This broccoli salad with bacon is a crowd pleasing classic. Loaded with cranberries, sunflower kernels, red onion then tossed in a homemade dressing, it’s a potluck favorite!

Broccoli bacon salad with cranberries and sunflower kernels in a white bowl.

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Classic Broccoli Bacon Salad

One of my favorite parts about summer is all the classic recipes to bring to a BBQ This broccoli salad with bacon is always the first thing to disappear at a potluck.

It’s super easy to make with fresh crunchy broccoli, sweet dried cranberries, salty sunflower kernels, diced red onion and crispy bacon pieces, all tossed in a homemade creamy dressing. If you love easy potluck salads, you’ll also want to try my easy macaroni salad, ramen noodle salad and loaded potato salad.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for broccoli bacon salad including broccoli florets, bacon, cranberries, red onion, sunflower kernels, mayo and honey.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Broccoli: They key is cut the fresh broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces so the broccoli salad with bacon is super easy to eat.
  • Bacon: I love to use my oven baked bacon. It turns out crispy and crumbles easily. If you would like your broccoli salad healthier, use turkey bacon or omit.
  • Sunflower seeds: I like to use roasted and salted kernels for the additional flavor but you can use slivered almonds, chopped pecans or walnuts.
  • Dried cranberries: The sweet and tangy dried cranberries adds the perfect balance but you can use raisins if you would like.
  • Red onion: I finely chop the onion so you get some in each bite.

Broccoli Salad Dressing

The dressing is what makes this broccoli salad with bacon so flavorful. I made it a little different than the classic dressing with sugar and vinegar and it tastes so much better!

  • Mayo or Greek yogurt: I like to use mayonnaise with olive oil, I don’t care for Miracle Whip or low fat but if you like it, go ahead and use it. Swap mayo for Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing or use half mayo and half Greek yogurt.
  • Lemon juice: You could use white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar if preferred.
  • Honey: Granulated sugar can be used if that is what you have on hand.

How to Make Broccoli Salad with Bacon

In a large bowl, add the broccoli, bacon, sunflower kernels, dried cranberries, and red onion. I like to add the bacon last so it stays separate until the dressing goes on.

If you’re in a hurry, pre-chopped broccoli and pre-cooked bacon work great here.

Broccoli bacon salad ingredients arranged in a glass bowl before tossing.


Pour the dressing over and toss well so every floret gets coated. Don’t rush this part, it makes a difference!

Chill broccoli bacon salad for at least 15 minutes before serving, though 30 minutes is even better for letting the flavors come together.

Creamy honey lemon dressing being poured over broccoli bacon salad ingredients.

Optional Add-Ins

This salad is easy to customize based on what you have on hand. Here are a few of my favorite ways to mix it up:

  • Cheddar cheese: Thickly shredded or cubed sharp cheddar is a delicious addition. Avoid finely shredded as it gets mushy in the dressing.
  • Nuts: Slivered almonds or chopped pecans are a great swap for sunflower kernels if you want a heartier crunch.
  • Raisins: Swap the dried cranberries for raisins if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Dijon mustard: Add a teaspoon to the dressing for a little extra depth and tang.
Broccoli salad with bacon, cranberries and sunflower kernels in a white serving bowl.

Need more potluck favorites? Try this creamy coleslaw, cold spaghetti salad or dill pickle pasta salad.

More Potluck Salad Recipes

Broccoli bacon salad with cranberries and sunflower kernels in a white bowl.

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

5 from 27 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12
This broccoli salad with bacon is a crowd pleaser loaded with cranberries, sunflower kernels and red onion then tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing.
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Video

Ingredients 

Dressing

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
  • 2  Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • Kosher salt , to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper , to taste

Broccoli Salad

  • 5-6 cups broccoli florets , cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 pieces bacon , cooked crisp, cooled and crumbled
  • ¼ cup salted sunflower kernels
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup red onion , finely chopped

Instructions

Dressing

  • In a small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, and 2 Tablespoons honey. Season with salt and pepper.

Broccoli Salad

  • In a large bowl, add 5-6 cups broccoli, 6 pieces bacon, 1/4 cup sunflower kernels, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, and 1/4 cup red onion.
  • Pour dressing evenly over the broccoli and toss until well coated.
  • Chill the salad at least 15 minutes to let the flavors marinate together. Toss well before serving.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Cheese. Shredded cheddar cheese is a delicious addition. You want the cheese to be thickly shredded, so that it remains sturdy in the salad.
Bacon in the oven. I love to cook bacon in the oven. 
Substitutions: Feel free to swap dried cranberries with raisins or 1/4 cup sliced grapes. You can also use slivered almonds or walnuts in place of sunflower kernels. 
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days. If making ahead, wait to add the bacon pieces until right before serving so they don’t get soggy.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 13mg, Sodium: 177mg, Potassium: 197mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 298IU, Vitamin C: 42mg, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.