Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Shallot-Thyme Dressing

This broccoli salad with bacon is not your typical cold, sugary potluck broccoli salad. The broccoli is lightly steamed until tender-crisp, then tossed with smoky bacon and a rich, savory dressing made with shallots, garlic, fresh thyme, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar.

This broccoli salad with bacon is not your typical cold, sugary potluck broccoli salad. The broccoli is lightly steamed until tender-crisp, then tossed with smoky bacon and a rich, savory dressing made with shallots, garlic, fresh thyme, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar.

The warm shallot and thyme mixture gives the creamy dressing much more flavor than a standard mayonnaise-based broccoli salad. It is hearty enough to enjoy on its own, but it is especially delicious served alongside smoked meats, barbecue, grilled chicken, or steak.

Add a little more bacon to make it feel more substantial, or serve it as an indulgent vegetable side dish.

Why You'll Love This Broccoli and Bacon Salad

This recipe has a delicious combination of textures and flavors. The broccoli stays tender while still retaining a slight bite, the bacon adds smoky richness, and the shallot-thyme dressing is creamy, tangy, and savory.

It is also a great make-ahead side dish for cookouts, family dinners, and holiday meals.

Broccoli Nutrition

Broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable and a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, fiber, and several antioxidants. Lightly steaming it helps soften the broccoli while preventing it from becoming overly mushy.

Ingredients

• ½ package of thyme, about ¼ of an ounce
• 3 heads broccoli
• ¾ lb. bacon
• 3 shallots
• 2 cloves garlic
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ⅛ cup Dijon mustard
• ½ tablespoon Tabasco
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne

Directions

Chop all of the broccoli into 1-1.5" pieces. Dice the shallots and garlic. Roughly chop the thyme. Dice the bacon into ¼ to ½ inch pieces.

In a large pot, steam the broccoli until it's tender but not mushy. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Drain the broccoli and place in a large bowl, then set aside.

In a large pan, sauté or bake the bacon until it's cooked through. You don't want it quite crispy, but golden.

Spoon the bacon out of the pan and set aside on a plate. Place the pan on a burner and set to medium high. Add the shallots, garlic, thyme, and red wine vinegar. Cook until the shallots and garlic are softened. Add the butter and let it melt. Simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors combine.

Combine the mayonnaise and mustard in a medium bowl. Add the shallot and thyme mixture to the bowl and stir together. Add the dressing to the large bowl of broccoli and stir in the bacon.

Serve as a side or the main dish.

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Broccoli with Bacon, Shallot and Thyme dressing

4.8 Stars (4 Reviews)

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Ingredients

• ½ package of thyme, about ¼ of an ounce
• 3 heads broccoli
• ¾ lb. bacon
• 3 shallots
• 2 cloves garlic
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ⅛ cup Dijon mustard
• ½ tablespoon Tabasco
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne

Instructions

1. Chop all of the broccoli into 1-1.5” pieces. Dice the shallots and garlic. Roughly chop the thyme. Dice the bacon into ¼ to ½ inch pieces.
2. In a large pot, steam the broccoli until it’s tender but not mushy. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Drain the broccoli and place in a large bowl, then set aside.
3. In a large pan, sauté or bake the bacon until it’s cooked through. You don’t want it quite crispy, but golden.
4. Spoon the bacon out of the pan and set aside on a plate. Place the pan on a burner and set to medium high. Add the shallots, garlic, thyme, and red wine vinegar. Cook until the shallots and garlic are softened. Add the butter and let it melt. Simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors combine.
5. Combine the mayonnaise and mustard in a medium bowl. Add the shallot and thyme mixture to the bowl and stir together. Add the dressing to the large bowl of broccoli and stir in the bacon.
6. Serve as a side or the main dish.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Cuisinart 622-36H Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 14-Inch Open Skillet with Helper Handle, Black
• 
  Tabasco Original Flavor Pepper Sauce, 2 oz (2 Pack)
• 
  Simply Organic Cayenne Pepper Certified Organic, 2.89-Ounce Container
• 
  BORNIER Original Organic Dijon Mustard, 7.4 Ounce
• 
  Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter - Unsalted 8.oz (2 pack)
• 
  Pompeian Gourmet Organic Red Wine Vinegar, Unfiltered and Unpasteurized, Perfect for Marinades, Salad Dressings and Sauces, Naturally Gluten Free, Non-Allergenic, Non-GMO, 16 FL. OZ., Pack of 6

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 368Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 775mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 12g

The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information.

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