Description
Creamy broccoli bacon salad brings a perfect blend of crisp vegetables and smoky bacon in one irresistible dish. Crunchy florets tossed with tangy dressing create a delightful complement to backyard barbecues and summer gatherings you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Main Ingredients:
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 5 cups (1.2 kg) fresh broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads), chopped small
Cheese and Additional Toppings:
- ½ cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (30 g) sunflower seeds or chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans)
- ⅓ cup (50 g) red onion, finely diced
- ⅓ cup (45 g) dried cranberries
Dressing Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (180 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey or sugar
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant, tangy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a small mixing vessel. Season with salt and pepper, creating a harmonious blend of creamy and zesty flavors.
- Prepare the broccoli by chopping into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent texture and even dressing distribution.
- Crisp and crumble bacon into rustic fragments, releasing its smoky essence throughout the salad.
- Dice red onion into delicate slivers, adding a sharp, pungent undertone to the vegetable medley.
- Sprinkle dried cranberries to introduce a sweet, tart element that complements the savory bacon and crunchy broccoli.
- Scatter sunflower seeds across the mixture, providing a nutty crunch and additional textural complexity.
- Integrate shredded cheddar cheese, allowing its rich, sharp profile to meld with the other ingredients.
- Drench the entire composition with the prepared dressing, gently folding to ensure every ingredient is luxuriously coated.
- Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to intermingle and develop a more profound taste profile.
- Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss, then optionally garnish with extra bacon crumbles or a sprinkle of seeds for added visual appeal and texture.
Notes
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier, tangier dressing that cuts down on calories while maintaining creamy texture.
- Toast sunflower seeds briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
- Blanch broccoli quickly in boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water to maintain vibrant color and slightly soften without losing crisp texture.
- Customize the salad by substituting bacon with crispy turkey bacon or tempeh bacon for vegetarian and lower-fat options that still deliver robust flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg