Bring the beloved deli classic home with this quick, fresh recipe for the ultimate bacon-laced broccoli salad.
Broccoli salad combined with bacon… alongside grapes? And cheese? And almonds? Have I completely lost the plot?
Sounds a little odd, doesn't it? Yet a single bite of this contemporary twist on a deli staple and I promise you'll fall head over heels for this beloved family recipe, perfect for summer cookouts, autumn parties, winter potlucks, and spring celebrations!
It's genuinely an every-day-of-the-year dish that elevates a humble cruciferous vegetable into a true showstopper of a side. And it happens to deliver every essential texture and flavor element, striking the ideal balance of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory.
Despite how effortless this recipe looks (we're talking whisk the dressing, toss in the ingredients, give it a stir), there's one move—well, actually, the omission of a move—that decides whether this dish truly claims the title of "The Ultimate Broccoli Salad" or merely earns "Just Your Everyday Broccoli Salad." It all boils down to a single word: blanch.
In other words: "No way, no how, never blanch the broccoli!"
Here's the catch: when you blanch the broccoli—whether to enhance its color or gently soften it—you simply can't dry it completely enough to keep extra moisture from sneaking in. And moisture plus this extra-creamy dressing? They definitely don't get along.
So skip the extra step, save a little water, and keep it simple with classic raw broccoli that may look a bit duller but absolutely, positively makes the finest broccoli salad (with bacon… and grapes… and cheese… and almonds).
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The Ultimate Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- 3 medium heads broccoli, cut into florets
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 cups red grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons whole or nonfat milk
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
In a large bowl, stir together the broccoli florets, sliced scallions, diced red onion, shredded mozzarella cheese and grapes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, white vinegar and milk. Taste and season the dressing with salt and pepper.
Add the dressing to the bowl with the broccoli, tossing to combine, then stir in the sliced almonds and crumbled bacon. Serve immediately or store, covered, in the fridge until ready to serve.
Kelly's Note
For the best results, prepare this salad a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator so the flavors have time to meld.
★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition Facts
The Ultimate Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Amount Per Serving
Calories 257 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 248mg 10%
Potassium 415mg 12%
Total Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 13g
Protein 8g 16%
Vitamin A 12.6%
Vitamin C 88.1%
Calcium 12.8%
Iron 5.9%
- Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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