BBQ Bacon Broccoli Avocado Salad

BBQ Bacon Broccoli Avocado Salad

This delicious side starts with fresh broccoli. Then, it’s mixed with crispy, crumbled bacon, onions, carrots, avocado, tomatoes, and cheese. Finally, I add mayo and BBQ sauce for a zesty, creamy sauce. It all comes together to create a delicious side that’s loaded with a variety of flavors and textures. It’s a simple dish with complex flavors that pairs perfectly with almost any meal.

Why You’ll Love This BBQ Bacon Broccoli Avocado Salad

• It’s the best broccoli salad recipe you’ll ever make. 
• It’s super flavorful and full of delicious favorites. 
• It is a great side dish for backyard barbecues, family gatherings, and potlucks or a side for beef, chicken, pork, or fish. 
• It’s easy to make and the family will love it. 

Recipe Tips

• This recipe only uses the florets of the broccoli. Cut up the stems and freeze them so you can use them in other recipes. 
• Let your bacon thoroughly drain on paper towels so you don’t have a greasy salad. 
• Chill this salad overnight for the best flavor and texture. 
• Wait until you’re ready to mix the broccoli salad ingredients before cutting up the avocado. This prevents it from turning brown. 

Variations

• You can use your favorite cheese in this recipe so long as it has a strong enough flavor to cut through the dressing. 
• Yellow, white, and sweet onions work well in this recipe. 
• Try adding diced ham in place of bacon for a different flavor. 

What to Serve with BBQ Bacon Broccoli Avocado Salad

This recipe is so delicious, and it’s so versatile. You can pair it with just about any of your favorite dishes. Try it with:

• BBQ beef, chicken, or pork
• Roasted chicken
• Beef and pork roast
• Broil fish
• Fried fish
• Burgers and dogs
• Your favorite backyard bash dishes

Recipe FAQ

Can you make broccoli salad ahead of time?

You sure can! In fact, it’s best when chilled overnight, so feel free to make it the night before.

Will avocado turn brown in salad?

Not usually. If the avocado is thoroughly coated in the dressing, it will block the air which is what makes it brown.

How long does broccoli salad last?

It will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze broccoli salad?

No. Mayonnaise-based sauces and recipes break when they defrost, leading to a watery, gross texture.

How to Store BBQ Bacon Broccoli Avocado Salad

Store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

BBQ Bacon Broccoli Avocado Salad Ingredients

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious salad. You probably have most of them in your kitchen right now, and the ones you don’t are all easily found at your local grocery store.

For the Sauce

• Barbecue sauce
• Mayonnaise

For the Salad

• Fresh broccoli florets, cut up small
• Bacon, crispy, crumbled, and divided
• Red onions, diced small
• Sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• Carrots, grated
• Avocado, diced
• Grape tomatoes, chopped

How to Make BBQ Bacon Broccoli Avocado Salad

Making this salad is as easy as gathering up the ingredients. It only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps. That’s it! 

Step 1: Make the Sauce

Combine the BBQ sauce and mayo. Then, cover it with plastic wrap and chill it while you make the salad. 

Step 2: Make the Bacon

Cook the bacon until crispy in a large frying pan. Remove the bacon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels. Then, crumble 5 pieces for mixing into the salad, reserving 2 to 3 pieces to crumble and top the salad. 

Step 3: Cut the Broccoli

Cut the heavy stems from the broccoli and cut the florets into bite-size pieces. Add them to a large bowl. 

Step 4: Make the Salad

Add the remaining salad ingredients and dressing to the bowl, then mix to coat. Chill, salt and pepper to taste, and serve. 

Try This Delicious BBQ Bacon Broccoli Avocado Salad Today

This easy BBQ bacon broccoli avocado salad is absolutely delicious and so incredibly easy. It’s the perfect dish for any occasion. From sides for a weeknight dinner to serving up a big bowl at your next backyard barbecue or potluck, you can’t go wrong with this recipe. Give it a try, and I know you’ll be looking for reasons to make this creamy, crispy, zesty side dish. 

More Delicious Side Dish Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Chicken Curry Pasta Salad – This delicious chicken salad is so flavorful and absolutely delicious. The crunchiness of the lettuce and cucumbers, water chestnuts and pea pods, mixed with the flavor of the creamy curry sauce makes this salad irresistible and will fast become a favorite.

Macaroni Salad – This delicious macaroni salad is a family favorite and the array of flavors from the red onions, mixed with the black olives and dill relish, makes this one of the best side dishes.

Red Potato Salad – This potato salad recipe is loaded with soft, creamy, red-skinned potatoes cut into small bite-size pieces with dill pickles, hard-boiled eggs, and red onions all mixed together for a delicious classic potato salad recipe the whole family will enjoy.

And, here is a Creamy Chicken Salad from Deliciously Seasoned that you will enjoy as well.