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Today I’m sharing a recipe that even my husband, who’s not big on salads, loves – my Best Broccoli Salad Ever. It’s simple, delicious, and a hit at every meal. Let’s get started and make a salad that’ll win everyone over!
The Ingredients for Our Best Broccoli Salad Ever
When I’m whipping up the Best Broccoli Salad Ever, I start by grabbing some fresh broccoli. None of that frozen stuff for this salad – fresh is the way to go for that perfect crunch. Then, I move on to the red onion. Just a bit of it gives a nice sharp kick, which I love.
Next up in our salad is the bacon – the star of the show! I always use Fresh Brand Applewood Smoked Beef Bacon. It has this rich, smoky flavor that really elevates the dish. The way it cooks up so crispy makes it absolutely perfect for our salad. If you’re curious to try it, you can find it on Amazon.
For the cheese, oh, it’s all about that melt and blend into the salad. I go for 365 Everyday Value Organic Cheddar Cheese. Grating it yourself straight from the block – there’s nothing like it. It adds such a wonderful, creamy texture to our salad. You can get your hands on this cheese on Amazon.
Now, let’s talk about the dressing – it’s a simple mix of vinegar, mayonnaise, and sugar. I swear by 365 Organic Mayonnaise for that perfectly creamy texture. It really brings the whole salad together.
Quick Reminder:
Don’t worry about the amounts right now – I’ve got all the exact quantities you need down in the recipe card. Just scroll down a bit, and you’ll find everything there.
Chopping Made Easy: My Favorite Kitchen Helper
Chopping veggies can be a bit of a chore, especially onions – hello, teary eyes! But, I’ve found something that’s changed the game for me. It’s this amazing Vegetable Chopper from Amazon. I’ve been using it for all my salads and trust me, it makes chopping so much faster and fun.
What’s really cool about this chopper is its versatility. It comes with 8 different interchangeable blades. Whether I need thick or thin slices, dicing, chunking, shredding, or even grinding, this tool has got me covered. It’s like having a mini kitchen army in one gadget! No matter the size or style I need for my veggies or fruits, I can switch the blades easily and get the perfect cut every time.
How to Make the Best Broccoli Salad Ever
When I set out to make this salad, I start with the veggies. I grab my heads of fresh broccoli and a red onion. Chopping is a breeze with The BEST Vegetable Chopper. I get the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and the onion finely chopped in no time.
The bacon is next. I cook it until it’s just the right amount of crispy, then set it aside to cool.
After the bacon, I get my cheese grated. There’s something about freshly grated cheese – it’s just so much better.
Now comes the fun part – mixing it all together. In a large bowl, I toss the chopped broccoli with the crispy bacon, diced onion, and that freshly grated cheddar. It’s a colorful and fragrant mix that’s already tempting to eat.
But wait, there’s the dressing. In a separate bowl, I whisk together vinegar, mayonnaise, and sugar. This dressing is the heart of the salad – creamy, tangy, and sweet, all in one. Pouring it over the broccoli mix, I make sure everything gets a good coat.
After everything is mixed well, I pop the salad into the fridge. Letting it chill is crucial – it allows the flavors to meld and intensify.
Personalize Your Salad: Add-In Ideas
One of the best things about this broccoli salad is how adaptable it is. Depending on your taste or what you have in your fridge, you can add a variety of ingredients to make it your own. Here are a few ideas:
- Nuts and Seeds: you can use some sunflower seeds or slivered almonds. They add a lovely texture and nutty flavor.
- Dried Fruit: A handful of raisins or dried cranberries.
- Fresh Fruits: Chopped apples or grapes can add a refreshing and juicy component. They’re especially great if you’re serving the salad in warmer months.
- Vegetables: Feel free to mix in other veggies like cauliflower, frozen peas, shredded carrots or sliced bell peppers for more color and variety.
- Protein Boost: If you wanna make this salad a bit more filling, adding some chopped hard-boiled eggs or grilled chicken can turn it into a satisfying meal on its own.
Note:
Remember, these are just suggestions. Feel free to experiment and find what you love best.
Best Broccoli Salad Ever
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 people 1x
Description
Try our Best Broccoli Salad Ever! It’s a mix of fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, tasty cheese, and a creamy dressing. This salad is great for family meals, parties, or picnics. It’s easy to make and everyone loves its yummy taste and different textures.
Ingredients
- 2 heads of fresh broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 pound Applewood smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese (preferably freshly grated)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 cup organic mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sugar
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli and red onion into small pieces.
- Cook the bacon until it’s crispy, let it cool, then break it into small bits.
- Grate the cheddar cheese.
- In a big bowl, mix the broccoli, red onion, bacon, and grated cheese.
- In a separate bowl, mix the vinegar, mayonnaise, and sugar to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and mix it so everything is covered.
- Put the salad in the fridge for a while before you eat it. This helps all the flavors come together.
Notes
You can add other things like nuts, seeds, dried or fresh fruits, or more veggies to make it your own!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Category: Salad
- Method: Chopping, Mixing, Refrigerating
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Broccoli Salad Recipe, Easy Broccoli Salad, Bacon Cheddar Broccoli Salad, Picnic Side Dishes, Crispy Bacon Salad
This looks delicious and easy. Can you provide the calories per serving for the recipe you provided? Thanks
Thanks for the compliment! About the calories, it really depends on the ingredients you use, but a serving is roughly around 300-500 calories. A nutrition calculator online can give you a more exact number based on your ingredients. Hope you enjoy making it as much as I do! 😊
How many does the recipe serve?
I am in assisted living. I need to know how much to make of the Broccoli Salad and the Potato Pancake to serve appropriately 20 people.