Our Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Apple is an upgraded version of the crowd-pleasing classic — with sweet-tart apples, smoky bacon, crunchy walnuts, and a creamy homemade poppyseed dressing.
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing side to bring to a potluck, pack up for a picnic, or serve at a backyard barbeque, look no further than this recipe for broccoli salad!
Just like the version you grew up with, our version is made with a base of crispy-crunchy broccoli that gets tossed in a creamy dressing. But we upgraded the standard broccoli salad recipe by adding sweet-tart apples, salty, smoky bacon, and crunchy walnuts.
Not only does it come together quickly (if you’ve got 15 minutes, you’ve got time to whip it up!), but it holds up well in the fridge, so it’s still got that satisfying crunch even after chillin’ for a few days.
Looking for more veggie sides for your next barbeque or potluck? Try our delicious Spicy Watermelon Salad, Curried Green Bean Salad, Raw Fennel Zucchini Salad, or Strawberry Spinach Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-pleasing recipe that’s sure to please!
- Ready in just 15 minutes
- Keeps well, and stays crunchy for a few days
Broccoli Salad Recipe Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up this easy broccoli salad recipe. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and swaps) below.
For the salad:
- Broccoli – the base of this salad is 6 cups of broccoli florets, AKA 2 medium-sized heads
- Apple – you’ll need 1 small red apple
- Walnuts – we call for 1/2 cup
- Bacon – 5 slices, cooked and crumbled adds salty, smoky flavor
- Onion – you’ll use 1/2 diced purple onion
For the dressing:
- Mayo – we call for 3/4 cup of avocado oil mayo
- Lemon juice – you’ll need 2 tablespoons, which is the juice from 1 lemon
- Honey – use 2 tablespoons of honey (omit this ingredient for Whole 30 diets)
- Poppyseeds – 1 teaspoon of poppyseeds add color and crunch
- Sea salt – you’ll use 1/2 teaspoon of coarse sea salt
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations and Modifications
Don’t be afraid to mix it up! Here are some easy ways to make this salad recipe your own:
- Blue cheese – add some salty, creamy blue cheese to make this recipe extra decadent.
- Chilled pasta – for a yummy carbs boost, toss the salad with some chilled bowties, penne, or other short pasta shape.
- Herbs – fresh parsley, basil, or tarragon would all be great additions!
- Nuts – if you don’t have walnuts on hand, swap in pecans, hazelnuts, or pepitas instead
How to Make Our Best Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon
This broccoli bacon salad recipe comes together in just a few steps.
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, apple slices, walnuts, bacon, and purple onion.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk all of the ingredients for the dressing.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture.
Step 4: Toss to coat and serve!
Recipe Tip
Store separately – this recipe holds up well and stays crunchy for a few days in the fridge. But if you want to make it a day ahead, store the broccoli mix and the dressing separately until ready to serve.
How to Serve
Serve immediately, or chill for a few hours to let the flavors marry.
How to Store and Reheat
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does broccoli salad contain?
Obviously broccoli is the star of the show in this recipe. Our upgraded version on the classic broccoli salad recipe with bacon also includes apples, walnuts, purple onion, and a homemade creamy poppyseed salad dressing.
Why do you blanch broccoli for salad?
You don’t have to blanch broccoli to make this salad: leaving the veggie raw makes it extra crisp and crunchy.
But if you don’t mind the extra step, blanching makes the veggie crisp-tender, and makes the color more vibrantly bright green.
How do you blanch broccoli? Simply bring a big pot of water to a boil, leaving enough room to add the 6 cups of broccoli. Add the veggie, cook for 2-3 minutes, and then transfer to an ice bath to stop it from cooking more with residual heat.
Do you cut the stems off broccoli?
Broccoli stems are delicious and nutritious, so they’re great to eat! You can include bite-size pieces of broccoli in this recipe, or save the stems for stir-fries or soups.
If you tried this recipe for Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Apple, or any other recipe on the Fed & Fit website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
- 2 heads broccoli, chopped into florets (about 6 cups florets)
- 1 small red apple, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 5 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 purple onion, diced
For the dressing:
- 3/4 cup avocado oil mayo
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, about 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons honey, omit for Whole 30
- 1 teaspoon poppyseeds
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, apple slices, walnuts, bacon, and purple onion.
In a small bowl, whisk all of the ingredients for the dressing, then pour over the broccoli mixture and toss to coat.
Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2-3 days.
Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 561mg | Potassium: 784mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1306IU | Vitamin C: 185mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 2mg
About the Author
Elizabeth Brownfield
