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Broccoli Bacon Salad

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This Broccoli Bacon Salad is a crisp and creamy side dish loaded with fresh broccoli florets, crispy bacon, red onion, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries – all tossed in a tangy-sweet homemade dressing. It’s easy to make ahead and perfect for BBQs, holidays, or meal prep!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

  • 5 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads), chopped small

  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • ⅓ cup red onion, finely diced

  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries

  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds or chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans)

For the Dressing:

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the dressing:
    In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

  2. Assemble the salad:
    In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped broccoli, crumbled bacon, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and cheddar cheese.

  3. Toss and chill:
    Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

  4. Serve cold:
    Toss again just before serving. Garnish with extra bacon or seeds if desired.

 


Notes

  • For extra tenderness, blanch the broccoli for 1 minute and cool before using.

  • You can swap Greek yogurt for half the mayo for a lighter version.

  • This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days – great for meal prep!