The Broccoli salad with bacon and cheese is loaded with crispy bacon, crispy roasted pecans, creamy diced cheddar and is tossed in the most amazing homemade dressing. This salad is easy, quick and super easy to make!
If you prefer broccoli salad without cheddar, you’ll definitely love my Cranberry Broccoli Salad recipe. And if you want something meatier, try my Healthy Broccoli Chicken Salad.
Table of contents
recipe details
I love this Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese because it’s easy to make and has so much flavor and texture. You will love the taste of this dish!
- TASTE GOOD: From the savory bacon to the sweet cranberries to the nutty pecans, this salad has so much great flavor. The raw broccoli is amazing with the rich dressing.
- TEXTURE: The veggies are crisp, the bacon and nuts are crunchy, and the dressing is creamy and thick. This salad has it all.
- TIME: This recipe only takes 15 minutes.
- EASE: It is so easy to prepare this dish. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes, you can make this delicious side dish anytime.
what you will need
Notes on ingredients
- Mayonnaise- This ingredient gives the dressing its rich flavor and creaminess.
- Sour cream- This adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor.
- Dijon mustard- This adds a tangy flavor but also acts as an emulsifier and holds the dressing together.
- Apple Cider Vinegar- This gives the dressing a bright acidity.
- Chopped Roasted Pecans– Nutty and crunchy, they are a great addition to the salad.
- cranberry These provide a delicious sweetness.
- Bacon- For a salty, savory taste. The bacon is also nice and crispy.
Add-Ins and Substitutions
- make it easier- For a healthier broccoli salad, you can substitute olive oil for the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Substitute other nuts- Prepare this salad with other nuts like almonds, walnuts or cashews.
- Add more meat – You can make this salad a main dish by adding some chopped chicken, turkey, or steak. You can also add seafood like shrimp.
- make it vegan- You can omit the bacon and substitute vegan mayo for the mayonnaise and plain plant-based yogurt for the sour cream. The cheese can be swapped out for plant-based cheddar.
How to make broccoli salad with bacon and cheese
- Make the dressing. Simply whisk together the mayo, sour cream, sugar, Dijon, and apple cider vinegar and set aside for later.
- Prepare the other ingredients. Now chop all the onions and pecans and dice the cheddar cheese.
- Assemble the salad. At this point, you can either toss everything into one large serving bowl or organize it as nicely as I did. Then drizzle over your broccoli salad dressing and toss the salad.
Pro tip: Arrange the ingredients neatly in the bowl and pour the dressing on top for the best presentation. This is perfect for impressing your guests.
recipe tips
- Cut the broccoli into small pieces– This makes it easier to have more variety in each bite. This also allows for a more even coating of the dressing with the broccoli.
- Allow the dressing and ingredients to marinate together. If you let it sit for at least several hours, the flavors will blend better.
- Add nuts or seeds at the end before eating. This will prevent the seeds and nuts from softening and losing their crunchiness.
- Use diced cheddar block Having your cheese in cubes will give you a better cheddar bite compared to shredded cheese.
frequently asked Questions
Broccoli alone is low carb. However, it depends on what you put in your dressing. My dressing isn’t the healthiest or totally low carb since the recipe contains sugar, but it tastes delicious! You can also omit the sugar if you wish.
It depends on you. I don’t recommend blanching the broccoli for this Bacon and Cheese Broccoli Salad, but if you prefer sweeter and more tender broccoli florets, you can blanch them. If you prefer the crunch of raw broccoli, skip it.
serving suggestions
This bacon and cheese broccoli salad is versatile enough to serve with anything. Enjoy with your favorite main courses, soups and side dishes.
- Meat: Pair this salad with cast-iron ribeye, smoked chicken thighs, air fryer pork chops (VIDEO), or braised beef short ribs (VIDEO).
- Seafood: Serve with seafood like cedarwood salmon, bang bang shrimp, salmon wellington, or seared cod with sautéed veggies.
- soups: Enjoy this broccoli salad with a bowl of cream of mushroom soup, potato and leek soup, tortellini soup, or simple French onion soup.
- Pages: Pair this salad with sides like this Aubergine Napoleon, air fry Brussels sprouts, roasted Parmesan potatoes, or bacon-wrapped asparagus.
Make this recipe ahead of time
Get ahead: You can make the dressing ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also chop the onion, pecans, and cheese and refrigerate until ready to assemble the salad.
storage: Store this bacon and cheese broccoli salad in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this salad as the dressing is cream based and doesn’t thaw well. The broccoli will also become mushy when thawed.
More delicious salads!
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Full Recipe Guide
Broccoli salad with bacon and cheese
This broccoli salad is loaded with crispy bacon, crispy toasted pecans, creamy diced cheddar and tossed in the most amazing homemade dressing. This salad is easy, quick and super easy to make!
Press Pen rate
Servings: 10
Calories: 408kcal
instructions
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In a small bowl, add 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, and 4 teaspoons sugar. Whisk it all together and set aside.
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Now dice 1/4 cup or red onion into small pieces, then chop about 1/2 cup toasted unsalted pecans.
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Then you should take a block of medium cheddar and cut it into cubes with a sharp knife. My cheddar cubes were about 1/2 inch thick.
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Now place 5 cups of broccoli florets in a large bowl, then add the diced cheddar, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped pecans, diced onion, 1/3 cup crumbled bacon, and 1/4 cup sunflower seeds.
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Now you can take the dressing you made earlier and drizzle it all over the salad. Then mix all the salad ingredients together until well combined
Remarks
- Cut the broccoli into small pieces– This makes it easier to have more variety in each bite. This also allows for a more even coating of the dressing with the broccoli.
- Allow the dressing and ingredients to marinate together. If you let it sit for at least several hours, the flavors will blend better.
- Add nuts or seeds at the end before eating. This will prevent the seeds and nuts from softening and losing their crunchiness.
- Use diced cheddar block Having your cheese in cubes will give you a better cheddar bite compared to shredded cheese.
Nourishment
Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 8thG | Protein: 11G | Fat: 38G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 11G | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 426mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 2G | Sugar: 4G | Vitamin A: 570ie | Vitamin C: 41.6mg | Calcium: 199mg | Iron: 0.9mg
Hello, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I think life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be amazed at how quickly a healthy and delicious meal can be prepared. I hope you find something you enjoy!