Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/25/22
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 6 servings

This popular broccoli salad is always a hit, and it's surprisingly easy to fix. All you need is some cooked bacon, fresh broccoli, and a few other ingredients.

The salad ingredients can easily be adjusted to suit your taste. Some typical additions include sunflower seeds, pecans, or walnuts, and julienned carrots or sweet red bell pepper can be added for color.

Broccoli Bacon Salad

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
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Ingredients

  • 10 to 12 strips bacon

  • 2 broccoli crowns, about 5 to 6 cups florets

  • 1 medium red onion, chopped

  • 1/2 cup raisins, optional

For the Dressing:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

  • 2 teaspoons sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. 

    Broccoli Bacon Salad ingredients

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  2. Bake or fry the bacon until somewhat crisp.

    bacon in a cast iron skillet

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  3. Drain on paper towels and then dice or crumble.

    bacon cut into small pieces

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  4. Separate the broccoli crowns into small florets and put in a large bowl.

    broccoli in a bowl

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  5. Add the chopped red onion, raisins, and bacon to the broccoli and toss to mix.

    broccoli with red onion, raisins, and bacon in a bowl

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  6. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar in a small bowl.

    mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar in a small bowl

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  7. Add to the broccoli mixture. Toss to coat the broccoli with the dressing. For maximum flavor, refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

    Broccoli Bacon Salad

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Tips


  • Diced, pre-cooked bacon is an excellent time-saver for this broccoli salad recipe. Take a look at the tips and variations for possible additions and substitutions.
  • For less mess and easier cleanup, try baking the bacon. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and arrange the bacon in the pan. Bake in a preheated 375 F oven for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until browned and crisp.

Recipe Variations

  • Diced, pre-cooked bacon is an excellent time-saver for this broccoli salad recipe.
  • Add about 1/2 cup of julienned carrots to the salad to give the broccoli salad color and additional nutritional value.
  • Sunflower seeds or toasted pecans or walnuts can add flavor and crunch.
  • Balsamic vinegar is sweeter than other kinds of vinegar. Substitute cider vinegar or red wine vinegar plus 1 extra teaspoon of sugar.

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
397 Calories
36g Fat
9g Carbs
10g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 397
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 46%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 649mg 28%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 44mg 220%
Calcium 37mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 349mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)