other fun additions that make every bite satisfying.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Crunchy Broccoli Salad
- Perfect Broccoli Cut: Make sure your broccoli florets are cut into very small pieces. This helps them absorb the dressing and provides a better crunch.
- Extra Crunchy Bacon: For this recipe, cook your bacon until it’s extra crispy. The texture contrast is key here!
- Crunchy Add-ins: Sunflower seeds and dried cranberries give this salad extra texture and a hint of sweetness. You can also use slivered almonds.
What You Need for This Crunchy Broccoli Salad
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
- 6 slices bacon, cooked extra crisp and crumbled
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (shelled)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make This Crunchy Broccoli Salad
Step 1: Get Your Ingredients Ready
Start by chopping your broccoli into very small, uniform florets. Cook the bacon until it is extra crispy, then drain it well and crumble it. Dice your red onion very fine.
Step 2: Mix the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar until it’s smooth. Add salt and black pepper to your liking.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli, crumbled bacon, diced red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss everything gently to coat. You can serve this right away for maximum crunch.
📝 Final Note
To keep the salad as crunchy as possible, I suggest adding the dressing just before you plan to serve it. If you need to prep it ahead, store the dry ingredients and dressing separately.
