Perfect as a quick and easy side dish recipe, this mouthwatering loaded broccoli salad is bursting with flavor. It's ready in under 10 minutes with ingredients you probably already have. Tender broccoli florets combined with ranch dressing, shredded cheese, bacon, green onion, pickled jalapenos and French fried onions create a delicious side salad that will be far from dull.
It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for summer barbecues, holiday dinners, potlucks, family gatherings, or even weekday lunches. The combination of creamy, crunchy, cheesy, and savory flavors makes this one of those recipes everyone goes back for seconds.
If you love easy summer sides like this, be sure to try our watermelon feta salad, deviled egg pasta salad, and old-fashioned Boston baked beans.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 10 minutes
- No cooking required
- Loaded with bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch flavor
- Perfect for potlucks and cookouts
- Great make-ahead side dish
- Packed with crunchy textures
- Easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins
Key ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients and their amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Broccoli: Adds the main veggie component to the salad. It adds freshness, crunch and makes the salad hearty.
- Ranch Dressing: Used to dress the salad. It adds a creamy and tangy flavor that coats all of the broccoli and toppings.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds a creamy and rich cheese flavor that pairs well with the freshness of the broccoli and savory bacon.
- Bacon: Adds a crunchy, smoky and salty flavor that takes this salad over the top.
- Green Onions: Provides a mild onion flavor as well as a pop of color.
- French Fried Onions: Adds a crunchy topping with extra texture and flavor.
- Pickled Jalapenos: Adds a vinegary bite as well as some heat that helps cut through all of the rich bacon and creamy ranch dressing.
Variations
- Extra Crunchy: Add your favorite chopped nuts or sunflower seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
- Add Cranberries: Dried cranberries add a sweet contrast to the salad.
- Sweet and Savory: Replace regular bacon with candied smoked bacon.
- Bolder Onion Flavor: Use diced red onions in place of green onions.
- Cauliflower Broccoli Salad: Add chopped cauliflower for extra veggie goodness.
- Make It Spicy: Use pepper jack cheese for a little kick.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle the salad with Parmesan for another layer of flavor.
- Make It Lighter: Use light ranch dressing or Greek yogurt-based ranch, reduced-fat cheese, and turkey bacon.
- BBQ Broccoli Salad: Replace the ranch with BBQ sauce and mayo dressing.
How to Make Loaded Broccoli Salad
Step 1: Mix the broccoli, onions, and dressing in a large bowl until evenly coated.
Step 2: Fold in the cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and French fried onions. Chill for at least 30 minutes, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets for easier serving.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
- Add the French fried onions just before serving if you prefer them extra-crispy.
- Cook your own bacon for maximum flavor.
- Let the salad chill before serving so the flavors have time to blend together.
Loaded Broccoli Salad FAQs
Loaded broccoli salad is a creamy side dish made with fresh broccoli, ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, and crispy French fried onions. It’s packed with crunchy textures and savory flavors, making it a favorite for potlucks and family meals.
Yes! This salad is perfect for making ahead. Prepare it several hours in advance or the night before and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. For the best crunch, add the French fried onions just before serving.
Wait to stir them into the salad until just before serving. If you’re enjoying leftovers, add a fresh handful of French fried onions to restore their crunch.
Definitely! Sunflower seeds, chopped cauliflower, shredded carrots, diced red onion, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, sliced almonds, or Parmesan cheese all make great additions.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad stays flavorful, although the French fried onions will soften over time.
Freezing isn’t recommended. The creamy dressing and fresh vegetables don’t maintain their texture well after thawing.
You can use light ranch dressing, reduced-fat cheddar cheese, turkey bacon, or Greek yogurt-based ranch to lighten the recipe while keeping it flavorful.
Classic Summer Pairings for Broccoli Salad
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Loadded Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 8 cups broccoli florets, trimmed
- 2½ cups ranch dressing
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups French fried onions
- 1 cup diced bacon or bacon bits
- ½ cup green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup pickled jalapenos
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix broccoli, green onions, and ranch together.
- Fold in the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Serve cold.
Notes
- Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets for easier serving.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
- Add the French fried onions just before serving if you prefer them extra-crispy.
- Cook your own bacon for maximum flavor.
- Let the salad chill before serving so the flavors have time to blend together.
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