Tangy Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Cheddar Recipe

Summer barbecues sparkle with this irresistible crunchy broccoli salad packed with crispy bacon scattered throughout.

Fresh broccoli florets bring vibrant green color and satisfying texture to the plate.

Crisp bacon pieces add smoky richness that complements the cool, creamy dressing.

Sharp cheddar cheese crumbles provide a delightful tangy bite in every forkful.

Chopped red onions and sunflower seeds deliver extra crunch and depth of flavor.

This crowd-pleasing side dish comes together in minutes with simple, wholesome ingredients.

Serve chilled and watch how quickly guests devour every delectable spoonful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Need for Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Cheddar

• Mayonnaise: Creamy foundation that adds richness and helps bind ingredients together, choose full-fat version for best texture.
• Sour Cream: Provides tangy flavor and smooth consistency, opt for thick, high-quality dairy for better taste.
• Vinegar: Brings bright acidity to balance rich ingredients, apple cider vinegar works wonderfully here.
• Honey: Adds subtle sweetness and helps balance tangy elements, local raw honey offers deeper flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances overall flavor complexity, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

• Broccoli: Crunchy base vegetable packed with nutrients, choose fresh, firm florets with deep green color.
• Red Onion: Adds sharp bite and vibrant color, thinly slice for best texture and milder flavor.
• Sunflower Seeds: Provides delightful crunch and nutty undertone, raw or lightly toasted seeds work beautifully.

• Bacon: Adds smoky, savory dimension, crisp thoroughly for maximum texture and flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, tangy element that complements other ingredients, choose good-quality aged cheese.
• Dried Cranberries: Introduces sweet-tart burst of flavor, optional but recommended for balanced taste profile.

Prep Tools for Cheddar Broccoli Bacon Salad

• Whisk: Small, sturdy tool for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for mixing the creamy dressing ingredients.
• Large Bowl: Essential for combining salad components and tossing everything together.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping broccoli and red onion.
• Sharp Knife: Helps dice vegetables and prepare ingredients precisely.

How to Assemble Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Cheddar

• Whip Up the Flavor Blast

Create a creamy dressing by blending mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Stir until smooth and tangy.

• Toss Together the Crunch

Grab a large bowl and combine chopped broccoli, crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced red onion, crunchy sunflower seeds, and sweet dried cranberries. Mix these goodies until they’re happily mingling.

• Drench and Marinate

Pour the zesty dressing over the salad and gently toss everything until each ingredient gets a delicious coating. Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to dance and meld together.

• Serve and Savor

Dish out this mouthwatering salad chilled or at room temperature. Perfect as a side that’ll make taste buds do a happy dance!

Tips to Make Broccoli Salad Even Better

• Flavor-Boosting Bacon Swap: Replace traditional bacon with turkey bacon for a lighter option that still delivers incredible smoky taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep this salad up to 24 hours in advance, keeping dressing and salad ingredients separate until just before serving to maintain crisp textures.
• Veggie-Friendly Twist: Skip bacon entirely and add roasted chickpeas or smoked almonds for protein and crunch, transforming the dish into a vegetarian-friendly delight.
• Low-Carb Champion: Reduce cranberries and swap honey with a sugar-free alternative to create a keto-friendly version that keeps all the original flavor profile intact.
• Allergy-Conscious Adaptation: Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a tangy alternative, and use sunflower seed butter instead of seeds if nut allergies are a concern.

How to Plate and Present Broccoli Salad

• Fresh Picnic Perfect: Pack this zesty broccoli salad in a portable container for outdoor summer gatherings, where its cool crunch will be a crowd-pleaser.
• Protein Power Plate: Serve alongside grilled chicken or salmon to create a balanced meal that combines fresh vegetables with lean protein for a nutritious lunch.
• Festive Holiday Side: Bring this colorful salad to potlucks, thanksgiving dinners, or family reunions where its vibrant mix of ingredients will brighten up any traditional menu spread.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare the salad a day in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and making weekday meal planning easier and more convenient.

Store Your Broccoli Salad Without Losing Crunch

• Quick Chill Strategy: Refrigerate the salad for 30-60 minutes before serving to enhance flavor melding and ensure crisp, cool texture.
• Smart Container Choice: Store in an airtight glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Freshness Window: Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and texture, keeping the salad refrigerated between 35-40°F to maintain quality.
• Ingredient Separation Trick: Keep dressing and crunchy elements like bacon and sunflower seeds separate until just before serving to prevent sogginess and maintain crisp texture.

Crunchy Broccoli Salad With Bacon & Cheddar Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Summer-friendly Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Cheddar brings crisp vegetables and smoky bacon together in one delightful dish. Creamy dressing and sharp cheddar create a perfect balance for picnics, potlucks, and backyard gatherings you’ll definitely enjoy.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (960 ml / 32 fl oz) broccoli florets, fresh
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) cheddar cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) red onion, finely diced
• ⅓ cup (80 ml / 2.7 fl oz) cranberries, dried
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) sunflower seeds
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) almonds, chopped
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) mayonnaise
• 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) sour cream
• 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) honey
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml / 0.08 fl oz) salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml / 0.04 fl oz) black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-blended.
2. Salad Assembly: Chop broccoli florets, crumble bacon, dice red onion, and shred cheddar cheese into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure balanced flavor and texture distribution.
3. Texture Enhancement: Sprinkle sunflower seeds and dried cranberries across the vegetable mixture, introducing nutty and sweet dimensions to the salad.
4. Dressing Integration: Drizzle prepared dressing over the ingredients, gently folding to coat each component evenly and create a cohesive flavor profile.
5. Flavor Melding: Let the salad rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature, allowing ingredients to marinate and intensify their collective taste experience.
6. Serving Suggestion: Present the salad chilled or at ambient temperature as a vibrant side dish that complements various main courses with its dynamic flavor and textural complexity.

Notes

• Maximize Broccoli Freshness: Select crisp, bright green broccoli with tight florets to ensure peak flavor and nutritional value.
• Bacon Preparation Technique: Pat bacon dry before cooking to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture in the salad.
• Dressing Balance Hack: Adjust dressing consistency by adding small amounts of milk or buttermilk if too thick, ensuring smooth coating without overwhelming ingredients.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare components separately and combine just before serving to maintain crunchiness of seeds and bacon, preventing soggy salad syndrome.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg