Broccoli Salad With Bacon and Cheese
My easy broccoli salad is packed with smoky bacon, cheese, and crunchy sunflower seeds. This easy side dish requires just 15 minutes of prep and disappears so fast at picnics.
You will always find delicious side dishes like Instant Pot baked beans, frog eye salad, and Caesar pasta salad on my plate at picnics. This broccoli salad with bacon and cheese is another favorite. It is tangy, crunchy, and full of flavor. It turns picky eaters into broccoli lovers! Everyone always asks me for the recipe. Best of all its ready in no time, no oven required.
Why This Recipe Works: A Sprinkle of Food Science
- Sugar Water Soak: This softens them just enough. They are still crisp and tender but not bitter or woody.
- Mild Not Harsh Onion: We soak our onion in cold water to make it milder. You get flavor without the burn.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Broccoli: Cut into small bite size florets to make it easier to eat and to allow the dressing to soak in. Avoid frozen broccoli.
- Mayonnaise: I prefer Dukes. Avoid Miracle Whip which can be overly sweet.
- Cheese: I like sharp cheddar but any variety will do. Pre-shredded varieties work fine here.
- Red Onion: Sweet onion or shallot also work great!
- Bacon: If I am short on time I like using microwave bacon. (Hormel Black Label is my go to.
- Sunflower Kernels: Look for the kernels out of the shell these near the nuts.
Krystle's Tips: Steal My Culinary School Secrets
- Add Toppings Last: Fold in bacon and sunflower seeds just before serving to keep them crispy.
- Drain Broccoli Well: This avoids a soggy salad.
Serve With
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📖 Recipe
Broccoli Salad With Bacon
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Ingredients
- 1 Pound Broccoli Chopped
- 2 Tablespoons White Sugar
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- ⅓ Cup Hot Water
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- ½ Red Onion Diced
- 12 Slices Bacon Cooked Crisply
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¼ Cup Sunflower Kernels
- ¼ Cup Dried Cranberries
Instructions
- Place onion in an ice bath for 10-20 minutes.
- In a medium bowl mix sugar and hot water until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Pour the water/sugar mixture over the broccoli.
- Cool slightly. Stir in mayonnaise and vinegar.
- Fold in cheese, onion, and cranberries. Top with sunflower kernels and bacon just before serving.
- Chill for 2-3 hours before serving.
Nutrition
This Bacon Broccoli Salad recipe nails the balance. This is a hearty and satisfying salad!
this broccoli salad with bacon is amazing! such a great combination of flavors.
This broccoli salad was so tasty! The smoky bacon and cheese paired perfectly with the crunchy sunflower seeds! Such a great combo of flavors and textures.
This broccoli salad with bacon is amazing!! Such a yummy side.
SO delicious!! It's going to be my go-to recipe for pitch in dinners in the coming months.
Tastes just like my Mom's recipe.
I was a vegetarian for a year in high school and didn't like vegetables. Go figure... these days I love and eat ALL my veggies (and meat, too) so this bacon and broccoli salad sounds fantastic!
I'm not the hugest broccoli fan, but if there is BACON involved, well...sign me up! Looks delicious 🙂
Thanks Denise! I hate to be cliche but bacon really does make everything better doesn't it? 😉
I have to try this!