Looking for a delicious and easy side dish? Look no further than my Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon. This salad is perfect for any occasion and is always a hit with everyone!
Made with just a few simple ingredients, this broccoli bacon salad is incredibly easy to make.
Just whisk together the dressing ingredients, toss everything together, and you're done... ready to serve in just 20 minutes!
This salad is perfect for summer BBQs, weeknight dinners, picnics or any time you need an easy side dish. It's also great for meal prep as you can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for later.
Serve this broccoli salad along with potato salad, creamy pasta salad, or crispy potato wedges at your next family BBQ!
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
- Easy to make - this broccoli salad recipe is so easy to make, I'm sure it will become a favourite and you'll wonder why you didn't make it sooner!
- Healthy & delicious - this crunchy salad is packed with flavour and healthy goodness!
- Great for meal prep - make it ahead of time and store broccoli salad in the fridge for an easy and healthy meal later. Great for lunches too.
- Perfect side dish - no matter what you're serving (grilled meats, roasts or seafood) this salad is the perfect side dish paired with any meal.
What You Need
My broccoli salad is made using just 5 ingredients (plus the salad dressing ingredients).
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.
For The Salad
- Medium heads of broccoli - use two medium heads of broccoli.
- Slivered almonds - these are small slices of almonds. Alternatively, you can use sunflower seeds or toasted pine nuts.
- Bacon - streaky bacon, diced and cooked until crispy.
- Cranberries - dried cranberries (also known as craisins).
- Red onion - one medium sized, finely diced.
For The Creamy Dressing
- Mayonnaise - for best results, be sure to use a whole egg mayonnaise.
- Caster sugar - also known as superfine sugar as it dissolves easily when mixed.
- Apple cider vinegar - known for its health benefits and readily available in all major supermarkes or health food stores.
- Salt and pepper - season to taste.
Equipment Required
There's no special equipment required for this creamy broccoli salad with bacon.
You will just need a chopping board and knife, plus a small mixing bowl or jar for the dressing and a large mixing/serving bowl for the salad.
You will also need a frying pan for crisping the bacon.
Step By Step Instructions
1.2.3.4... that's all the steps it takes to make this classic broccoli salad!
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.
Step 1 - Prep The Broccoli
Chop the broccoli heads into very small pieces (0.5-1cm). Set aside in a large bowl.
TIP: When assembling the salad, reserve a small amount of almonds, bacon and cranberries for sprinkling over the top (optional - purely for decoration).
Step 2 - Prep The Other Ingredients
Meanwhile, lightly toast the slivered almonds in a frying pan (no oil) over low heat on the stovetop. Stir regularly until just toasted. Add to the bowl with the broccoli.
Fry the diced bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Place onto a paper towel to drain the excess fat. Add to the broccoli bowl.
Add the dried cranberries and diced red onion.
Step 3 - Make The Dressing
Make the dressing by mixing all of the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or jar.
Pour over the salad and mix until well combined.
Step 4 - Assemble And Garnish
Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved extra almonds, bacon, and cranberries over the top for decoration (optional).
Expert Tips
- Preparing this salad a couple of hours ahead of time is best to allow the flavors to develop. However, if you're running short on time, you can make it and serve it immediately.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. The leftovers the next day for lunch are delicious!
- If you want to make this creamy broccoli salad with bacon ahead of time, you can prepare everything except for the dressing. The dressing can be made closer to serving.
- Don't like bacon? You can substitute it with diced ham, or leave it out for a vegetarian option.
- Not a fan of mayo? Use plain yogurt in place of the mayo for a lighter option.
- Try adding in some shredded cheese for extra healthy deliciousness!
FAQ'S
You certainly can add egg to your broccoli salad if you like! You can really make this bacon broccoli salad your own by adding whatever extra's you want.
This salad is usually served as a side dish, but you can also enjoy it as a main meal. For example, try pairing it with some grilled chicken or fish. You could also enjoy it on its own as a light lunch.
This broccoli salad doesn't go 'soggy' as it's made from small pieces of raw uncooked broccoli. And the slivered almonds keep the crunch factor happening as well. In fact, the flavour and texture of this broccoli salad develops and gets even better over time!
Related Recipes
This delicious broccoli salad can be served as an appetizer, snack, or even as part of your main meal.
Here are a few of my other most popular salad recipes:
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Creamy Broccoli Salad With Bacon
Ingredients
For The Salad
- 2 medium heads of broccoli (1 very large or 3 very small)
- 100 g slivered almonds or sunflower seeds or pine nuts
- 400 g bacon streaky, diced
- 100 g dried cranberries
- ½ red onion finely diced
For The Creamy Dressing
- 1 cup (230g) whole egg mayonnaise
- 2 tbs (25g) caster sugar
- 3 tbs (40g) apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli heads into very small pieces (0.5-1cm). Set aside in a large bowl.
- Lightly toast the slivered almonds in a frying pan (no oil) over low heat on the stove-top. Stir regularly until just toasted. Add to the bowl with the broccoli. TIP: When assembling the salad, reserve a small amount of almonds, bacon and cranberries for sprinkling over the top (optional - purely for decoration).
- Fry the diced bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Place onto paper towel to remove the excess fat. Add to the broccoli bowl.
- Add the dried cranberries and diced red onion.
- Make the dressing by mixing all of the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or jar. Pour over the salad and mix until well combined.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved extra almonds, bacon and cranberries over the top for decoration (optional).
Notes
- Preparing this salad a couple of hours ahead of time is best to allow the flavors to develop. However, if you're running short on time, you can make it and serve it immediately.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. The leftovers for lunch the next day are delicious!
- If you want to make this salad ahead of time, you can prepare everything except for the dressing. The dressing can be made closer to serving.
- Don't like bacon? You substitute it with diced ham, or leave it out for a vegetarian option.
- Not a fan of mayo? Use plain yogurt in place of the mayo for a lighter option.
- Try adding in some shredded cheese or hard boiled eggs for extra healthy deliciousness!
- This salad is not suitable for freezing.
Crystal
Absolutely delicious! 100% a regular for this family
Will you be adding a thermomix method?
Lucy
Hi Crystal, I'm so glad you like it!!! I don't think I'll be doing a Thermomix version as I don't love the texture of how the Thermomix chops the broccoli for this salad!