A summer must have, this Easy Broccoli Salad with Bacon is one of the easiest salads to make. Crisp, fresh broccoli, tender raisins, cheese and crumbled bacon are tossed in a sweet and savory dressing that whips up in minutes.

Broccoli Salad with Bacon in a blue and white bowl with chicken on a white platter.

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

I remember going to a ton of picnics and potlucks growing up where everyone brought sides…..and salads…..and more sides……but not so much protein. It was usually the hosts responsibility to provide the grilled meats like chicken or steak or burgers or hot dogs. But, honestly, I never really liked the meats.

I was always about the sides.  I could totally just make a meal out of the salads that everyone brought to the gathering. I love the pasta salads and potato salads so much but what I loved the most was a classic Broccoli Salad that was loaded with bacon! Broccoli Salad had my heart for years and it still does to this day.

There’s something wonderful about Broccoli Salad, even if you’re not a broccoli fan, because it’s just packed with amazing flavor. The broccoli salad dressing is sweet and savory…..but not too sweet….and it gets all into the deep crevices of the broccoli florets hanging onto that flavor for the perfect bite every time.

Overhead shot of broccoli salad with bacon on a blue and white checked napkin that says Dig In.

Every single bite is a mouthful of crunchy perfection and that’s probably why this easy salad recipe is also known as Broccoli Crunch Salad. The pecans, crispy bacon and broccoli are definitely going to get on the nerves of that guy that hates the sound of chewing because seriously….there’s no way around making a ruckus when your chowing down on this deliciousness.

What ingredients are in Broccoli Salad with Bacon?

Well, the options are limitless when you make your own Broccoli Salad recipe but this easy recipe has all my favorite things and was adapted from my mom’s Broccoli Raisin Salad. I switched things up and replaced the raisins with dried cherries just for a bit of tartness.

Here’s what I throw in there:

  • Fresh Broccoli….obvs
  • Red Onion
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Crumbled Bacon
  • Dried Cherries
  • Chopped Pecans
Overhead shot of ingredients for broccoli salad in a glass bowl.

For the Broccoli Salad Dressing, you’ll need:

  • Mayonnaise
  • Honey
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Broccoli salad dressing in a glass bowl.

I love that the dressing whips up in minutes and you can totally make this Broccoli Salad recipe in advance because it just gets better the longer it sits. Some salad recipes call for sunflower seeds, and that’s fine if you want to sub them in this recipe, but I LOVE the extra crunch and butteriness of the pecans so much. Plus, it’s a southern dish which calls for southern ingredients and pecans are just that.

How to Make It

Broccoli Salad with bacon couldn’t be easier to make. Simply toss all the salad ingredients in a bowl to combine.

Whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate for one hour before serving to give the flavors a chance to mingle.

Broccoli salad dressing being poured over the salad in a glass bowl.

Tips for the BEST Broccoli Salad

  • Use FRESH Broccoli cut into small bite sized pieces. Do not use frozen.
  • Also, do not cook the broccoli, we like it raw as it soaks up the dressing and doesn’t water down the salad.
  • Use REAL bacon, cooked and crumbled.  It’s way better than using store bought bacon bits.
  • Make the salad at least an hour in advance.
  • Leftovers are fabulous tossed with leftover chicken for a quick and easy work lunch.
dressing being poured over broccoli salad in a glass bowl.

Why is This the BEST Broccoli Salad

Well, isn’t everything made with bacon better? Right? Plus, the dressing is perfect….not too sweet, not too tart. It’s just right and the salty cheddar with the bacon, crunchy pecans and tart cherries just set this Broccoli Salad apart in a league of it’s own.

Broccoli Salad in a blue and white bowl.

What to Serve with It

These reader favorites go perfectly with your salad:

Honey Chipotle BBQ Chicken being basted with a green basting brush from TheSuburbanSoapbox.com

And sometimes I like to mix things up….you know, like the aforementioned potluck buffet consisting of only side dishes and salad.

More Summer Side Dish Recipes

Creamy Cucumber Salad in a yellow bowl on a blue napkin.

For more easy recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us over on Instagram! We’ve got big plans this summer and I’ll be sharing it all over there in my stories!

Overhead shot of broccoli salad and grilled chicken.
Broccoli Salad in a blue and white bowl.

Get the Recipe: Easy Broccoli Salad with Bacon Recipe

Loaded with fresh ingredients this crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon recipe is the ultimate summer side dish.
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Ingredients

  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1 cup dried cherries
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 3/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon

For the dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Equipment

  • bowl
  • spatula

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, add the broccoli, onion, cherries, cheddar cheese, pecans and broccoli. Toss to combine.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar and honey, Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
  • Toss before serving.

Notes

Salad is best if made at least an hour in advance. Be sure to toss before serving because the dressing will settle to the bottom of the bowl.
Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 307kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 169mg, Potassium: 223mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 900IU, Vitamin C: 41.4mg, Calcium: 95mg, Iron: 1mg