Loaded Broccoli Salad

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This is the broccoli salad you will get special requests for. The combination of bacon, sour cream, mayonnaise, scallions and Cheddar is hard to resist.

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
6
Nutrition Profile:
  • This make-ahead gluten-free salad is a tasty option for a light lunch, dinner or potluck.
  • Broccoli is rich in cancer-fighting compounds, and eating it raw offers maximum antioxidants.
  • Using convenience items like pre-cut broccoli florets or pre-shredded Cheddar cheese saves time.

Our Loaded Broccoli Salad is a delicious way to get more raw broccoli into your meal rotation with little complaint. Why? We added bacon, of course. You'll get the antioxidant power of vitamin C from the broccoli, paired with bone-strengthening calcium from the Cheddar and the salty goodness from the bacon—all mixed with a tangy, creamy sauce. This salad is ideal for a light lunch, dinner or a make-ahead for a potluck, and it's gluten-free. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how you can make this vegetarian and how to get the perfect broccoli floret size.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

  • If you prefer not to fry bacon in a skillet, you can bake it in the oven, cook it in the microwave, or use an air fryer.
  • Instead of sour cream, try using plain Greek yogurt. It has a similar tangy flavor and thick consistency.
  • You can purchase broccoli florets for convenience. You can also buy pre-shredded Cheddar cheese, but freshly shredded cheese often has more flavor.
  • When mixing a salad, lift the dressing from the bottom of the bowl and distribute it throughout all the ingredients to ensure that the flavors are evenly combined.

Nutrition Notes

  • Broccoli is a fiber-rich cruciferous vegetable that is rich in cancer-preventive compounds called glucosinolates. Since vitamin C can be degraded or leech out into cooking water when broccoli is cooked, you'll be sure to get maximum antioxidant benefits from choosing the raw version in this salad.
  • Bacon is not an everyday food and is considered a source of fat rather than protein. Nevertheless, everyone loves bacon, and it gives a delicious smoky flavor to everything it touches. A great way to enjoy bacon in moderation but still get the full bacon experience is to use it as a flavoring, as we do in this salad.
  • Cheddar cheese is an excellent choice for this salad. It has a sharp and tasty flavor, but it also has great nutrition as well. Cheddar cheese is a good source of calcium because it is a hard cheese with a low water content. This also means that it is lower in lactose, which makes it a great choice for those with difficulties digesting this sugar.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 3 slices bacon

  • ¼ cup sour cream

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise

  • 4 teaspoons rice vinegar or cider vinegar

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 4 cups chopped broccoli

  • ½ cup sliced scallions

  • ½ cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Cook 3 slices of bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat. Chop the bacon when cool enough to handle.

    overhead view of chopped bacon on a cutting board with a knife resting on it

    Diana Chistruga

  2. Whisk ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 4 teaspoons vinegar, ¼ teaspoon pepper and the reserved bacon fat together in a large bowl. Add 4 cups broccoli, ½ cup scallions, ½ cup cheese and the chopped bacon. Stir to coat with the dressing.

    Loaded Broccoli Salad
    Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly Raibikis

Equipment

Large skillet

To make ahead

Assemble the salad and dressing a day ahead and store in separate airtight containers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there a good substitute for the bacon?

    Yes. You can omit the bacon and add walnuts, pecans or sunflower seeds for crunch. Or add smoked almonds for a savory smoked flavor.

  • What's the best way to cut broccoli for a salad?

    Following our step-by-step guide, cut off the stalk of the broccoli and trim any leaves. Cut the crown into individual florets, then cut the florets in half. If the florets are large, cut them into quarters for bite-sized pieces.

  • What else would go well in Loaded Broccoli Salad?

    You can get creative with this salad by swapping out ingredients. Consider adding bite-sized pieces of chicken or pasta, diced apple or pear, almonds, dried cranberries or raisins, shredded carrots or parsnips, chopped onion, a sprinkle of sunflower or pumpkin seeds or toasted nuts.

  • How should I store leftovers?

    Refrigerate the salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. We think it's best served chilled, but that's a preference. You can let it come to room temperature by taking it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving.

  • What should I serve with Loaded Broccoli Salad?

    This is a crowd-pleasing salad to serve with grilled foods, but it's also perfect for pairing with our Slow-Cooker Honey-Orange Chicken Drumsticks, Pulled Pork with Carmelized Onions, Easy Meatloaf, Panko- & Parmesan-Crusted Baked Scallops or Air-Fryer Fish Cakes.

EatingWell.com, May 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

191 Calories
17g Fat
4g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size generous 3/4 cup
Calories 191
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 1g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 6g 12%
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 27mg 9%
Vitamin A 1668IU 33%
Vitamin C 46mg 51%
Vitamin D 5IU 1%
Vitamin E 1mg 4%
Folate 42mcg 11%
Vitamin K 33mcg 28%
Sodium 229mg 10%
Calcium 106mg 8%
Iron 1mg 6%
Magnesium 19mg 5%
Potassium 225mg 5%
Zinc 1mg 9%
Omega 3 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Jan Valdez,

Jan Valdez has years of experience working in test kitchens, primarily in research and development and product development. Her experience in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen in New York City launched a career in professional test kitchens.

Carrie Myers, M.S.,
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.