Description

This Fresh Broccoli Salad Meal Prep recipe is a crunchy, vibrant, and protein-rich salad perfect for easy weekday lunches. Featuring bite-sized broccoli florets, crisp bacon, sharp cheddar, and a creamy tangy dressing made from Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, this salad stays fresh and flavorful for up to five days. It’s simple to prepare in under 35 minutes, customizable to your taste, and ideal for meal prepping to enjoy fresh, healthy meals all week long.

Ingredients

Scale

Bacon

4 slices thick bacon (Oscar Mayer Extra Thick Cut recommended)

Salad

1/3 cup chopped red onion
1 lb broccoli, cut into small, bite-sized florets
2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Dressing

1/4 cup mayonnaise (Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise preferred)
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown. Remove from skillet and drain excess fat on paper towels. Let cool slightly, then chop into small bits for the salad.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the bite-sized broccoli florets, chopped red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped jalapeños, and the crispy bacon bits. Toss gently until evenly combined.
Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Dress the Salad: Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients. If the salad feels dry, add more dressing gradually until reaching desired consistency.
Portion and Store: Divide the dressed broccoli salad into individual airtight meal prep containers. Seal and refrigerate for up to five days. For best flavor, let salad come to room temperature about 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cut broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces (no larger than an inch) for easy eating and even dressing coverage.
Dry broccoli thoroughly after washing to prevent watery dressing.
Cook bacon until extra crispy and chop just before adding to maintain texture; consider storing bacon separately when meal prepping.
Adjust the heat of the salad by varying jalapeño quantity or substituting with milder or hotter peppers.
Swap ingredients freely: turkey bacon or nuts instead of bacon, other onions or cheeses to suit preferences, or plant-based alternatives for a dairy-free option.
Layer dressing at bottom of containers and broccoli on top when packing lunches to prevent sogginess. Shake or stir before eating.

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: broccoli salad, meal prep, healthy lunch, creamy salad, easy recipe, broccoli, bacon salad, make ahead salad