Here’s a delicious Broccoli Bacon Salad with homemade dressing! You won’t believe the secret ingredient in the dressing! It makes all the difference in making this salad fantastic!

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Broccoli Bacon Salad

Here’s a delicious Broccoli Bacon Salad with homemade dressing! You won’t believe the secret ingredient in the dressing! It makes all the difference in making this salad fantastic!

This summer, I experimented with new salad recipes to expand our collection and offer options beyond an easy fruit salad or Greek Cucumber Salad.

My husband and I have recently talked about what veggies and salads we can bring to holiday gatherings to bring more green to the table. We’re excited to bring this Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese to this year’s Thanksgiving festivities!

Bacon lovers will especially love the “secret” ingredient that makes the dressing epic - bacon drippings! As many Southern cooks have advised, you may want to invest in a bacon grease container to save all the bacon grease for your Southern recipe rotation.

This broccoli salad recipe has become my go-to side dish for events. It is one of those recipes that takes minutes to prepare and garners lots of requests from guests who’ve loved it!

Plus, you can make it beforehand to save on time and stress.

Ingredients

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients for making an epic easy Broccoli Salad! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

Fresh Broccoli Florets
Bacon
Medium Onion
Cheddar Cheese

Broccoli Salad Dressing Ingredients

Mayonnaise
Sugar
White Wine Vinegar
Bacon Drippings

Optional - You can throw in dried cranberries for sweetness or sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, or your favorite nuts for extra crunch. Additional fun add ins include red onions, raisins

Equipment Needed

Salad Bowl or Large Mixing Bowl
Small Bowl/Whisk: For the dressing
Wooden Spoons: For tossing the salad together

How to Make the Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. If not already prepped, dice the onion and grate the cheddar cheese.
Cook the bacon and rest each strip on paper towels.
Once most of the grease absorbs, cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
Mix the broccoli, bacon, diced onion, and grated cheddar cheese in a large salad bowl.
Combine the dressing ingredients, then pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture.
Chill in the fridge for 1-3 hours or overnight for the best flavor.

Preparation and Storage

Make-Ahead: This Broccoli Bacon Salad is make-ahead-friendly! Plan for this salad to rest in the fridge for at least an hour so the dressing can meld with everything. It is better if it sits for a few hours.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within three days.

Freezing/How to Freeze: We don’t recommend freezing this side dish salad, as broccoli loses its crispness and turns soggy when thawed, and mayonnaise tends to separate.

Recipe Variations

Substitutions: Feel free to swap the mayo for Miracle Whip if you prefer this ingredient’s flavor.

To save time you can use real bacon bits instead of freshly cooked bacon.

Use sharp cheddar cheese instead of regular for a stronger taste.

Vegetarian Option: Swap the bacon and bacon grease with meat-free alternatives to make this recipe vegetarian. This guide to bacon grease substitutes has some meatless options to get you started.

Vegan Option: In addition to the guidance for vegetarians, vegans should use plant-based mayonnaise and cheddar cheese.

Gluten-Free: The components of this recipe are typically gluten-free by nature. Check each pantry ingredient for a gluten-free label if you are highly sensitive.

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The written recipe makes eight servings. Scale it up or down to your desired yield.

Make It Spicy: We haven’t seen any spicy versions of this Broccoli Bacon Salad, but you can add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce or spicy seasoning blend to kick up the heat.

Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 15 grams of sugar per serving. Replace the white sugar with a sugar-free alternative to make it sugar-free.

Tips for the Best Broccoli Bacon Salad

I like to cut the bacon into bite-size pieces; you can also crumble the cooked bacon.
Depending on your available time, you can buy pre-cut broccoli florets or cut your own.
I do not blanch the broccoli, but you totally can if you prefer it blanched.

What to Serve with Broccoli Bacon Salad

Make this broccoli and bacon-infused take on a summer salad favorite a part of your next warm-weather porch hangout, potluck, or barbecue gathering. Here are some menu planning suggestions.

Sides: BLT Pasta Salad, Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Pear Salad, Sauerkraut Salad, Air Fryer Corn on the Cob, Air Fryer Texas Toast, Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream, Southern Style Green Beans, Creamed Corn Casserole, Watermelon Salad, Kool-Aid Pickles