By Becky Hardin
Updated Oct 23, 2025
My easy Broccoli Salad with Bacon is honestly the best recipe you will find for this classic side dish. I added bacon and cranberries, so this creamy salad is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Colorful and packed full of flavor and texture, this salad is ready in 15 minutes!
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5-Star Review
“This is my favorite side dish!!” -April
Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe
The classic broccoli salad has had a makeover! My recipe is so creamy and delicious, it’s a perfect side to serve to friends and family over the holiday season. Ready in just 15 minutes and loaded with texture from the crispy bacon, crunchy broccoli, and chewy sunflower seeds, it doesn’t get any better than this.
The bacon adds a wonderful smoky and salty flavor to the dish, and let’s be honest, it’s everyone’s favorite bit. To add a festive element, I tossed in some cranberries, which add a hit of sweetness as well as a pop of color.
This is a great base salad that I change up depending on my mood and what I’ve got on hand.
Tips For Beginners and Variations
- Dry the broccoli well . Wash the broccoli and ensure that it is dried thoroughly.
- Blanching optional . I don’t blanch my broccoli, but you can if you like. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook for 60 seconds. Drain, rinse in cold water, and pat dry.
- Reduce the bite in the onions . Soak the cut pieces in ice water for 10 minutes.
- Reduce the calorie and fat content . Use a low or nonfat mayonnaise.
- Change up the mix-ins . Swap the cranberries for other dried fruit and use a different seed or nut.
- Make it vegetarian . Use vegan bacon or roasted mushrooms instead of the bacon.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 24 oz. broccoli florets (about 5 cups), do not use frozen
- ▢ ½ cup dried cranberries
- ▢ ½ cup bacon crumbles or 8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ▢ 1 red onion diced
- ▢ ½ cup toasted sunflower kernels
- ▢ 1 cup mayonnaise
- ▢ 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ▢ 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ½ tsp ground black pepper
Video
Instructions
- Place the broccoli, cranberries, bacon, onion, and sunflower kernels in a large bowl. 24 oz. broccoli florets, ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup bacon crumbles, 1 red onion, ½ cup toasted sunflower kernels
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Pour mayo mixture over broccoli and use a mixing spoon to toss/fully coating the broccoli.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Broccoli Salad with Bacon Step by Step
Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk 1 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp of granulated sugar, ½ tsp of kosher salt, and ½ tsp of ground black pepper until smooth and creamy.
Toss: Pour the mayo mixture over the broccoli and use a mixing spoon to toss/fully coat the broccoli.
Serve: Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to serve. Enjoy.
How to Store
Store leftover broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I highly recommend storing the dressing and salad separately for the crispiest result.
I do not recommend freezing this salad, as the texture will be ruined during the thawing process.
Serving Suggestions
Because this salad is wonderfully creamy, I find it’s perfect to pair with salty foods such as this hearty bacon wrapped turkey breast , these summertime favorite grilled hot dogs , or a sweet and savory smoked ham .
More Salad Recipes To Try
- Featuring crunchy romaine, mixed greens, and my favorite salad fixings, this Green Goddess Salad is then tossed in a creamy mayonnaise–sour cream dressing loaded with fresh herbs.
- Waldorf Salad is a tried and true classic featuring the combination of sweet and creamy flavors and crunchy textures.
- This Kale Salad is fresh and satisfying, with a fresh lemon dressing, crunchy breadcrumbs, and Parmesan.
more broccoli recipes to enjoy
Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin
Chicken Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon
Ingredients
- 24 oz. broccoli florets (about 5 cups), do not use frozen
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup bacon crumbles or 8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 red onion diced
- ½ cup toasted sunflower kernels
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the broccoli, cranberries, bacon, onion, and sunflower kernels in a large bowl. 24 oz. broccoli florets, ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup bacon crumbles, 1 red onion, ½ cup toasted sunflower kernels
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Pour mayo mixture over broccoli and use a mixing spoon to toss/fully coating the broccoli.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
