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.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Joy Filled Eats
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
Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook and Instagram! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & a 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!
Originally Published Revised and Republished on September 10, 2025.
This stuff is so good! I decided to make this as a last minute side for your Five Minute Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders and some baked jalapeño poppers. Since I used all of my bacon for the jalapeño poppers, I substituted about 1 cup of smoked sausage for the bacon in this recipe and it was still perfect! Will definitely be making again soon!
Whipped this up quickly tonight to have with a rotisserie chicken – delicious! Thank you for a quick, yummy recipe.
This was delicious! Pretty sure I will making it for every BBQ!
I didn’t even mention that this dish was “keto” to my family. They all loved it and several asked for the recipe. Thanks ~
Holy moly, girlfriend! You’ve done it again! I have another new favorite! So quick, easy and delicious! The ingredients for this salad will be on hand as often as possible! Thank you!
Wow! This was so yummy! Thanks so much for a quick and tasty dish! A new favorite!
I add apple cider vinegar for a little more zing
Do u boil broccoli? Or use it as is?
I use it raw in this dish.
Broccoli salad is one of my favorite things, but there’s usually a ton of sugar in it. I love that this recipe is sugar free and STILL tastes absolutely fantastic! I don’t have to feel guilty enjoying it!
This looks like the perfect broccoli salad recipe! I can’t wait to make it for my next cookout!
Is it fresh or dried dill?
I use dried but fresh works too.
What brand of mayo do you use?
I normally use the Just Mayo brand.
Any suggestions as to how I could cut down further on the carbs. There’s a little too many compared to what I’m allowed daily. Thank you for any input or suggestions. Your recipe looks delicious by the way!!!
Most of the carbs come from the broccoli in this recipe. Cauliflower has a tiny bit less than broccoli so you could use half broccoli and half cauliflower. Mayo has less than sour cream so you could use more mayo and less sour cream as well.
Where is the ranch.
The combinations of seasonings gives it the ranch flavor. It is basically a thick homemade ranch dressing.
This is one of our favorites and so will make this version very soon. I love the ease of prewashed broccoli! We like sunflower seeds in ours but other than that, it will be made with this recipe. Thanks!
Do you use frozen broccoli or fresh, or could you use either you choose?
Fresh broccoli.