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Best Classic Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Raisins in 20 Minutes

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A quick and easy broccoli salad with crispy bacon, sweet raisins, and a tangy creamy dressing. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or weeknight dinners, this crowd-pleaser comes together in under 20 minutes and is delicious served chilled or at room temperature.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli, chopped into small florets (about 2 medium heads)
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds, raw or roasted
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon reserved bacon fat (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place the bacon strips in a cold skillet. Turn the heat to medium and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping once, until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat in the pan and let it cool slightly. Crumble the bacon once it’s cool enough to handle—about 2 minutes.
  2. Prepare the broccoli: While the bacon cooks, wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli heads. Cut the florets into small, bite-sized pieces—about 1 to 1½ inches. You want the stems included, just peel the tough outer layer if they’re thick. Place the chopped broccoli in your large mixing bowl.
  3. Make the dressing: In your small bowl or mason jar, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake until smooth and fully combined. Taste it—it should be creamy with a noticeable tang and just a hint of sweetness. Adjust the sugar or vinegar to your preference. Set aside.
  4. Soften the onion (optional but recommended): Place the finely diced red onion in a small bowl and cover with cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes while you finish prepping. Drain well and pat dry before adding to the salad.
  5. Assemble the salad: To the bowl with the broccoli, add the crumbled bacon, raisins, sunflower seeds, and drained red onion. Pour the dressing over the top. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together gently but thoroughly.
  6. The warm fat trick: Drizzle the reserved bacon fat over the salad before you add the dressing. Just a tablespoon—it adds a subtle smokiness.
  7. Chill (or not): This salad is delicious immediately, but it gets even better after 30 minutes in the fridge as the flavors meld. If you’re serving it later, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Give it a good stir before serving, and if it seems dry, add a tiny splash of milk or extra mayo to refresh the dressing.

Notes

For best results, dry broccoli thoroughly after washing to prevent watery dressing. Add bacon just before serving if making ahead to maintain crunch. The salad can be refrigerated for up to 3 days but do not freeze. For a lighter version, substitute half the mayo with Greek yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon, raisins, potluck, BBQ side dish, quick salad, classic broccoli salad

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/best-classic-broccoli-salad-with-bacon-and-raisins-in-20-minutes/