Amish Broccoli Salad tosses crisp broccoli, bacon, and cheddar in a tangy, slightly sweet dressing. It’s a potluck favorite that actually tastes better the longer it sits. If your family likes broccoli, try my recipe for Broccoli Coleslaw or Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole.
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Why this Recipe is a Keeper
This salad gets better the longer it sits in the fridge. Here’s why it’s worth keeping in your potluck rotation.
- 15-Minute Prep: Just toss it together and let the fridge do the rest.
- Easy Ingredients: Broccoli, bacon, cheese, and a handful of pantry staples are all you need.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This salad holds up well for days, so it’s perfect for meal prep.
- Family Friendly: Bacon and cheese make this an easy sell, even for picky eaters.
How Do You Pick the Best Broccoli?
Look for broccoli crowns with tightly packed, dark green florets. Avoid any with loose or yellowing florets, since that’s a sign they’re past their prime.
Fresh broccoli holds its crunch best in this salad. If the florets feel soft or the stems look dried out, pick a different head.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“Scrumptious! My family loves broccoli and cheese salad. Your recipe is one of the best. Thanks for sharing!” — Glenda
Ingredient Notes
A couple of ingredients give this salad its signature crunch and flavor.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Broccoli: Cut the crowns into small, bite-sized florets so every forkful gets some.
- Red Onion: This adds a pop of color and a little bite to balance the creamy dressing.
Variations and Substitutions
This salad is easy to adjust to your taste.
➡️ Add Crunch: Sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts add extra texture.
➡️ Make it Sweet: Stir in raisins, dried cranberries, or halved grapes for a sweet contrast.
➡️ Swap the Cheese: Use colby jack or a reduced-fat cheddar instead of regular cheddar.
➡️ Lighten the Dressing: Replace some or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
How to Make the Recipe
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Combine the broccoli, bacon, cheese, and onion in a large bowl.
- Toss the salad with the dressing until evenly coated.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving.
Prep Ahead and Short Cut Tips
This salad is practically built for making ahead of time.
➡️ Use Precut Broccoli: Bagged, precut florets save time on busy days.
➡️ Make the Dressing Ahead: Whisk it together a day in advance and store it in the fridge.
➡️ Cook the Bacon Early: Crumbled, cooked bacon keeps well in the fridge for a few days.
Alternate Cooking Methods
Prefer a softer broccoli texture? Try blanching it first.
- Blanched Broccoli: Boil the florets briefly in salted water, then shock them in ice water for a softer bite.
How Long Will This Salad Last in the Fridge?
Properly stored in an airtight container, this salad stays fresh in the fridge for three to five days. The broccoli softens slightly over time but keeps its flavor.
This makes it a great option for meal prep or make-ahead entertaining. Just give it a quick stir before serving if the dressing has settled.
How to Store, Reheat, and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Keep this salad in an airtight container in the fridge for three to five days.
- Reheating: This salad is served cold, so no reheating is needed.
- Using Leftovers: Serve leftovers alongside Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon for a potluck spread. Or stir extra into Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole for a different broccoli dish
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
➡️ Use Precut Broccoli: This is a real time-saver on busy prep days.
➡️ Try Turkey Bacon: A leaner swap that still adds smoky flavor.
➡️ Add Sunflower Seeds: A sprinkle on top adds crunch right before serving.
➡️ Make it a Main: Add grilled chicken to turn this side into a full meal.
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Easy Broccoli Bacon Cheese Salad
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Equipment
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Ingredients
- 6 cups Broccoli florets
- 8 slices Bacon, cooked and diced
- 1½ cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ Red onion, diced
- ⅔ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- ¼ cup Red wine vinegar
- ⅛ cup White sugar
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning Blend
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, and All Purpose Seasoning Blend in a small bowl.
- Combine the broccoli, bacon, cheddar cheese, and onion in a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight, before serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Cut Broccoli Into Small Florets: Smaller pieces soak up more dressing and are easier to eat in one bite.
- Whisk the Dressing Well: A fully combined dressing coats the salad evenly instead of pooling at the bottom.
- Chill Before Serving: At least 1 hour lets the broccoli soften slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Keep It Refrigerated: This salad contains mayo and dairy, so store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
We love honest feedback, but to keep reviews helpful for everyone, we reserve the right to remove star ratings if it is clear the recipe has not been made, if the comment does not provide meaningful input, or if significant substitutions or alterations were made. Please note that ratings should reflect the original recipe as written to avoid confusing other readers.
This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.
This is a summer cook out favorite!
Scrumptious! My family loves broccoli and cheese salad. Your recipe is one of the best. Thanks for sharing!
This was the perfect salad! The bacon and broccoli combination was flavorful and delicious! Thanks for the recipe.