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Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad

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This Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad is anything but routine. With savory bacon and a tangy dressing, it’s perfect for any picnic or potluck. So go ahead and take a bite—you won’t be disappointed.

If you enjoy easy no-cook side salads then this is the recipe for you. Not only is this easy broccoli salad quick to make, but it’s also full of fresh broccoli!

Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad in a glass bowl.
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Broccoli Salad with Craisins

One of the biggest benefits of broccoli is that it is loaded with a wide array of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. If you want a delicious salad that packs a nutrient bang then this salad is just what you are seeking.

Why I Love This Recipe

This Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad is simple to make for a delicious side dish or a potluck.

  • Ready in under 30 minutes
  • Easy to make
  • Always a hit at parties
  • Perfect for picky eaters

If you love fresh and easy salad recipes you may enjoy this Creamy Mexican Corn Salad recipe.

Overhead horizontal shot of Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad in a glass bowl.
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Ingredients

This broccoli bacon and cheese salad only requires a few simple ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store. You may already have some of them on hand.

  • Broccoli
  • Diced Red Onion
  • Shelled Sunflower Seeds
  • Dried Cranberries
  • Bacon (Cooked crispy)
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese

For the dressing

  • Mayonnaise
  • Sugar
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Lemon Juice 
Ingredients used to make Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad.

Substitutions

Vinegar: White vinegar can be used in place of apple cider vinegar in a pinch.

Onions: Sweet onions make a delicious swap for red onions in this salad.

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a handful of kitchen tools to help you make this family-friendly side dish recipe.

How to Make Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad

This Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad is ready in under 30 minutes. It is always a hit at parties.

Step 1: Chop the broccoli

Finely chop broccoli and place in a large bowl.

Chopped Broccoli in a glass bowl.

Step 2: Add in onions, sunflower seeds, cranberries, and cheese

Add in onions, sunflower seeds, cranberries, and cheddar cheese. Crumble bacon and add it to the bowl. Stir ingredients until everything is well mixed.

Onions, sunflower seeds, cranberries, bacon and cheddar cheese added onto the chopped Broccoli ready for mixing.

Step 3: Make the dressing

In a medium-size bowl combine mayo, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice. Stir until well mixed.

Mayo, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice combined in a small bowl to make the dressing.

Step 4: Mix the salad and dressing together

Pour dressing over broccoli mixture, fold in until everything is evenly coated.

Step 5: Cover and refrigerate

Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. 

Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad in a glass bowl.

Variations / Options / Add-Ins

Looking for a way to personalize this recipe? Here are my favorite tried and true swaps.

Protein: Bacon tastes amazing in this recipe, but you can also use diced ham.

Sweetener: On a low-carb diet? Use your favorite low-carb sweetener in place of sugar.

Vegetables: Add your favorite diced vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and celery for more flavor.

Close up shot of Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad in a glass bowl.

Serving Suggestions

Wondering when to serve this easy side salad recipe? Here is a list of what I like to pair with my broccoli salad.

Close up overhead shot of Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad in a glass bowl.

Tips

  • I like to chop my broccoli up finely and use shredded cheese, but you can leave the broccoli and cheese in larger chunks.
  • This easy salad is great made up to 24 hours in advance, however, the sauce will thin out the longer that it sits.
  • If you plan on making this for a party or potluck, it may be best to wait until the serving time before adding the dressing.

FAQs

Do you have questions about this Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad recipe?

How to store

Simply store in a sealed container in the fridge. Keeps up to 24 hours in the fridge once combined.

How long can I store the dressing?

If you want to meal prep this recipe, keep the dressing separate from the salad, and store for up to five days.

Is broccoli salad keto-friendly?

Broccoli salad can be keto-friendly if you use a low-carb sweetener like Stevia or Swerve.

Horizontal shot of Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad in a glass bowl.

More Side Salad Recipes

If you like side salads, give these recipes a try:

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📋 Recipe

Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad

Corinne Schmitt
This Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad is perfect for any picnic or potluck. 
5 from 19 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 1128 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups Broccoli finely chopped
  • 1/3 Cup Red Onion diced
  • 1/3 Cup Sunflower Seeds shelled
  • ½ Cup Dried Cranberries
  • 1 package Bacon Cooked crispy
  • ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese shredded

For the dressing

  • 1 Cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ Cup Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice

Instructions
 

  • Finely chop broccoli and place in a large bowl.
  • Add in onions, sunflower seeds, cranberries, and cheddar cheese. Crumble bacon and add it to the bowl. Stir ingredients until everything is well mixed.
  • In a medium size bowl combine mayo, sugar, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. Stir until well mixed.
  • Pour dressing over broccoli mixture, fold in until everything is evenly coated.
  • Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 1128kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 26gFat: 97gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 35gMonounsaturated Fat: 32gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 1237mgPotassium: 923mgFiber: 7gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 1359IUVitamin C: 165mgCalcium: 211mgIron: 3mg
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Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!

A collage of 4 images showing the process on how to make Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad.

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