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The Best Crunchy Broccoli Bacon Salad with Creamy Dressing

A close-up of creamy broccoli salad topped with bacon, shredded cheese, dried cranberries, and nuts.
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Make this simple, crowd-pleasing broccoli salad featuring crisp broccoli, savory bacon, and a creamy homemade dressing. It is perfect for potlucks and summer BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of fresh broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Place the broccoli florets in a large bowl. If the florets are very large, chop them smaller so you get a good mix in every bite.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
  3. Add the crumbled bacon, chopped red onion, cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries to the bowl with the broccoli.
  4. Pour the creamy dressing over the salad ingredients.
  5. Gently toss everything together until the broccoli and other components are evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the broccoli salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.

Notes

  • For the best crunch, chop the broccoli into small, uniform pieces.
  • You can prepare the dressing and cook the bacon up to one day ahead of time. Store them separately.
  • If you prefer a lighter dressing, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
  • Toast the sunflower seeds lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat for a deeper flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/best-crunchy-broccoli-salad-recipe/