If you’ve been searching for a vibrant, irresistible salad that balances crisp veggies, smoky crunch, and a touch of sweet tartness, look no further than this Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe. It’s a personal favorite that manages to be refreshingly light while packing a delightful depth of flavor thanks to the combination of fresh broccoli florets, crispy bacon, tart cranberries, and toasted walnuts all brought together in a luscious, creamy dressing. Perfect for everything from summer barbecues to cozy weeknight dinners, this salad’s bright colors and bold textures will quickly turn it into a go-to dish you’ll want to share with everyone you know.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential for achieving the perfect balance in this Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe. Each one adds a unique note, from the crispy, smoky bacon bits to the sweet crunch of cranberries and the creaminess of the dressing blending Greek yogurt and mayonnaise.
- Broccoli florets: Choose firm, fresh heads for a crisp texture and vibrant green color after steaming.
- Bacon: Use good-quality bacon sliced into bite-sized pieces for the perfect savory crunch.
- Mayonnaise: Provides the creamy base of the dressing, adding richness without overpowering.
- Plain Greek yogurt: Lightens the dressing and adds a subtle tang for depth.
- White wine vinegar: Offers a gentle acidic punch to balance the creaminess and sweetness.
- Sugar: Just a touch to brighten and complement the tart cranberries.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, pulling the salad together.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for a sharp yet sweet bite that contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients.
- Cranberries: Dried cranberries add chewiness and a pop of tart sweetness.
- Walnuts: Toasted walnuts contribute a toasty crunch that perfectly balances the salad’s soft elements.
How to Make Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe
Step 1: Steam the Broccoli
Start by steaming the broccoli florets just until they turn a bright green color—about 4 to 5 minutes. This keeps them tender yet crisp. After steaming, place the broccoli in a bowl to cool and gently pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, which helps the dressing cling better later.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
While the broccoli cools, cook your bacon pieces in a skillet over medium heat until they’re perfectly crispy—this should take around 5 to 7 minutes. Once cooked, drain the bacon on paper towels to soak up extra grease. Crispy bacon is the hero crunch factor in this Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe, so don’t rush this step!
Step 3: Whisk the Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar, sugar, and salt. This combination creates a creamy dressing that is rich but light, tangy but slightly sweet—just right to marry all the salad’s flavors.
Step 4: Toss Broccoli in Dressing
Once the broccoli has cooled to room temperature, add it to the dressing and toss thoroughly so that every floret is coated. The dressing clings beautifully to the broccoli, giving every bite that luscious creaminess we crave.
Step 5: Add the Mix-Ins
Now it’s time for the colorful and flavorful mix-ins: toss in the finely sliced red onion, chewy cranberries, toasted walnuts, and those irresistible bacon pieces. Stir gently to combine all the textures and flavors evenly throughout the salad.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
For best results, cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for 1 to 2 hours, or even overnight. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the textures to harmonize perfectly. When you’re ready, give it a final toss and get ready to enjoy the magic of this Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe.
How to Serve Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe shine even brighter, sprinkle extra toasted walnuts or an additional handful of crispy bacon bits on top just before serving. A few fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives can also add a pop of fresh green and lift the salad’s flavor profile.
Side Dishes
This salad is fabulously versatile and pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, smoked meats, or even a simple piece of crusty bread. It’s a fantastic side at barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners where you want something colorful and satisfying alongside your main course.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving this salad in individual mason jars for a charming picnic setup or portion it into lettuce cups for a fun finger-food style appetizer. You can even layer it with additional ingredients like cherry tomatoes or shredded carrots to add visual appeal and extra freshness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers from your Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind the salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen, but the nuts and bacon will stay crunchy if eaten sooner rather than later.
Freezing
Freezing this salad is not recommended because the mayonnaise and fresh broccoli texture won’t withstand freezing well—it can become watery and lose its crispness. For best results, enjoy this salad fresh or refrigerated.
Reheating
This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is not necessary or advised. Instead, simply bring it out of the fridge a few minutes before serving to take the chill off.
FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?
Fresh broccoli is ideal for the best texture and flavor, but if you’re pressed for time, you can use frozen broccoli that is fully thawed and patted dry. Just be cautious about extra moisture so the salad doesn’t get soggy.
Is there a way to make this salad vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the bacon and consider adding extra toasted nuts or even crispy fried tofu for a different protein crunch, while keeping all the other flavor elements intact.
Can I substitute the sugar in the dressing?
Yes, you can use honey, maple syrup, or your preferred sweetener instead of sugar to achieve a similar balance of sweetness in the dressing.
How far in advance can I make this salad?
You can prepare this Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe up to a day ahead. Chilling it allows the flavors to fully develop, making it even more delicious when served the following day.
What can I do if I don’t have walnuts?
Pecans, almonds, or even sunflower seeds make great alternatives that add a lovely crunch and toasty flavor to the salad, keeping the texture and contrast alive.
Final Thoughts
There is something so comforting yet exciting about this Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe that makes it a guaranteed winner every time it hits the table. It’s easy to prepare, packed with fresh ingredients, and bursting with balanced flavors that will make you want to come back for second helpings. Trust me, once you try it, it might just become one of your all-time favorites to bring along to every gathering or enjoy as a quick, satisfying meal at home.
Print
Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Broccoli Bacon Salad combines fresh steamed broccoli with crispy bacon, crunchy walnuts, tart cranberries, and a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise and Greek yogurt. It’s a delightful mix of textures and flavors, perfect as a flavorful side dish for gatherings or a light lunch option.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 large heads broccoli (cut into florets)
- 6 oz. bacon (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- â…“ cup red onion (finely sliced)
- â…” cup cranberries
- 1 cup walnuts (toasted)
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- â…“ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- ½ tsp. salt
Instructions
- Steam Broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets in a steamer basket for 4-5 minutes until they turn bright green. Transfer to a large bowl to cool, then use a paper towel to dab the broccoli until completely dry.
- Cook Bacon: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces for 5-7 minutes or until fully cooked and crispy. Drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar, sugar, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Broccoli with Dressing: Add the cooled and dried broccoli into the dressing and toss thoroughly until all florets are well coated.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the finely sliced red onion, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and cooked bacon pieces, mixing gently to combine.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or up to overnight to let the flavors meld before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to dry the broccoli thoroughly after steaming to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- To toast walnuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or dried cherries if preferred.
- For a lower sugar option, reduce or omit the sugar in the dressing.
- This salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors have time to develop.
