Bacon Broccolini Charred Salad

This keto and paleo friendly Bacon and Broccolini Charred Salad is a delicious, colorful side dish that is perfect alongside any of your favorite main dishes!

A charred salad with broccoli and bacon.

At Ajpal, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

Quick and Easy Bacon Broccolini Charred Salad

While most people know broccoli and make it often, I have started to love making broccoli’s slightly more posh cousin – broccolini! Broccolini has become fashionable and trendy in many restaurants and is much more widely available than ever before thanks to its popularity.

Bacon Broccolini Charred Salad Ingredients

First assemble the following ingredients:

Bacon – bacon is high in fat and flavor, I like to used smoked peppered bacon for an extra hit of spice.
Broccolini – broccolini are like the cousin of traditional broccoli, they have longer stems and more body. you can substitute traditionally broccoli if you want.
Cherry tomatoes – cherry tomatoes are a great way to add a sweet fresh bite and they are especially delicious when charred.
Garlic – garlic has a strong pungent flavor and compliments the cherry tomatoes and broccolini well.
Sea salt and Black pepper – this dynamic duo are important for seasoning this charred salad.

picture of a white plate with broccolini, bacon, and cherry tomatoes on it.

Steps to Make Charred Broccolini

Once you have assembled the ingredients use the following method

Sauté. Cut the bacon and cook it in a large skillet until it just starts to brown. Add the broccolini and cook until it has softened stirring occasionally.

Add the extras. Once the broccolini has started to char on the ends add the cherry tomatoes, garlic, sea salt, and pepper. Cook until tomatoes start to pop, and garlic is fragrant.

Serve. Enjoy this hot alongside your favorite main dish, see our suggestions below.

Tips and Tricks for perfect Bacon Broccolini Charred Salad

Swap broccolini for broccoli. Broccolini is a meatier alternative to broccoli – and a little bit fancier than the shorter, squattier cousin. You can swap them for broccoli if you prefer.

Don’t Overcook the Bacon: You want that fat rendered and lightly browned, not crispy to dust — it adds the best smoky richness to the broccolini.

Char Is Your Friend: Let the broccolini catch tantalizing browning on the edges — that’s where big flavor lives.

Heat Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes gives this side salad a subtle pop of spice that balances the savory bacon.