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High-angle smartphone photo of Broccoli Salad with Bacon on a wooden table. (Broccoli Salad with Bacon)

Broccoli Salad with Bacon: The Ultimate Creamy Picnic Classic

This Broccoli Salad with Bacon features crunchy raw florets, smoky dark brown bacon, and sharp cheddar tossed in a glossy, creamy dressing. A perfect 25-minute side dish for BBQs, picnics, or easy weekday meal prepping.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 6 cups (500g) Fresh Broccoli Florets Cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 10 slices (340g) Thick-Cut Bacon Cooked until dark brown and crumbled
  • 1.5 cups (170g) Sharp Orange Cheddar Cheese Shredded from the block
  • 1/2 medium (75g) Red Onion Finely diced
  • 1/2 cup (65g) Toasted Sunflower Seeds Unsalted
  • 1 cup (240ml) Mayonnaise Full fat for best sheen
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3 tbsp (38g) Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp (3g) Sea Salt
  • 1/4 tsp (1g) Black Pepper Freshly cracked

Equipment

  • 1 Cast-Iron Skillet For rendering bacon to a perfect crisp.
  • 1 Large Ceramic Bowl For mixing and serving.
  • 1 Silicone Spatula To fold dressing without bruising ingredients.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Place bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Fry until it reaches a deep, dark brown color and is very crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
  2. Wash the broccoli and dry it thoroughly. Cut the florets into very small, bite-sized pieces. Finely dice the red onion.
Assembly
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until the sugar dissolves and the dressing has a slight sheen.
  2. In a large ceramic bowl, combine broccoli, cheddar, and red onion. Fold in the dressing until lightly coated. Just before serving, stir in the bacon and sunflower seeds for maximum crunch.

Notes

For best results, refrigerate for 2 hours before serving to let flavors meld.
Keep bacon and seeds separate until the last minute if making a day ahead to maintain crunch.