Ranch Broccoli Salad
This easy Ranch Broccoli Salad recipe will become your go-to summer side dish. It is a creamy and refreshing low carb salad with the bold flavors of cheddar and bacon.
Summer means cold sides and grilled meats, and this low-carb keto bacon ranch broccoli salad is always in rotation in our home.
Crisp broccoli, creamy sauce, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar give the ultimate flavor combination. This easy side dish recipe is also keto, low carb, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
If you are looking for more amazing salads, try my Cucumber Avocado Salad and Southwest Cauliflower Salad.
Ingredients
- Broccoli florets – Fresh work best, you can include the stems too if you chop them small.
- Mayo – Any mayo without added sugar.
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt – We use both interchangeably.
- Dill – Dried dill weed is fine but if you have fresh dill weed go ahead and use that!
- Onion powder – Or dried minced onion.
- Garlic powder – Or dried minced garlic.
- Parsley – Again, dried is fine but fresh can work too.
- Salt – I like pink Himalaya salt or coarse kosher salt.
- Crumbled bacon – The real bacon crumbles sold in a package work just as well as fresh bacon in this.
- Shredded cheddar – Or another cheese of your choice.
How to Make Ranch Broccoli Salad
Step One: Start by mixing your mayo, sour cream, and seasonings in a large bowl. If you stop right there you end up with a delicious ranch dressing!
Step Two: Chop the broccoli into small bite-sized pieces. We generally just use the florets in this recipe.
Step Three: Fold in your broccoli.
Step Four: Then, right before you are ready to serve, fold in your crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese.
Top Tip💡
If you don’t wait to add in the bacon and cheese right before serving you will find the bacon becomes mushy and the cheese kind of melts into the sauce. If you serve the next day, add in extra cheese and even fresh crumbled bacon.
Simplified Version
Sometimes to change it up a bit instead of the seasonings listed I use Goya Adobo seasoning to taste. If you try that it cuts the ingredient count down to only 6. I try to keep the ingredients under 10 in most of my recipes. The Goya seasoning is salty so start with a little and add slowly. I’ve over-salted dishes a few times with that one blend.
Variations
- Sunflower Seeds – a classic option and great for crunch! Pumpkin seeds or chopped walnuts are great as well.
- Roasted Salted Sliced Almonds – these also add a nice contrast to the other textures especially if you want to make this without bacon.
- Chopped Red Onion – if you love onion feel free to add some fresh chopped raw onion.
- Mustard – Feel free to add some dijon mustard, yellow mustard, or spicy mustard to the dressing mixture.
- Dairy-Free – Just leave out the sour cream or yogurt and omit the cheese. Add as much dairy-free mayonnaise as necessary to make it creamy enough.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – I prefer mayonnaise-based salads without vinegar but if you enjoy it go ahead and add a splash.
- Cheese – I know some people like a little spice and might enjoy a pepper jack or jalapeno cheese, or maybe you want more bite, then reach for sharp cheddar cheese. Add in whatever cheese you and your family enjoy the most.
- Sweet Broccoli Salad – if you are looking for a sweeter broccoli salad leave out the dill, onion, garlic, and cheddar along with some seeds or nuts and my sugar-free dried cranberries. Add a little sweetener to taste with the mayo mixture to make a sweet dressing.
- Vegetables – You can use this dressing as a dip with your favorite low-carb vegetables or make this salad with cauliflower instead of broccoli.
Common Questions
Do I Need Ranch Dressing?
Nope! The combination of dill, garlic, onion, and parsley is where the ranch flavor comes from. You don’t need bottled dressing or a ranch seasoning packet.
Do You Have to Cook the Broccoli
No, I always use raw broccoli, but if you prefer cooked then blanch your broccoli in the microwave, stovetop, or in your instant pot. Generally, you will see broccoli salad recipes that use fresh broccoli. The dressings can break down the florets softening it up a bit.
Can You Use Frozen Broccoli in Broccoli Salad
If you don’t mind a softer broccoli texture, you can allow your broccoli to thaw and use it for making broccoli salad. This will give you a similar texture to blanching your broccoli beforehand. It won’t have as much crunch, but will still taste great.
Anytime I make casseroles I find myself snacking on the cooked broccoli in the mayo/sour cream/spice blend. Delicious!
How to Store Broccoli Salad
If you have leftovers, store your broccoli salad with bacon in the fridge in an airtight container. This salad will last up to three days in the refrigerator. Just note, that it is best when served fresh. The bacon softens as it sits in the refrigerator. You can always add in more bacon to give it that fresh taste for day two or three.
Can I Double This Recipe
This easy gluten free recipe doubles beautifully. If we are going to a big barbecue, I’ll double or triple this to make the entire 2.5 lb bag in a large mixing bowl. This easy raw broccoli salad is always one of the first salads to disappear.
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Ranch Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups broccoli florets
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp dried dill optional
- 1 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp parsley
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
Instructions
- Mix mayo, sour cream, and the seasonings. Fold in broccoli.
- If serving right away fold in the bacon and cheddar. If preparing ahead add these right before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally Published Revised and Republished on September 10, 2025.
Great for a simple lunch. Can add lettuce and tomato for a wonderful full salad.
Love your recipes. I subscribe
I love broccoli salad, I like it more on the tangier side, can you add any vinegar to give it a little more zing?
I love this salad
I’d love to pin this, it sounds so good, but it says there’s nothing pinnacle on this page. Thanks anyway.
It is working on my end. You might need to just click the pin button twice. Sometimes it doesn’t work the first time.
Simplemente deliciosa, enriquece mi pollo al grill!
My family absolutely loves this recipe, I’ve been asked to make it the last 2 Christmases for my bring-along dish
Crunchy and really delicious!
Absolutely loved this salad!