Broccoli Bacon Salad
This Broccoli Bacon Salad recipe offers a delicious blend of flavors and textures, featuring crispy bacon, tender broccoli, sweet cranberries, and sharp cheddar cheese, all tossed in a tangy homemade dressing. Whether for summer barbecues or holiday gatherings, this salad is guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.
Key Ingredients That Make This Broccoli Bacon Salad Shine
- Bacon – Adds a savory crunch and smoky flavor, perfectly complementing the fresh vegetables.
- Broccoli – Provides a nutritious and crisp base that holds up well in the salad, offering both color and texture.
- Dried Cranberries – Brings a hint of sweetness, balancing the richness of the bacon and dressing.
- Sunflower Seeds – Contributes a nutty crunch, making each bite more interesting.
- Cheddar Cheese – Offers a sharp, creamy taste that pairs beautifully with the salad’s other flavors.
- Red Onion – Adds a mild bite and touch of color, enhancing the salad’s overall flavor profile.
Simple Steps to Create This Flavorful Broccoli Bacon Salad
- Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy using your preferred method, like baking in the oven to reduce splatter. Once done, drain on paper towels and chop.
- Whisk the Dressing: Combine Miracle Whip or mayonnaise with lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Prepare the Broccoli: Cut broccoli into small florets. You can also include the stems if desired for added texture. Place broccoli in a large bowl with the dressing.
- Mix the Salad Ingredients: Add cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, red onion, and most of the bacon to the bowl. Stir to coat everything in the dressing.
- Serve or Chill: Enjoy the salad right away or refrigerate. For the best flavor, bring it to room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Broccoli Bacon Salad
To maintain the crispness of the bacon, consider adding it just before serving if you plan to make the salad in advance. Additionally, lightly blanching the broccoli can soften its texture without losing its crunch. If you prefer a less sweet salad, reduce the amount of sugar in the dressing.
Storing Your Broccoli Bacon Salad
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. For the freshest taste, store the bacon separately and mix it in when ready to enjoy. The dressing’s flavors meld beautifully with time, making this salad even tastier the next day.
Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe
A delightful and crowd-pleasing dish, this Broccoli Bacon Salad combines crispy bacon, sweet cranberries, sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy sunflower seeds with a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect as a side dish for summer barbecues or holiday gatherings.
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Servings: 8
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 10-11 strips of bacon cooked and chopped
- 2 heads of broccoli approximately 1½ pounds (5-6 cups)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup chopped red onion or more to taste
For the Dressing:
- 1¼ cups Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon to your desired crispness using your preferred method, such as baking in the oven to avoid splatter. Once cooked, place on paper towels to drain excess grease and cool. Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the Miracle Whip or mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper. Whisk together until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Salad: Trim the broccoli into small florets using a sharp knife. You may also chop the stems and add them if desired. Place the chopped broccoli into the bowl with the dressing. Add the dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped red onion, and most of the bacon, reserving a portion for garnish.
- Combine and Serve: Stir the salad thoroughly until the dressing coats all ingredients. Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate the salad and let it come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Notes
For best results, if you plan to serve the salad later, keep the bacon separate and mix it in just before serving to maintain its crispness.