Broccoli Bacon Salad
This broccoli bacon salad is creamy, crunchy and packed full of flavor. A delicious mixture of broccoli, bacon, red onion, mozzarella cheese and creamy homemade dressing. Say hello to your new favorite salad!
The other day I was emailing with a friend and I told her I had a craving for broccoli salad. She replied I was weird since she only craves potato chips and chocolate. Yeah, I will agree that craving a broccoli salad is a little weird but really this salad is so kick ass you will be craving it too.
I like to think it’s healthy since it’s made mostly of broccoli but if I’m being honest it’s probably more like borderline healthy. It’s got a healthy dose of crispy bacon mixed in and a delicious tangy creamy dressing made out of mayonnaise. If you’re one of those mayo haters it’s ok this is barely mayo tasting. Heck, who am I kidding. You could still hate this salad BUT I have a feeling Greek yogurt might be a delicious substitute.
You know else is awesome about this salad? Not only is it perfect for Easter it’s perfect for parties. What party you might ask? Wellllllll how about a surprise wedding shower for my friend Stephie over at Stephie Cooks! The theme of her wedding is “rustic elegance” and while I agree my salad is not the most elegant looking salad in the words it’s damn tasty!
Plus bacon. Who doesn’t love bacon?
{If you don’t know Stephie you need to hope on over to her blog and check her out! She is hilarious and whips up some damn tasty food. Plus she likes to tweet with me when I live tweet the Bachelor/ette.
Looking for more delicious salads? Try my farro carrot pomegranate salad, corn blueberry salad or my strawberry goat cheese quinoa salad.

Broccoli Bacon Salad
This broccoli bacon salad is creamy, crunchy and packed full of flavor. A delicious mixture of broccoli, bacon, red onion, mozzarella cheese and creamy homemade dressing. Say hello to your new favorite salad!
Yield: 6 side dish servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 5 cups raw small broccoli florets
- 1 small red onion, small dice
- 6 thick slices of cooked crispy bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl add broccoli, red onion, crumbled bacon and shredded mozzarella.
In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, dark brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and a few cracks of black pepper.
Pour dressing over broccoli and stir to combine.
Let the salad rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. Keep refrigerated until ready to eat.
Note: As you can see from the pictures my salad is not super coated in dressing. If you like a more dressing coated salad you can just up your mayonnaise to 1 cup.
Make sure to check out all these other tasty treats from all the people who love and adore Stephie.
The Cooking Actress – Chocolate Shoofly Pie with Pecan Whole Wheat Crust
Girl Versus Dough – Mini Meyer Lemon Coconut Scones
Sarcastic Cooking – Mini Buffalo Blue Cheese Chicken Pot Pies
The Roasted Root – Sweet Potato Rounds with Guacamole and Bacon
A Cedar Spoon – Strawberry Mint Mascarpone Crostini with Lemon Honey Drizzle
Very Culinary – White Chocolate Raspberry Parfaits
Rachel Cooks – Broccoli and Bacon Beer Cheese Dip
Bluebonnet Baker – Maple Bourbon Balls
Laura’s Mess – Spiced Apple and Buttermilk Cake
Seaweed and Sassafras – Herb and Cheese Scones
Stetted – Meyer Lemon Meringue Pie
All Day I Dream About Food – Chocolate Fudge Crumb Bars
Dessert for Two – Mini Lemon Cakes
Foodie with Family – Smoked Salmon Cucumber Pizza
I love broccoli salad and bacon of course makes everything better!
We make an almost identical salad – and I agree – it’s the BEST! Forget the rest of the menu – just give me a bowl of this salad!
I get it – I love me some Broccoli salad. This version sounds (and looks, of course) fantastic!
Yay for this salad and yay for Stephie! And I have to disagree with you for a moment. I think this salad is plenty elegant… but then, I’m me 😀 One way or the other, just leave me alone with this salad and a fork and I’ll be a happy girl.
oh yeah this salad is fantastic!!!! Thanks for joining in today to celebrate Stephie!
Now THIS is my kind of salad. I could eat this by the shovel-ful.
So fun to celebrate Stephie with ya, lady! xo
I don’t think it is weird at all to crave a broccoli salad. We had one last week. I love your spin on it, especially bacon!
Beautiful salad! I don’t mind that it’s borderline healthy- a little fat adds flavor! 🙂
I totally support the broccoli salad craving. And bacon. I’ll always support bacon 🙂
I would have never thought to add bacon to a broccoli salad, but I have to say it’s simply brilliant! The flavors go so well together! And no you’re not weird for craving broccoli salad – I crave salad ALL the time!
I sometimes crave broccoli so it’s not that uncommon. I have a recipe very similar for a broccoli, bacon, and cheddar salad. I may try a substitute for the mayo. I’ve seen some folks use a coconut based mayo.
This is my kind of salad. I could eat the whole plate myself. just saying!
I looooove broccoli salad, especially when it’s only borderline healthy 😉 Thrilled to be hanging with you in this epic virtual baby shower, m’dear! Happy Monday!
Bacon just makes everything better! Love this!
Ahhh!! I just used up all the broccoli in my house last night! I would have loved to make this! Guess it is a future task!
Beautiful! I love a good salad, and you cannot go wrong when bacon is involved!
Delicious broccoli salad! Love the bacon!
I love broccoli, but honestly I have never been tempted to try a broccoli salad until now – it’s probably the bacon 🙂
Broccoli salads are the best–this looks wonderful, especially with that bacon on there.
I am so picky about broccoli salad but this version sounds so good! Can’t wait to try it 🙂
I’ve never had broccoli salad but I’m sure I would love it
Broccoli is too healthy anyways, it NEEDS some bacon. And i need this salad! <3
Umm, what’s wrong with craving broccoli?!?!? I have been known to snack on a little floret with some ranch every now and then! Plus this so reminds me of that broccoli salad at any salad bar, except this is the version I always hope it will be, crispy and flavorful. Great, now I’m craving broccoli.
I was the weird 5 year old who loved broccoli. And I have loved it ever since! This broccoli salad looks absolutely perfect!
Gorgeous salad and it would also work well with Easter.
Bacon!!! I don’t love broccoli or mayo, but enough bacon can definitely tun me into a fan of a salad like this.
You are right anything with bacon is worth it! I love Broccoli so it can only be better with bacon! I kiddo would love this too! Delicious!
What a great looking salad! I love all the crunchiness. I’m thinking this would be very nice to serve up for Easter.
I love broccoli salad too, especially when it has bacon.
I love all things broccoli! This looks incredible.
Broccoli in a salad is always a good i
Thank you sosoooso much for celebrating me today! I feel so special and loved! And I love broccoli salad. My aunt makes one every year for Christmas and oh boy is it good. It’s the bacon that makes it, right?? Give me all my broccoli with bacon and I’ll never cry about eating my veggies.
You’re a doll, thank you again!! Xoxox
Aww.. what a great dish to bring to a wedding shower! I could dig right into this!
I TOTALLY crave broccoli salad! It’s one of my most fave foods ever. Yours looks fantastic!
Craving broccoli is a great thing!! It’s especially great when you crave it and make this super salad!!
Big broccoli salad fan! This looks delicious!
You made bacon healthy – you totally WIN! Love this so much. 🙂
Fresh broccoli salad has always been a favorite of mine. I love yours with the addition of mozzarella cheese.
Bacon and broccoli – a match made in food heaven. I can see why you were craving this!
There’s a salad bar near my office that makes a very similar broccoli salad, so I can totally agree that this is a totally crave-worthy dish. I mean… cheese! and mayo!! and BACON!!!
I’m totally going to make this the next time my broccoli-hating husband is out of town. 🙂
I love crispy salads like this and of course, bacon…I meant it’s perfect! Also, surprise wedding shower are the best!!
So colorful and tasty looking! Love broccoli salad!
Now this is calling my name! Broccoli is my favorite vegetable!
Such a great-looking salad! OF COURSE anything with bacon makes everything better!
Haha… I’ve read some of your and Stephie’s Bachelor/ette tweets, so funny! I’ve never watched the show myself so I have no idea what you’re on about but… well, you almost make me want to 😉 This is a gorgeous post. Such a blessing to be a part of this virtual shower for Stephie! SO nice to meet you (in a virtual setting, but anyway!). P.S I LOVE BROCCOLI xx
I love broccoli and I eat because it’s healthy benefits, so everybody must try this salad. I must try this broccoli bacon salad, look very delicious.
Yummm. I love eating raw broccoli. I’ll use my favourite avocado oil mayo. Love your photos