Cold Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese (Easy Make-Ahead Recipe)

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.

Why Cold Broccoli Salad is Perfect for Summer Gatherings

Cold broccoli salad is a game-changer when you’re hosting backyard BBQs, potlucks, or family picnics. Unlike hot side dishes that need to stay warm, this salad actually improves as it chills in the refrigerator, making it the ultimate make-ahead recipe. The creamy dressing gets absorbed into the broccoli florets, the bacon stays crispy, and all those tangy flavors blend together beautifully after a few hours in the fridge.

The blanching and chilling process creates the perfect texture for a cold salad. When you blanch the broccoli and shock it with cold water, you lock in that bright green color and crisp-tender bite that holds up for days. This method keeps the broccoli from getting mushy or watery like raw broccoli sometimes does in creamy salads.

Another reason this cold broccoli salad is perfect for gatherings? It travels incredibly well and doesn’t need to be reheated. Just pack it in an airtight container with an ice pack, and you’ve got a stress-free side dish that stays food-safe at outdoor events. No need to worry about keeping it hot or finding an outlet for a slow cooker.

For more delicious cold salads that are perfect for summer entertaining, try this Italian Tortellini Salad or this Instant Pot Loaded Potato Salad. Both can be made ahead and served chilled, making your party prep so much easier!

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.

1. Place a pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Chop the broccoli into florets.
2. 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)
3. 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)

1. Stir in the red onion, cheddar cheese, and bacon into the sour cream-mayo mixture. (Photo 5)
2. 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)
3. 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

More Salad Recipes You May Enjoy

• Fuji Apple Salad
• Heirloom Tomato Salad
• Italian Tortellini Salad
• Dill Pasta Salad
• Easy Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad