My Broccoli Grape Salad with bacon combines crisp broccoli, crunchy bacon, and sweet red grapes all in a creamy dressing. Broccoli and grape salad is a classic, nostalgic dish that never fails to bring back memories.
Broccoli Grape Salad
If you grew up going to potlucks or family picnics, this broccoli grape salad might look familiar. Many versions use raisins, but I prefer sweet red grapes for their texture and color — and because my husband’s family strongly dislikes raisins. This version comes from an old church cookbook, so it’s a dependable, time-tested recipe that still feels comforting.
The combination of crisp broccoli florets, juicy grapes, crunchy nuts, and salty bacon tossed in a tangy-sweet creamy dressing makes this salad easy to reach for as a side or a light lunch. It’s especially nice in spring and summer when fresh produce shines.
This salad scales well for large gatherings and complements barbecue menus, fresh sides, or simple weeknight meals.
Why You’ll Love This Broccoli and Grape Salad
- Delicious mix of textures and flavors — crunchy, sweet, salty, and creamy
- Substantial enough to serve as a light lunch
- Easy to multiply for big crowds
- Kid-friendly and generally well-liked
- Made with familiar, simple ingredients
Key Ingredients to Make Broccoli Salad with Grapes
- BROCCOLI – Use fresh broccoli florets cut into small pieces. Avoid frozen broccoli, which can become soggy as it thaws.
- RED GRAPES – Red grapes are sweet and add attractive color; halve them for easy eating.
- BACON – Cook until crispy, crumble, and cool before adding to the salad. Baking bacon in the oven makes cleanup easier and yields even crispness.
- RED ONION – Thinly sliced red onion adds mild bite and color; adjust amount to taste.
- NUTS – Sliced almonds or chopped pecans both work well. Toast them briefly for extra flavor and crunch.
- DRESSING – A simple dressing of real mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper balances creaminess, sweetness, and tang.
Instructions to Make Broccoli Grape Bacon Salad
PREP THE INGREDIENTS: Chop fresh broccoli into small florets, halve the grapes, thinly slice the red onion, toast and chop nuts if desired, and cook and crumble the bacon.
COMBINE: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, grapes, bacon, onion, and nuts.
MAKE THE DRESSING: In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.
ASSEMBLE: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve. Stir briefly before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Tips for Making Broccoli Bacon Grape Salad
- Blanch the broccoli if you prefer a brighter color and slightly softer bite. Quickly boiling the florets then shocking them in ice water preserves crunch while improving texture.
- Make sure the bacon is very crispy. Crispy bacon crumbles more cleanly and contributes a satisfying crunch. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Toast the nuts. Toasting amplifies their flavor and adds extra crunch, which enhances the contrast with the tender grapes and broccoli.
FAQ
If the salad becomes watery, the broccoli or grapes likely retained too much water after rinsing. Drain and pat them dry thoroughly before assembling the salad to prevent excess moisture.
Yes. The salad often tastes even better after chilling for a few hours. Combine the ingredients and refrigerate up to 24 hours. You can reserve a small amount of dressing to add just before serving if you want extra freshness.
Yes. Turkey bacon is a leaner option and works well—cook it until crisp, let it cool, and crumble it into the salad.
To make it vegetarian, omit the bacon. For a vegan version, omit the bacon and use a plant-based mayonnaise alternative for the dressing.
More Salad Recipes To Try
- Pear Salad with Apricots
- Simple Caesar Salad
- Dorito Taco Salad
- Strawberry Cobb Salad
- Asian Chicken Salad
Thanks for reading! Tell me what you think of this broccoli grape bacon salad — I love hearing how folks customize it.
Broccoli Grape Salad with Bacon
Ingredients
- 10 cups fresh broccoli cut into small pieces
- 2 cups halved red grapes
- 10 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 3/4-1 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 3/4 cup sliced almonds or chopped pecans can toast if you like
- DRESSING:
- 3/4 cup real mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
In a large bowl combine the broccoli, grapes, bacon, onion and almonds. Set aside.
-
In a small bowl combine the dressing ingredients, pour over the broccoli mixture, and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir just before serving.
