Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese

Crisp broccoli florets mingle with savory bites of smoky bacon, tangy cheddar cheese, and zesty red onion in this broccoli salad. Each bite offers a delightful balance of textures and a terrific combination of rich, creamy, and savory notes.

Broccoli Salad with Cheese

Cheddar cheese adds that salty creaminess to this salad. When you add that to the smoky bacon and the sharp crunch of the onion and broccoli, the ingredients complement each other so well – you’ll be left craving just one more bite, and one more bite.

Not that I’m one to turn down added cheese in a salad, (I’m looking at you, Seven Layer Salad, Bacon Pea Salad, and Roasted Beet Salad.) but I just don’t always think of it for broccoli salads.

I’m really glad that I thought of it for this one though. The whole family gave this broccoli salad double thumbs up and I’ve already been asked to make it again.

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

Salad Ingredients 

• bacon
• broccoli
• sharp cheddar
• red onion

Dressing Ingredients

• mayonnaise
• bacon grease
• white wine vinegar
• sugar
• Dijon mustard
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese

Cook the bacon however you like and transfer it to a paper towel to absorb some oil while it cools. (I recommend cooking bacon in the oven.)

While the bacon is cooking, combine the broccoli, cheddar cheese, and red onion in a mixing bowl.

Bacon Cheese Broccoli Salad

In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, stir together the mayonnaise, bacon grease, vinegar, sugar, and mustard. Taste and add salt only if needed.

Chop the bacon and add it to the bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.

Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving to allow the flavors to mingle. This will keep nicely for 2 days. Stir before serving.

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