Broccoli Bacon Salad: the phenomenal recipe for an easy healthy side dish

Creamy broccoli salad with bacon is a sensationally tasty dish that everyone will love. This is a brilliant recipe to serve for the broccoli skeptic in your life: the tantalizing combination of savory bacon and red onion combined with a hint of sweet raisins and a mouthwateringly red wine vinegar-mayonnaise dressing make broccoli bacon salad hard to resist. Even the most broccoli-averse folks out there will be converted. It's effortless to prepare, so you can throw this simple salad together if you need a quick, delicious side dish for your table.

Is Broccoli Bacon Salad Healthy?

Rich in fiber, vitamins, and other essential nutrients, broccoli is a healthy addition to any well-rounded diet. Sunflower seeds and red onion also boast health benefits, while bacon adds protein. This recipe does call for mayonnaise and added sugar, which makes it slightly less healthy than other broccoli preparations, but is still an overall great way to get in some seriously nutritious green veggies.

What to Serve with Broccoli Bacon Salad

Broccoli bacon salad is a staple for barbecues and potlucks. It's a great side dish for everything from pot roasts to stews, pork chops to grilled chicken breasts, ribs, and more. Because it's so simple to make, it's great for feeding a crowd or as an easy side for busy weeknights.

What Dressing to Use for Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar are the traditional ingredients for broccoli bacon salad dressing. Swap in plain Greek yogurt as a healthier substitution for the mayo to make an equally rich, creamy dressing. Or you could make a superb dressing with ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup mayonnaise, and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

Tips for Making Easy Broccoli Bacon Salad

– Buy the freshest broccoli available and cut the florets quite small. Smaller pieces will coat more evenly.

– Although it's quick to prepare, broccoli bacon salad is also a killer make-ahead recipe. You can prep it up to 24 hours before you plan on serving it. Store your make-ahead salad covered and in the fridge.

How to Make Broccoli Bacon Salad

1. Put broccoli, onion, bacon, dried fruit, and sunflower seeds in a large bowl.
2. Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar in a separate small bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss to combine, making sure dressing is evenly distributed throughout the salad.

Notes

If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container placed in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.