Broccoli Bacon Salad

I love hosting my friends for special occasions, whether for birthdays or simple rooftop hangs. When designing the menu, I often need to remember the importance of simple salads. Sure, grilled pork belly or a big plate of fried chicken take center stage, but sides, especially light, flavorful salads, are what’s gone the fastest.

This crunchy, creamy broccoli bacon salad is one of my favorite make-ahead salads. Here, raw broccoli florets get dressed in a tangy, creamy mayonnaise-based sauce and tossed with toppings like sliced almonds, scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and more. It’s perfect for those occasions when you have to cook a feast and is so versatile that it will go with just anything you serve. 

• Bacon: Cook thick-cut bacon in a skillet until crisp for added texture. Plus, the mayonnaise-based dressing has a little bacon fat for that subtle smoky flavor. 
• Red onion and scallion: Adds extra punch to each bite of the salad.
• White sesame seeds and sliced almonds: You can omit the toasted white sesame seeds, but I highly recommend adding sliced almonds for a beautiful, nutty crunch.
• Rice vinegar: Adds a much-needed acidity that balances the rest of the ingredients. 

Yes! You can make broccoli bacon salad ahead of time. In fact, it’s better to make it a few hours before serving so that all of the ingredients can absorb the sweet, creamy dressing, while keeping the chopped broccoli from getting soggy. I recommend holding the final toppings like toasted sesame seeds and crispy bacon pieces until serving so that they stay crisp.

Broccoli bacon salad goes with everything, especially meaty entrées, like a big hunk of smoked brisket, prime rib, grilled chicken, or even as a side to a hot dog feast.