Easy Broccoli Bacon Salad (Perfect Side Dish Recipe!)
This broccoli bacon salad recipe is the perfect blend of crunchy, sweet, and savory. A must-try for salad lovers looking for a new family-favorite flavor twist!
To begin your easy broccoli salad, start by preparing your fresh broccoli florets. Rinse the broccoli under cool running water to ensure any dirt or debris is thoroughly washed away.
Once rinsed, slice the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces that are easy to eat. We want every bite of this salad to be packed with flavors, so the size of your broccoli pieces matters.
After you’ve cut the broccoli, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over it. This adds a touch of citrusy freshness to the salad and helps to keep the broccoli vibrant. Mix the broccoli well for about 30 seconds, ensuring that all the pieces are coated with the lemon juice.
There should be very little juice left at the bottom of the plate. Allow the broccoli to sit on your countertop for about an hour and a half. This step will help the broccoli to absorb the lemon juice and enhance its flavor.
While the broccoli is marinating, it’s time to cook your bacon. Fry the bacon in a pan or broil bacon in the oven until it’s crispy and golden brown. Once cooked, transfer the bacon onto a paper towel. The paper towel will absorb any excess oil, leaving you with perfectly crispy pieces of bacon.
Once the bacon has cooled down, cut it into small pieces. These small pieces will not only add a savory crunch to your salad but also infuse each bite with a smoky bacon flavor.
How to Cook Bacon
While the broccoli is marinating, it’s time to cook your bacon. Fry the bacon in a pan or broil bacon in the oven until it’s crispy and golden brown. Once cooked, transfer the bacon onto a paper towel. The paper towel will absorb any excess oil, leaving you with perfectly crispy pieces of bacon.
Once the bacon has cooled down, cut it into small pieces. These small pieces will not only add a savory crunch to your salad but also infuse each bite with a smoky bacon flavor.
How to Prep Veggies
Next, it’s time to prep the rest of your vegetables. Rinse and dice the red onion, ensuring the pieces are small enough to blend well with the other ingredients. If you’re adding any other vegetables, make sure they’re also cut into bite-sized pieces.
Place all your prepared vegetables and bacon into a large bowl. This will be your main salad bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic food wrap and pop it in the fridge. Keeping the salad in the fridge will allow the ingredients to chill and the flavors to meld together.
How to Assemble Broccoli Bacon Salad
Just before you’re ready to serve the salad, prepare your broccoli salad dressing. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, and ranch.
Whisk these ingredients together until smooth. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to ensure every piece is coated.
At this point, add salt and pepper to taste. Giving it a final stir will ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.