Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese Recipe
This Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese is a delightful combination of crunchy broccoli florets, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect for potlucks, weekend lunches, or any season, it’s easy to prepare with no cooking required except for crisping the bacon. The salad is balanced with the acidity of apple cider vinegar and sweetness from sugar, creating a flavorful and satisfying side dish that gets better when made ahead and chilled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 5 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut into small bite-size pieces
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
Dressing Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Cook 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain the bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease and crumble once cooled.
- Prep the Broccoli: Cut 5 cups of fresh broccoli florets into small bite-size pieces. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry completely with paper towels to avoid soggy salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons sugar until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped broccoli, crumbled bacon, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup diced red onion, and 1/3 cup sunflower seeds.
- Add Dressing and Toss: Pour the creamy dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the dressing soak in. Serve cold for best taste.
Notes
- For a softer broccoli texture, blanch the florets in boiling water for 30 seconds and then cool quickly in ice water before drying.
- Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavor and texture.
- Use pre-cooked bacon bits for faster preparation, but freshly cooked bacon offers the best flavor and texture.
- Add raisins or dried cranberries for extra sweetness if desired.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for mayo to make a lighter dressing.
- Try different nuts such as chopped almonds or walnuts instead of sunflower seeds.
- Cheese variations like Colby Jack or pepper jack add a flavorful twist.
- Add cooked chicken to turn this salad into a full meal.
- Prepare the dressing and chop ingredients a day ahead for convenience. Keep bacon separate until just before serving to maintain crispness.
Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, cheese salad, creamy broccoli salad, potluck salad, easy lunch recipe, make-ahead salad
