Name: Tangy Mayo-Free Cold Broccoli Salad Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 (12 ounce) bag small broccoli florets; 0.5 cup shredded Cheddar cheese; 0.25 cup chopped cooked bacon; 0.5 (8 ounce) bottle Vidalia onion salad dressing, or more to taste

Broccoli Salad

Cold Broccoli Salad without Mayo

Aug 28, 2025
by Adrain Koepp
- 5.0 / 5 ( 1 Ratings)
1 Likes

PREP TIME

5 mins
COOK TIME

0 mins
TOTAL TIME

2 hrs 5 mins
SERVING

4 People
VIEWS

3

This vibrant Cold Broccoli Salad is a delightful departure from the ordinary. Crisp broccoli florets mingle with sharp cheddar and smoky bacon, all enrobed in a tangy Vidalia onion dressing. A refreshing counterpoint to richer dishes, it's perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a light lunch.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

1 (12 ounce) bag small broccoli florets

0.5 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

0.25 cup chopped cooked bacon

0.5 (8 ounce) bottle Vidalia onion salad dressing, or more to taste

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

9 g
Cholesterol

27 mg
Fiber

2 g
Protein

10 g
Saturated Fat

6 g
Sodium

833 mg
Sugar

4 g
Fat

18 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

5 mins

In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, shredded Cheddar cheese, and chopped cooked bacon. (5 minutes)

02

Step

3 mins

Pour in the Vidalia onion salad dressing. Start with half the bottle and add more to taste, ensuring all ingredients are lightly coated. Gently stir to combine. (3 minutes)

03

Step

2 hrs

Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it chills, the better the flavors will develop. (2 hours)

04

Step

2 mins

Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss. Add more dressing if it seems dry after chilling. Serve cold. (2 minutes)

For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon and consider adding toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for added crunch and flavor.
Feel free to experiment with other cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or Colby, to customize the flavor profile.
If you prefer a homemade dressing, whisk together Vidalia onion vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper for a similar tangy-sweet flavor.
To prevent the broccoli from becoming soggy, make sure it is completely dry before adding it to the salad.

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Adrain Koepp

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