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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes

    Broccoli Bacon Salad

    Published: Mar 12, 2020 · Modified: Oct 6, 2020 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 4 Comments

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    Broccoli Bacon Salad in a white bowl with pinterest text overlay

    Broccoli Bacon Salad is a wonderfully easy side dish recipe. It is a family favorite that is on our holiday table whether it’s Easter, Christmas or 4th of July. 

    Most of the ingredients are raw, except for the bacon- which can be made ahead, so it really lightens your workload on holidays when you are preparing more labor intensive dishes.

    Broccoli Bacon Salad in a bowl

    It is also a great side dish to have with anything grilled on a non-holiday night.

    Raw Onion Tip

    You know how when you eat raw onions the flavor can stick around a lot longer than you would like? It doesn’t have to be that way!

    raw red onions being rinsed in water

    Before you dice the onion give it a generous rinse (or you can soak it for 5 minutes) under cool water, slightly separating the layers of the onion. This will wash away the enzyme that keeps the onion flavor around long after you have eaten it!

    How to Make Broccoli Bacon Salad

    This veggie side dish is so easy to prepare and makes the perfect fresh salad to add to any dinner.

    You simply assemble the chopped broccoli, raisins, sunflower seeds and diced red onions in a large bowl.

    • broccoli and onions in a bowl
    • broccoli, onions, and raisins in a bowl
    • broccoli, onions, sunflower seeds and raisins in a bowl
    • broccoli, onions, sunflower seeds and raisins in a bowl topped with bacon
    • broccoli, onions, sunflower seeds and raisins in a bowl topped with bacon and mayo dressing
    • broccoli bacon salad made in a white bowl

    Cook and crumble the bacon, then add to the broccoli mixture.

    Make the dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Pour over the broccoli bacon mixture. Stir to coat everything.

    Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes before serving.

    To Make Ahead

    Prep the broccoli, sunflower seeds, raisins and onions together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

    Prepare the dressing and refrigerate seperate from the salad.

    a large white bowl with a broccoli salad with bacon

    Cook and crumble the bacon- I store my cooked bacon in an airtight container at room temp.

    About 10 minutes before it is time to eat assemble the salad!

    Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe

    Broccoli Bacon Salad in a bowl

    Broccoli Bacon Salad

    A classic Broccoli Bacon Salad recipe that has raisins and sunflower seeds with a sweet and tangy dressing. Makes a great side dish for any holiday or barbecue.
    4 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved to Grow
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    cooking bacon: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 150kcal
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ – 2 heads broccoli about 4-5 cups, chopped into bite sized florets
    • ½ cup raisins
    • ½ cup sunflower seeds
    • ¼ cup red onion diced, see kitchen tip in notes about onion
    • 8-10 slices bacon cooked and crumbled

    Dressing

    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • ⅓ cup sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • In a mixing bowl add the 1 cup mayo, ⅓ cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Whisk or stir together until completely smooth.
    • In a separate large bowl combine the cut broccoli florets, ½ cup raisins, ½ cup sunflower seeds, ¼ cup diced red onion, crumbled bacon and the dressing mixture.
    • Stir to combine ingredients and coat completely with the mayo dressing.
    • Let rest for 15-30 minutes before serving.

    Notes:

    TO MAKE AHEAD: Make up to 2 days ahead. Cook the bacon, crumble, and set aside. Prepare the dressing and keep separate in the refrigerator. In your serving bowl add the broccoli, sunflower seeds, onions and raisins- cover and refrigerate. About 30 minutes before serve time add the bacon and the dressing to the broccoli mixture and stir to combine.
     
    RED ONION TIP: Rinse the raw red onion slices under cool water before chopping. This will rinse away the enzyme that makes raw onion flavor stick around for too long!
     
    Calories are estimated.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments
    Serving: 0.5cups | Calories: 150kcal

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

    Originally posted April 2017 – Photos & copy updated March 2020

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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    1. DeniseDenise

      December 25, 2022 at 7:27 pm

      1 star
      The proportions of ingredients for this salad are way off. If you are starting with 2 heads of broccoli that give 5 cups of florets, there is way too much of everything else. I cut the 1/3 cup of sugar in the mayo dressing in half and it was still too sweet, and then I needed only a couple spoonfuls of the mayo dressing. Too many raisins, sunflower seeds, onion and bacon.

      Reply
    2. Michelle

      February 12, 2022 at 3:10 pm

      This is one of my all time favorite salads. I could make a meal out of this!

      Reply
    3. John

      August 12, 2018 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect side dish for any lunch or dinner. Heck I’d eat it with breakfast!

      Reply
      • Susie

        August 12, 2018 at 11:24 pm

        me too!

        Reply

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