Our favorite broccoli salad recipe is a mix of broccoli, bacon, cheddar cheese, walnuts, and golden raisins topped with a creamy and sweet mayonnaise yogurt dressing. It’s the best easy and healthy summer BBQ side dish!
I love broccoli.
I love it raw, baked, drenched in cheese, and splashed with balsamic vinegar.
I’ve never met a broccoli dish I didn’t like.
When Joe and I were thinking about adding a vegetable dish to our beloved Thanksgiving feast, we both thought of broccoli, but neither of us had a recipe in mind.
Suddenly, it was the night before our feast, and we still hadn’t decided on a recipe.
I took matters into my own hands. I was glad to have a couple of bags of pre-cut broccoli and used them to make my favorite cold broccoli salad.
My broccoli salad was the biggest hit of the meal. There were only 3 or 4 little broccoli pieces left over, not even a small bowlful.
I was sad about that. I wanted to have it for breakfast the next day. There wasn’t enough left over even for breakfast.
This recipe came out so well that I made it again for our second Thanksgiving feast with Old Grandma, and this time, I doubled the recipe. It lasted a little longer, but not much.
How to make our favorite broccoli salad
- Cook bacon over medium high heat. Drain it well and pat dry to remove as much of the grease as possible. Crumble the dried bacon and set it aside.
- Pour broccoli into a large mixing bowl. Add to it a large handful of golden raisins (my sister says that’s a cup but I think it’s more than that) and a large handful of walnuts. Add the crumbled bacon and two big handfuls of shredded cheddar cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together rice wine vinegar, garlic, sugar, and mayo. Pour the dressing over the broccoli and toss it well. Make sure it’s all blended and well-coated.
- Refrigerate the salad for a couple of hours to overnight to let the flavors blend.
Here are a few more side dishes that you might like:
- Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Fries
- How to Make the Best Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots
- Oven Roasted Red Beets with Low Carb Balsamic Glaze and Feta Cheese
Get 10 of my favorite Instant Pot recipes in my free cookbook, Instant Pot Made Easy! Click the button below to download. If for some reason, the button doesn’t work for you, leave a comment below, and I’ll email it to you.
© 2012 – 2020, Tara Ziegmont. All rights reserved.
Elena says
I like broccoli and cheese soup
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/278303172521504769
Rebecca says
I keep things simple…so, our fave broc recipe is just steaming it. However, THIS will probably replace it!
Mami2jcn says
I like this broccoli chicken recipe–http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Broccoli-Chicken/
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/278311206031343616
Jessie C. says
I like Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli
Jessie C. says
https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/278323614808420352
Carolsue says
Broccoli and Tortellini Salad
http://trickschefs.com/showthread.php?tid=670
Carolsue says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/278325406812213251
Tina M says
Broccoli with Garlic Butter and Cashews
Tina M says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/278543478290513920
Vickie Couturier says
My favorite would be stir fry with Broccoli,chicken,rice ,onions an carrots,very good
Vickie Couturier says
tweet
https://twitter.com/vickiecouturier/status/278655118365306881
Ashley W says
would love to try the beneforte broccoli! my kids and I can’t wait to try this broccoli salad recipe
Ashley W says
https://twitter.com/winkymama05/status/278947551414198273
Jade Nguyen says
I actually like broccoli in chicken stock for a nutritious soup.
Chavonne H says
I had an amazing Broccoli Casserole for Thanksgiving that a friend made. It contained Velveeta Cheese and Bread Crumbs with Broccoli of course, it was insanely delicious!! and I hope she makes it again for Christmas. I could eat that every single day!!
Chavonne H says
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/saveone83/status/279715715886505987
Sue C. says
Your recipe sounds and looks delish! Our family likes to keep broccoli simple, just steamed with a little cheese sauce.
Sue C. says
https://twitter.com/thehappyone/status/279720963480907776
Kathleen says
Broccoli and Cheese soup
kport207 at gmail dot com
Kathleen says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/JT2ofusanddeals/status/279724785792081920
kport207 at gmail dot com
robyn Paris says
I make the cambell soup brocolli caserole which is yummy and my favorite
Danielle Porter says
Broccoli in a chicken, asian stir fry! simple and healthy!
Margaret Smith says
I love broccoli with beef ontop of rice.
Margaret Smith says
I tweeted; https://twitter.com/peg42/status/279752866955132928
Kay C says
I don’t have a recipe for it. But I like cabbage and broccoli bake…with some cream of anything soup and melt cheese over the top. Salt and pepper to taste. Or just love broccoli raw with dip.
Kay C says
https://twitter.com/ACSKay/status/279757416554434562
Ginger says
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Broccoli-Rice-Casserole/
carole says
I like making broccoli soup in my pressure cooker…..so fast and good
carole says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/gram122/status/279776900426113026
Sue Ellison says
I love broccoli and rice casserole
Sue Ellison says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/279778285540495360
Victoria Carlson says
Favorite brocolli recipe is sauteing brocolli, potatoes, minced garlic and basil! Sooo good!
Chaqkins says
Broccoli & Chicken Noodle bake casserole
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/02/chicken-and-broccoli-noodle-casserole.html
Lynda says
i like broccoli salad with raisins
Lynda says
tweeted https://twitter.com/oshkoshbgosh321/status/279809096570507265
Barbara M says
I love Broccoli Bacon salad!
Thank you.
Barbara M says
@JalapenoMama Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/279814445419622400
Debra Pauley says
I like broccoli and cheese soup
Emily Wells says
No specific recipe–just steamed with butter and salt, and I’m a happy camper!!
Kathy Artis says
#1 I tweeted: https://twitter.com/kroseartis/status/279848007070019584
Kathy Artis says
#2 I tweeted: https://twitter.com/kroseartis/status/279848007070019584
Kathy Artis says
I like brocolli with shredded cheese & bacon bits on top
Cynthia C says
I have a good Roasted Broccoli and Red Bell Pepper recipe.
Cynthia C says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/279910161177513986
Kate F. says
I like broccoli in a spicy Asian chicken stir fry.
Adrienne gordon says
mine is broccoli and cheese casserole.
Eve says
I like broccoli and cheese casserole that my mother makes
Eve says
tweeted https://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/279920813547855872
Susan says
My brocolli salad recipe looks very similar to this one! Love it!
Linda Lansford says
I want to make http://beneforte.com/recipes/main/broccoli_beef_soba_noodles.asp
Geoff K says
I love Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli!
Erika Cisneros says
I love broccoli and rice stir fry
Monica says
Longhorn Steakhouse makes the best broccoli!! i do not know what they put in it but it is so good!
Diane L says
My favorite recipe is simply fresh broccoli dipped in Hidden Valley Ranch dressing.
Tabathia B says
I love broccoli with cheese and rice
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/280104530945908736
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Joseph Stowell says
My favorite broccoli recipe is a frittata with broccoli, ham, mushrooms, and feta cheese. Yum!
erica h says
My mom makes an awesome broccoli and cheese recipe with crushed crackers on top
Kyl Neusch says
Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli
Megan Parsons says
I like Broccoli and cheese!!!! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com
sheri says
yum…broccoli
Kelly D says
I like a shrimp & broccoli stir fry.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/280164901345951744
Cheryl Abdelnour says
I like the Broccoli-Sweet Potato Soup— http://beneforte.com/recipes/sides/broccoli_sweet_potato_soup.asp
Cheryl Abdelnour says
I tweeted– https://twitter.com/mt4cb/status/280184763837456385
Judith B. says
My favorite is Cauliflower and Brocolli Au Gratin which uses cream cheese in the sauce and can be found on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNqIr5Ob-yk&feature
Angela Cisco says
Chicken and broccoli Alfredo pizza
Angela Cisco says
tweeted https://twitter.com/angelasbits/status/280251675141357569
micheal dale grim says
i love brocolli and cauliflower and cheese bake!!!yummy
micheal dale grim says
[tweet https://twitter.com/michealgrim/status/280301026823790592%5D
ky2here says
I love indian spices so this is an instant classic: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=278342
ky2here at msn dot com
ky2here says
https://twitter.com/ky2here1/status/280315946172837888
ky2here at msn dot com
Penny says
I’m a simple gal; broccoli and cheese is fine by me 😛
Penny says
https://twitter.com/shinkokami/status/280327748931694592
Wendy Kroy says
I used to love the broccoli and sun dried tomato penne at California Pizza Kitchen years and years ago.
Wendy Kroy says
tweeted at
twitter.com/TwatteringOne/status/280336057122320385
Amy M says
I love simply roasted broccoli….simple and perfect!
Amy M says
Here’s my tweet! https://twitter.com/amiablyamy/status/280337098316320768
Nichola says
Roasted Broccoli- Preheat oven to 425, coat chopped fresh brocolli with olive oil. Add chopped Garlic, roast for 20-25 minutes. Top with parmesan and lemon juice. YUM!
Erica C. says
I like to mix broccoli in fettucini alfredo.
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
broccoli soup
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Kennedy says
I like broccoli with red sauce. And broccoli cheese soup. MMM…
Katherine says
My daughter does a broccoli salad with bacon and noodles
Katherine says
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/280416491323662336
Jacie Wright says
I love broccoli beef stir fry. Here is the recipe I like best
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2012/02/the-best-broccoli-beef.html
Teresa R. says
My favorite recipe for broccoli is a broccoli and beef stir fry I found on Mel’s kitchen cafe blog. Thanks for this great giveaway.
Mary DeBorde says
My daughter LOVES broccoli, so I’m giving her your recipe! Thank you so much
for sharing, plus this sweet giveaway <3
My favorite broccoli dish is simple but tasty:
Warm up about 1/2 cup of sweet & sour sauce in a med sized saucepan.
Add to this about 2 cups diced broccoli or just the *flowerettes*.
Throw in a fistful of finely chopped almonds or cashews.
Warm and stir the above.
THEN, thinly spread whipped cream cheese over the contents of a box of rice crackers.
Pour the warmed broccoli mixture into 4 guest/serving bowls and arrange several of the rice crackers around the outside of each serving bowl.
Optional: Serve with sticky rice instead of/or in addition to rice crackers
Feeds 4
Happy Holidays <3
Mary
zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com
Tara Ziegmont says
That sounds delicious! We’re going to have to try it. 🙂
joni says
I love broccoli battered and deep fried.
joni says
https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/280475191316975617
dolniaks at consolidated dot net
Patty says
rice&broccoli,fresh ingredients from Sam’s of course.
Crystal F says
I’d never even heard of broccoli salad until this past Friday night. My hubby tried it for the first time and we have been looking for recipes for it every since so thanks for the great recipe.
The only time I normally eat broccoli is raw with ranch dressing. I’m not a fan of cooked broccoli. thank you!
BILL H says
broccoli cheese soup
Marti B says
I like to make loaded broccoli and cheese soup with bacon and all the trimmings.
Breanne says
I like steamed broccoli with cheese sauce
Patrick Dyal says
I like chicken broccoli alfredo. It’s really good and easy to make.
Tammy S says
My favorite recipe is Twice Baked Potatoes stuffed with broccoli and cheese. They are amazing.
Patrick Dyal says
https://twitter.com/ps_yoga_pants/status/280548295699476480
Tammy S says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/CouponTammy/status/280548316914282496
Danica says
im a simple person so steamed with lemon pepper is what i love
Michelle says
My favorite is when my husband makes his stir-fry……….i love it
Rebecca Graham says
I like broccoli and rice casserole.
Amy Green says
Mine is a rice bowl I make, with layers: cooked, frozen broccoli on the bottom, melted cheese slice, white or premium, rice, shredded turkey or chicken lunch meat, topped off with another melted cheese slice!
joseph gersch jr says
i love broccolli, turkey, pasta and chicken with cream of mushrooom soup baked as a casserole
joseph gersch jr says
tweet https://twitter.com/jtwark/status/280608275135868930
Melanie K. says
I actually love broccoli and velveeta. It’s delicious just like that 🙂
Ellie W says
Broccoli cheeses soup.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-cheese-soup/
Thanks for the giveaway!
eswright18 at gmail dot com
Ellie W says
tweet
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/280694001705824256
Mary Cloud says
I love Broccoli Rice and Cheese casserole
annabella @ centurytel dot net
Deb C says
My favorite is Broccoli Cole Slaw
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/broccoli-cole-slaw-recipe/index.html
Deb C says
I tweeted:
twitter.com/Kismetchris/status/280699422449491968
Pauline M says
I make alot of the Shrimp & Broccoli from the Campbell’s website: http://www.campbellskitchen.com/recipes/recipedetails?recipeid=24438&fm=internal_search
when I need something quick and something that my kids enjoy!
Debra Pauley says
Broccoli with Garlic Butter and Cashews
Rachael E says
https://twitter.com/bogen7/status/280729760999559168
Rachael E says
I love a good stir fry with extra broccoli. My favorite is when you use tofu instead of meat with a little bit of spicy stir fry sauce. It’s amazing!
stephanie l. says
Yum broccoli salad sounds delicious!
mell says
I like broccoli cheese casserole with bread crumbs and bacon bits on top.
mell says
https://twitter.com/mm1411/status/280751836611362816
tweeted.
Leslie L. Stanziani says
I like to make broccoli,bacon,and cheese soup.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
Leslie L. Stanziani says
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/lstanziani/status/280773077133062144 Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
Maryann says
I love to make a broccoli, chicken and rice dish
Monique Rizzo says
Brocollli Cheddar soup.
Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
Bryan E. says
Thanks for the giveaway…Broccoli Gratin With Red Pepper and Parmesan http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/health/nutrition/07recipehealth.html?_r=0
Sheila K. says
I like broccoli, black olive, and mushroom pizza!
Sheila K. says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/skkorman/status/280823663161393152
Shannon says
I like it in a stir fry
Danielle B says
I love chicken divan with broccoli
Danielle B says
https://twitter.com/DNellie312/status/280847704383438848
Mini says
Broccoli stir fry with jasmine rice! The absolute best.
golden storm says
i like to make brocolli cheese and potato soup
golden storm says
tweeted https://twitter.com/goldengirl7763/status/280868581489668096
[email protected]
Donna L says
I like Beef and Broccoli stir fry.
Susan Smith says
I love beef and broccoli stir fry
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/280890662004604929
Louis says
broccoli and cheese soup with toast
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
Debbie Welchert says
My favorite recipe is Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Debbie Welchert says
I tweeted giveaway. https://twitter.com/flipper211/status/280967881313878016