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Broccoli grape salad is a crowd favorite with broccoli, grapes, bacon, blue cheese, walnuts, and no-mayo vinaigrette—ideal for summer parties!
Try my pasta BLT salad or my loaded potato salad next!
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Why you'll love this recipe
This broccoli grape salad has everything I love in a summer side—sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy all at once. It’s made with simple ingredients, doesn’t use mayo, and can be tossed together right before serving or prepped ahead of time.
I first came across this combo during my deli manager days—it was a staple on the menu, and people would wait for it to hit the shelf and I totally get why. The combo of fresh broccoli, plump grapes, smoky bacon, tangy blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts in a sweet vinaigrette make it a total crowd-pleaser at any summer cookout!
Ingredients
- Fresh broccoli – The crunchy base of the salad and the star of the bowl—broccoli adds fiber, nutrients, and satisfying texture.
- Bacon – Adds a savory, salty bite that balances the sweetness from the grapes and dressing.
- Grapes – Juicy and refreshing, grapes bring bursts of sweetness that contrast perfectly with the salty and tangy elements.
- Red onion – Gives the salad a little bite and sharpness, helping balance the richness of the bacon and cheese.
- Blue cheese – Brings bold, tangy flavor and creamy texture that ties everything together—just enough to stand out without overpowering.
- Walnuts – Offer crunch and nutty flavor, plus a boost of healthy fats and protein. Toast them for extra flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Forms the base of the vinaigrette. Adds richness and helps coat the ingredients without being heavy.
- Apple cider vinegar – Gives the dressing a bright, tangy kick with just a hint of sweetness.
- Maple syrup – Adds subtle sweetness to round out the dressing and balance the salty and sharp flavors.
- Dijon mustard – Adds a gentle sharpness and helps emulsify the oil and vinegar so the dressing stays smooth.
- Salt and black pepper – Season to taste. A pinch of both brings out all the other flavors.
How to make broccoli grape salad
First, rinse and dry the broccoli, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. Dice the red onion, crumble the bacon and blue cheese, and chop the walnuts if they aren’t already.
Next, add the grapes, bacon, red onion, blue cheese, and walnuts. Give it a gentle toss to combine, then cover and refrigerate while you make the dressing.
Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon, salt, and pepper. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing is smooth and lightly creamy.
At this point, you can either pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat, or cover and refrigerate both until ready to serve.
When you're ready to serve, pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
Pro tip: Use your hands to mix the salad, instead of salad tongs. This helps work the dressing into all the little broccoli crevices for extra softening and more flavor in every bite.
Recipe Tips
- Blanching Option: For a slightly softer texture, you can blanch the broccoli. Just boil for 1 minute, then transfer to an ice water bath to cool completely.
- Whole or halved grapes: I prefer to leave them whole so they stay juicy and don’t get smashed, but you can slice them in half if you prefer.
- Use Seedless Grapes: Always choose seedless grapes for this salad—biting into a seed is not a pleasant surprise.
- Blue Cheese Tip: A wedge of blue cheese offers better flavor and texture than the pre-crumbled kind. Just break it up with a fork for soft, creamy crumbles. That said, use whatever you have on hand.
- Time-Saving Shortcuts: Store-bought shortcuts work great here. Look for pre-chopped broccoli, diced red onion, crumbled bacon, or chopped walnuts in the produce or salad bar section.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep all the ingredients and dressing in advance. Keep them stored separately in the fridge and toss together just before serving so the salad stays crisp and fresh.
Recipe Variations
- Add Apples: For extra crunch and natural sweetness, toss in a chopped apple—Honeycrisp or Fuji work especially well.
- Swap the Cheese: Try feta or goat cheese instead of blue cheese if you prefer a milder flavor or softer texture.
- Change the Nuts: Use pecans, slivered almonds, or pepitas in place of walnuts. Each adds a slightly different flavor and crunch.
- Toast the Nuts: Toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet for a few minutes brings out even more nutty flavor. Let them cool before adding.
- Vinegar Options: Don’t have apple cider vinegar? Red wine vinegar or balsamic are both great alternatives that slightly change the flavor profile.
- No Mayo Here: This version skips mayonnaise in favor of a light vinaigrette. But if you’re craving a more classic broccoli salad, feel free to swap in mayo for the oil in the dressing.
Serving ideas
Serve broccoli grape salad alongside TKG favorites, such as easy baked chicken legs, and grilled salmon. It also pairs well with roasted chicken, pan-seared steak, or pork.
More summer salads to love
- Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Grilled Zucchini Corn Salad
- Greek Chickpea Salad
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Creamy Macaroni Salad
📖 Recipe
Broccoli Grape Salad Recipe
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Video
Note about scaling
When scaling (2x or 3x), the light gray ingredient amount doesn’t scale. Please adjust those accordingly.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh Broccoli, about 6 cups
- 2 cups Red Grapes
- ½ cup Crumbled Bacon, about 6 strips or 2 ounces
- ½ small Red Onion, ¼ cup diced
- ¼ cup Crumbled Blue Cheese
- ¼ cup Walnuts, chopped
- 3 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 2 teaspoons Dijon
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt, or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper, or to taste
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the BROCCOLI. Chop into small, bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, COMBINE the BROCCOLI, GRAPES, BACON, RED ONION, BLUE CHEESE, and WALNUTS. Cover and refrigerate until ready to dress.
- In a separate bowl, WHISK together the VINEGAR, MAPLE SYRUP, DIJON, SALT, and PEPPER. Slowly DRIZZLE in the OLIVE OIL while whisking to emulsify. Cover and refrigerate.
- When ready to serve, POUR the dressing over the salad and TOSS until evenly coated.
Recipe Notes
Equipment
- serving utensils
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.
Mamadawg GF says
I just made this broccoli salad and WOW what a great combination of ingredients, it's a flavor explosion. They just compliment each other so well. I have to admit that I think I put just a little bit more bleu cheese in mine but not enough to overtake the other ingredients. (Cuz I love me some blue cheese!) 🙂 I absolutely love this salad and will be making it frequently this summer. Good job Kitchen Girl!!
Traci says
Yay!!! I'm so glad you went for it and love it as much as we do! I'm all for more BC lol because YUM! Thanks for sharing details of your experience 🙂 xoxo
JayBee says
Wow! I never would have thought to put grapes and broccoli together, but it's delicious! The other ingredients make it even more interesting with flavor and texture. Excellent with grilled meats. Than you for sharing!
Traci says
You're so welcome and I'm glad you went for it!! Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
Jyoti says
Very yum, we had some reservations with raw broccoli, but it came out so well! Everything was just perfect
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayy! Yes, I totally understand the hesitation but it just works so nicely in this, doesn't it 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback. So glad you enjoyed!
jack says
I am loving this recipe, that dressing is amazing 🙂
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks so much, Jack Yes, the dressing really brings this broccoli salad together for a flavor party
Jacqueline Meldrum says
It's so colourful and broccoli is so good in salads. Perfect for the summer.
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Jacqueline...all color credit goes to the produce
Jeff says
Just had this broccoli salad with smoked pork loin for dinner tonight and it was a home run. It's easy, loaded with flavor, and goes perfect with roasted or smoked meats.
The Kitchen Girl says
I'm so glad you love this broccoli salad as much as I do, JB You're right, it IS perfect with smoked meats YUMMM
Pam Reimer says
This beautiful and delicious salad is a regular at my house. It's super easy to prep the ingredients and just assemble whenever you are hungry. It also tastes great with a store bought strawberry vinaigrette dressing.
Traci Antonovich says
I'm SO glad to hear this, Pam! That dressing sounds amazing too 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to let me know...I appreciate you
Mel says
Broccoli and blue cheese work so well together! Can I come for lunch? I'd love your salad!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks...grab a fork, Mel! 🙂
Karyn says
What a delicious combo of ingredients. I especially love that you added broccoli..it's my favorite veg
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Karyn...right there with you on the broccoli love 🙂
Elaine Benoit says
I love everything about this broccoli salad! Love all the ingredients you've put together and can't wait to make it!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Elaine! Hope you love it! 😉
Veena says
Salads are my all time favorite. Love the healthy options like walnuts, broccoli, grapes and off course also love Bacon and Cheese. I am already craving for it. Love the combination of the Salad dressing too.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Veena! Love hearing that 🙂
Cliona Keane says
This looks like it has so much crunch and texture to it! A delicious salad!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Cliona! Yes, all the crunch and texture is here 🙂
Wajeeha Nadeem says
I love all the textures going on in this salad. I'm actually not really into healthy eating, but I absolutely love broccoli. I love the addition of red grapes, they make the salad look gorgeous too. I'll be trying this salad very soon. Do you think slivered almonds in place of the walnuts would be a good addition? Thanks! 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Wajeeha! Yep, I think slivered almonds would be excellent in this salad, and they'd hold up well too (since they're thicker than sliced almonds). Hope you get to try it out...and LOVE it 🙂
Elizabeth says
What a wonderful variety of textures and flavours in this salad! I'll have to try it for myself soon!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Elizabeth...hope you do get to try it! 🙂
Sally says
What a fabulous combination of ingredients. Trying this on my OH - I think he'll be surprised.
Traci Antonovich says
Yay thanks Sally! Hope he loves it 🙂
jillian says
I love, love salads and blue cheese is a definite fav. addition too!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay thanks Jillian! I'm pretty crazy about blue cheese too! 🙂
Sara Lehman says
This looks like a tasty salad! Can't wait to try it!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay Sara! Hope you love it! 🙂
Veena Azmanov says
Wow this salad looks very easy and delicious! I like that one of the ingredients is Broccoli. Because I love broccoli. I definitely want to try this salad! Thanks for the great recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Veena, I'm with you on the broccoli love! Hope you get to try this one out! 🙂
Rae says
You've hit a home run with this salad, it'll be absolutely perfect on a warm day when it's too hot to cook.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Rae...bring on those warm days and all the salads 🙂
Leslie says
I love the flavors here...smoky, salty, sweet, savory...so much going on in this salad. The colors are very appetizing, too!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Leslie...you're spot on about those flavors! One of my most favorite salads for sure 🙂
Ginny says
Love all those grapes and broccoli in that salad. Those little bits of walnut sound perfect too!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Ginny! Yeah, this salad's all about that texture...and I am crazy for walnuts too! 🙂
Shashi says
YES - YES - the planets most definitely align with this combo of bitter, savory, salty, and delightfully sweet! What a delicious combo of flavors AND textures!!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Shashi! I love your enthusiasm about this recipe! I feel the same way 🙂