The BEST Broccoli Salad with Grapes

I’ve never shared a recipe for broccoli grape salad because I thought it may be a regional thing confined only to potlucks and picnics in the Midwest where I grew up.  But a month or so ago I was at an event in northern California, and low and behold broccoli salad was one of the sides. I was in cruciferous heaven. My Mom’s easy recipe for broccoli salad includes broccoli, bacon, celery, green onions, red grapes, raisins, and sunflower seeds all tossed in a tart-and-tangy dressing made with mayo, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. If you’ve never tried this odd combination of ingredients, it’s one of those don’t knock it until you try it because it actually all works and it’s delicious kind of recipes. So many textures and flavors in every bite including crunchy broccoli, crisp celery, salty bacon and sunflower seeds, juicy grapes, and sweet raisins.

Grape Broccoli Bacon Salad Ingredients

To make the broccoli and grape salad, you’ll need: 

Raw broccoli florets Seedless red grapes Celery  Crumbled bacon Sunflower seeds Raisins Green onions

And to make the tangy broccoli salad dressing, you’ll need:

Mayonnaise Granulated sugar Apple cider vinegar Celery seed Black pepper

How to Make Broccoli Salad with Grapes

Making this bacon and grape broccoli salad is so easy! Here’s an overview of the recipe steps:

 

Tips for Making the Best Broccoli Salad 

Ingredient Swaps

There are tons of recipes out there for broccoli bacon grape salad and some use almonds rather than sunflower seeds, some don’t have raisins, others use red rather than green onions, some use red wine vinegar, and so forth.  If you don’t like a particular ingredient, omit it or swap it out because it’s a very flexible recipe. Just don’t omit the broccoli!

Bacon

Note that you can save time by using precooked bacon to make this broccoli grape salad. Simply zap it in the microwave for about 1 minute to heat it up, then chop it into pieces for the salad. 

Make-Ahead

I like to make this broccoli salad with grapes and bacon about 4 hours before I plan to serve it, then I chill it to allow the flavors to marry and the dressing to soften the broccoli and penetrate all the nooks and crannies of the florets.

What to Serve with Broccoli Salad

Bacon, grape, and broccoli salad pairs well with any grilled protein or potluck entree! Try this broccoli salad with one or more of the following:

Grilled Honey BBQ Chicken Grilled Pork Chops Sloppy Joes Black Bean Burgers Honey Baked Ham Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

More Potluck Salad Recipes:

50+ AWESOME SALAD RECIPES <— Click for all the recipes! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Waldorf Salad — Classic and timeless, apple Waldorf salad is always a crowd favorite especially when apples are in season! Bacon Potato Salad — This no mayo Potato Salad with Bacon is ready in just 30 minutes! It’s a vinegar potato salad the whole family will love. Tropical Fruit Salad — I can’t think of anything more summery and tropical-tasting than fresh fruit that’s tossed in pineapple juice, coconut and almond extracts, and pina colada mix!  BLT Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 15 minutes, feeds a crowd, and PERFECT for potlucks and parties. Creamy ranch dressing perfectly coats the pasta and BACON. Guaranteed family FAVORITE! Roasted Sweet Potato Salad — This roasted sweet potato salad is tossed in a honey Dijon dressing. The sweet and savory flavors of this potato salad are to die for!  Creamy Mexican Corn Salad with Zucchini — A healthy EASY salad that’s ready in 15 minutes and so flavorful!! Corn, zucchini, cilantro, queso fresco and more are tossed in a DELISH creamy lime sauce!! Pink and Purple Potato Salad — It’s easy, ready in about 30 minutes, can serve it right away or chilled, and it’s a great side for parties, picnics, and potlucks. Italian Chicken Pasta Salad — Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and showcases some of my favorite summer ingredients. It’s perfect for summer potlucks and BBQs, or as a no-fuss family dinner! Chicken Salad — This classic chicken salad recipe is great for sandwiches, on crackers, over a bed of lettuce, or just dig in with a fork!

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