Description
Crisp broccoli salad with bacon brings fresh flavors to your table. Crunchy vegetables, tangy dressing, and smoky bacon create a delightful side dish you’ll savor at summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 ml) broccoli florets, fresh
- ½ cup (120 ml) bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- ½ cup (120 ml) cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (120 ml) dried cranberries (optional, for sweetness)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sunflower seeds (or slivered almonds)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey (or maple syrup)
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Trim broccoli florets into uniform bite-sized pieces, crisp bacon until golden brown and crumble, dice red onion into delicate slivers, and shred cheddar cheese.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, and black pepper together in a small bowl until smooth and well-integrated, creating a creamy and tangy sauce.
- Salad Assembly: In a large mixing bowl, combine prepared broccoli, crumbled bacon, diced red onion, shredded cheddar, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Flavor Infusion: Pour dressing over the salad and gently fold to coat all components, making sure each ingredient is evenly dressed without becoming waterlogged.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then give a final gentle toss before presenting, creating a vibrant and refreshing side dish ready to delight.
Notes
- Broccoli Prep Perfection: Cut florets into uniform, bite-sized pieces to guarantee even dressing coverage and consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Bacon Crispiness Key: Cook bacon until golden brown and extremely crisp, then crumble into small pieces to add maximum crunch and smoky flavor.
- Dressing Balance Technique: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated mixture that coats ingredients evenly without overwhelming them.
- Chilling Magic: Allow salad to rest in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, enabling flavors to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg