Mouth-watering Broccoli Salad recipe with bacon, grapes, blue cheese, and walnuts, in a Dijon cider vinaigrette. Sweet and savory broccoli bacon salad is perfect for any occasion, any season of the year!
When is the last time you took a bite of broccoli, bacon, grapes, walnuts, and blue cheese? If the answer is "never", you're missing out, my friend! When you combine bitter broccoli with savory bacon and salty blue cheese and sweet red grapes, all tossed in a sweet and spicy Dijon vinaigrette, well, the planets pretty much align!
Ingredient notes
- broccoli florets
- bacon
- grapes
- red onion
- blue cheese (or gorgonzola)
- walnuts
- extra virgin olive oil
- apple cider vinegar
- maple syrup
- Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
How to make broccoli salad
* see full recipe below
Step 1. Whip up that gorgeous sweet and savory cider-Dijon vinaigrette (so easy!)
Step 2. Chop the produce (or buy pre-cut produce).
Step 3. Cover and refrigerate the dressing and salad ingredients separately until ready to serve.
Step 4. To serve, toss the salad in the creamy vinaigrette and devour!
Should I steam the broccoli for broccoli salad?
I prefer to keep the broccoli raw in this salad however you are welcome to steam it if you prefer. If you do, I recommend lightly steaming followed by an ice bath (also called blanching). I enjoy the crunch of raw broccoli in this salad and I feel like I’m achieving my veggie quota in the most delicious way.
How to chop broccoli for salad
The key to eating raw broccoli in a salad is to chop the broccoli pieces small enough so you can get other ingredients on the same fork. This way, you won't find yourself endlessly chomping on a piece of broccoli, which would be kinda boring to the palate. This salad is all about balancing the flavors and textures.
How to make broccoli salad dressing
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil whisking rigorously to form an emulsion (it will become thicker).
- Cover and refrigerate salad dressing until ready to serve. It will get thicker and creamier as it gets colder.
Recommended salad recipes
- BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado and Ranch
- Citrus Salad
- Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
What to serve with broccoli bacon salad
- Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
- Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs
- Broiled Salmon
- Baked Chicken Legs
- Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon
Broccoli Salad with Bacon
INGREDIENTS
For the salad
- 4 cups Broccoli Florets, about ¾ pound broccoli
- ½ cup Crumbled Bacon, about 6 strips or 2 ounces
- 2 cups Red Grapes
- ¼ Red Onion, ¼ cup diced
- ¼ cup Blue Cheese Crumbles
- ¼ cup Walnuts, chopped
For the dressing (yield ½ cup)
- 3 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar, or white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 2 teaspoons Dijon
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
For the salad
- In a mixing bowl, combine BROCCOLI, GRAPES, BACON, ONIONS, BLUE CHEESE, and WALNUTS; chill until ready to use. * see recipe footnote about broccoli
For the dressing
- Whisk together VINEGAR, MAPLE SYRUP, DIJON, SALT, and PEPPER; drizzle in OLIVE OIL and whisk rapidly to form creamy dressing; chill until ready to use.
- To serve, toss broccoli salad with vinaigrette. Serve chilled.
RECIPE VIDEO
Traci's Recipe Notes
Equipment
- serving utensils
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
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
JB 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 Azmanov 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 - My Custard Pie 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 at SavorySpin 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 🙂