Cold Broccoli Bacon Salad takes minutes to make and can easily be tailored to your own liking. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and healthy side dish that is perfect for any occasion!
If you are looking for a healthy no-bake side dish then this is the recipe for you. One of the best things about this recipe is that it goes well with just about any meal, and it’s perfect for backyard barbecues and potlucks!
Table of Contents
Why you should make this Broccoli Bacon Salad
- Easy to Make – Not much preparation is needed. The hardest part about this recipe is chopping the broccoli.
- Healthy – Broccoli Bacon Salad is a great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, as well as other vitamins and minerals.
- Keto-friendly – This salad may be low in carbs, but it’s definitely high in flavor.
- Great to Make Ahead – This salad can be made ahead of time and will last in the fridge for a few days.
Ingredients for Cold Broccoli Salad
- Broccoli– Cut into small florets so it can cook quicker!
- White Balsamic Vinegar– While balsamic vinegar has a more complex taste than white wine vinegar, white balsamic delivers the flavors without muddying up the salad’s color.
Substitutions and Variations
- If you want a bit more crunch in your salad, add some chopped celery or even sunflower seeds.
- Chopped bell peppers also add an extra pop of color and crunch!
- If sugar isn’t an issue, adding two tablespoons of white sugar to the dressing will give it a sweet taste.
- You can also add one cup of halved grapes or dried cranberries to the salad for an extra sweet flavor.
- If you can’t find white balsamic vinegar, you can use regular balsamic vinegar in its place.
How to Make Cold Broccoli Salad
This is one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make. Kids can even help with the mixing part.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this Instant Pot Loaded Potato Salad recipe.
- Place a pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Chop the broccoli into florets.
- Add the florets to boiling water. Reduce heat to medium. Blanche for 3-4 minutes, then drain broccoli and shock with a cold water rinse. (Photo 1)
- While broccoli is blanching, stir together the sour cream and mayonnaise in a large bowl. Add both kinds of vinegar, salt, and pepper. (Photos 2, 3 & 4)
- Stir in the red onion, cheddar cheese, and bacon into the sour cream-mayo mixture. (Photo 5)
- Once the broccoli is blanched and rinsed add the broccoli to the sour cream-mayo mixture. Stir to completely combine all the ingredients. (Photo 6)
- Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Recipe Tips
- If you want a more tangy salad, add extra vinegar to taste.
- Be sure to allow the salad to fully chill before serving so that the flavors have time to develop. This is a great recipe to make the night before.
- If you want a more creamy bacon broccoli salad, add additional sour cream and mayonnaise.
- I like to chop my broccoli small so that it cooks quickly. If you would prefer larger broccoli pieces, blanch them for a few minutes longer.
- This cold broccoli salad recipe is easily customizable – add in your favorite ingredients and leave out what you don’t like.
What to serve with Cold Broccoli Bacon Salad
This recipe would be wonderful with lots of my main dishes, but I especially love it as a side to a sandwich. Try it with an Easy Chicken Pesto Sandwich, Air Fryer Egg Sandwiches, or Homemade Hot Pockets with Crescent Rolls!
Cold Broccoli Salad FAQs
Yes, this keto broccoli salad recipe does not include sugar which makes it low-carb friendly.
Yes, you can omit the bacon with no problem. You can also use turkey bacon as a substitute to cut a few calories.
Freezing isn’t recommended because of the mayo and sour cream in this salad.
This recipe can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can make this recipe 3 days in advance. I like to make it the night before so that the flavors have time to fully develop.
More Salad Recipes You May Enjoy
- Fuji Apple Salad
- Heirloom Tomato Salad
- Italian Tortellini Salad
- Dill Pasta Salad
- Easy Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
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Easy Cold Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups Broccoli
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon White Balsamic Vinegar
- ¼ cup Red Onion minced
- ½ cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 4 slices bacon crumbled
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place a pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Once water is boiling, reduce heat to medium and add broccoli. Blanche for 3-4 minutes, then drain broccoli and shock with a cold water rinse.4 cups Broccoli
- While broccoli is blanching, stir together the sour cream and mayonnaise in a large bowl. Add vinegars, salt and pepper.1/2 cup Sour Cream, 1/2 cup Mayonnaise, 1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar, 1 Tablespoon White Balsamic Vinegar, Salt and Pepper
- Stir in the red onion, cheddar cheese and bacon into the sour cream-mayo mixture.1/4 cup Red Onion, 1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese
- Once the broccoli is blanched and rinsed add to the sour cream-mayo mixture. Stir to coat completely.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.4 slices bacon
Notes
- If you want a more tangy salad, add extra vinegar to taste.
- Be sure to allow the salad to chill before serving so that the flavors have time to develop.
- If you want a salad that is more creamy, add additional sour cream and mayonnaise.
- I like to chop my broccoli small so that it cooks quickly. If you would prefer larger broccoli pieces, blanch for a few minutes longer.
- This broccoli salad recipe is easily customizable to your own liking – add in your favorite ingredients or leave out what you don’t like.
Nutrition Information
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Beth says
This broccoli salad was a hit for dinner! Thanks.
Casey says
I had broccoli salad last month at a barbecue and I was wondering how to make it. This looks so good. Thanks!
Chenee says
This is the most flavorful broccoli salad I’ve ever tasted. I’ll be making this recipe over and over this summer.
Ali says
This broccoli salad is perfect for a summer barbecue! Tasty and healthy, and so easy to make!
Savita says
I loved the salad, turned out really delicious. Will be on my cooklist now.
Beth says
This is one of the best broccoli salad recipes I’ve seen in a long time. It’s delicious, and I love how easy it is to make. That’s a biggie for me.
Kathryn says
I love how creamy and easy this broccoli salad is! Perfect for summer bbqs, picnics and get togethers. The flavor is so good you can’t tell your eating broccoli 😉
dana says
This is such a great treat! So creamy and tangy, and the perfect side for cookouts.
Gina says
I love how quick and easy this is to make. It’s also so very tasty. This is going to be a staple side of mine for all the spring/summer BBQ’s!
Dina Miller says
We are in middle of kitchen remodel so this was perfect! We steamed broccoli in microwave and it turned out perfect! Can’t wait to make again!