Broccoli salad with bacon is an easy recipe that is perfect for weeknights and holiday dinners alike! Even better, this recipe is low carb and keto-friendly. This broccoli salad is full of flavor from bacon bits, sliced almonds, cheddar, red onions, and an easy 3 ingredient dressing.
I had some leftover broccoli after making my Broccoli Cheese Casserole. It's the end of summer, and I'm still holding on to the last little bit that we have left!
Fresh broccoli salad has always been one of my favorite summer recipes. Though, I also love making it as a side dish during the holidays as well!
You can enjoy broccoli salad with bacon as a side dish or on its own. It's also great for potlucks being that you can make it ahead of time. Just hold off on adding the bacon until it's ready to serve to avoid the bacon getting soggy.
Does broccoli need to be blanched for broccoli salad?
No, there is no need to blanch the broccoli for this recipe! In fact, you want to be sure to use fresh crisp broccoli. The salad dressing will moisten the broccoli just a little bit while still leaving it crunchy. Think coleslaw, just with broccoli instead of cabbage!
How long does Broccoli Salad last in the refrigerator?
Broccoli salad last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the bacon will begin to get soggy as it soaks up the dressing. If you plan on making the salad ahead of time, add the crumbled bacon once you are ready to serve it. This will ensure that the bacon stays crunchy.
Do you steam Broccoli for Broccoli salad?
No, you do not steam broccoli for broccoli salad. You'll want to use fresh broccoli so that the broccoli remains crisp. It is perfectly fine to eat broccoli raw in a salad. In fact, raw broccoli contains more nutrients than cooked broccoli so it's very healthy!
How to make broccoli salad with bacon
For this low carb recipe you will need the following:
- Broccoli Florets - This would equal about 2 large crowns of broccoli.
- Crumbled Bacon - Be sure to fry the bacon first of course. I have used bacon bits for this recipe in the past when I was short on time.
- Sliced Almonds - They add an additional layer of flavor to this recipe, and a nice crunch as well. They're also super healthy and add some extra protein!
- Shredded Cheddar - Because broccoli and cheese just go together!
- Chopped Red Onion - The onion adds a nice zest to this recipe, along with some nice vibrant color!
- Mayonnaise - This will be the base for the salad dressing.
- Sweetener - Traditional broccoli salad uses sugar to add some sweetness to the salad dressing. I love using Swerve because it measures cup for cup just like real sugar and doesn't sacrifice taste.
- White Vinegar - To give the dressing some tang!
- Salt and Pepper
To make the broccoli salad:
Start by adding the broccoli, crumbled bacon, almonds, cheddar, and red onion to a large mixing bowl.
Next, in a separate small bowl mix the mayonnaise, sweetener, and vinegar to make the salad dressing. Season it with a little salt and pepper to taste.
Then, add the salad dressing to the broccoli mixture and toss until the salad is well coated.
Refrigerate for one hour prior to serving.
What to serve with Broccoli salad
Broccoli salad can be served on its own or as a side dish. It would pair well with grilled chicken, Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Crispy Oven Fried Chicken Wings, or these delicious Air Fryer Brats. A lot of times, I just eat it on its own because it's that good and full of protein!
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheddar
An easy broccoli salad with bacon and cheddar cheese. This recipe is perfect for family dinners and potlucks alike!
Ingredients
- 5 cups fresh broccoli florets, (about 2 crowns)
- 1 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup cheddar
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
For the dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweetener, (I used Swerve)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add the broccoli, bacon, almonds, cheddar, and onion to a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Swerve, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Add the mayonnaise salad dressing mixture to the broccoli salad and toss to combine. Be sure that the entire salad is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour, and then serve.
Notes
You may add the bacon to the salad after it's done refrigerating in order to avoid the bacon getting soggy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 415Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 786mgCarbohydrates: 11gNet Carbohydrates: 6gFiber: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 17g
Kay is passionate about living a healthy low carb lifestyle. She loves low carb comfort foods that are also family-friendly!
New 2 keto
I love this, I do use light mayo and stevia. I could eat this all day long, which is the bad part.
I'm glad that you enjoyed it!
patty bishop
making this now
I hope that you enjoyed it!
Baba
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead ? I don't have white vinegar .
I'm sure that would be fine.
Jennifer Parker
We loved it! I used red wine vinegar instead of white vinegar. I pinned this recipe. It was great!!! Thanks for sharing it with us.
I love to hear this! It is my pleasure, thank you!
Luanne
Use dill pickle juice! in the mayo stead of the sweetener and vinegar. It makes a tangy dressing!!
Patricia
Can I use sunflower seeds? I don’t have almonds
Yes, sure that would be fine.
Brad
Great dish! Whole family loved it. Planning on making it again for Father's Day cookout. Thanks for sharing!!
Awesome! I hope that you all enjoy it!
Kaitlyn
Can I use regular sugar or would it affect the taste? I dont have any other type of sweetener 😵
Swerve tastes and measures exactly like regular sugar. You can certainly use regular sugar. It will still taste delicious!
Barb
Made this yesterday and it was a huge hit! So yummy! I see it makes 8 servings and the nutrient info is for 1 serving. How much is 1 serving?
Anthony
I hate Mayo. Is there anything else you can substitute It with?
You could try plain greek yogurt instead. Keep in mind that the consistency of the dressing will different.
Cindy Kaye
Is there an actual recipe? I see the ingredients but not amounts of each ingredient. Thanks! I am trying to make this for our Anniversary dinner.
Hi, yes the recipe card is at the bottom of the post. Happy Anniversary!
Karen
I first tasted this broccoli salad while visiting family in Utah and I asked for this recipe. Now I can share it with others and Everyone loves it. Great with anything from the grill in summer.
Thank you! It's definitely one of my favorite recipes!
Nancy
This is soooo good! One of the best broccoli salads I’ve tried!
Thank you! I'm happy that you enjoyed it!
Alexandria
Just made this! Easy and delicious! I used apple cider vinegar and a squirt of liquid stevia with the swerve to offset the “cooling effect.”
Thank you! I'm happy that you found it to be both easy and delicious!
Natalie
This. Is. Delicious!!!!!! I used Splenda because that’s what I had and I also added some sunflower seeds. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!!
Thank you, that sounds delicious!
Bella
I’m using walnuts instead of almonds since they’re ant-inflammatory and have extra health benefits — and keto approved. Yum
MonaLisa
I just put this together for dinner tonight. It is very good (I used Allulose sweetener)! Hubby not a fan of cauliflower so I struggle with what sides to make. Hopefully, he'll like this as much as I do! Thank you!