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Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon featuring fresh broccoli and crispy bacon bits

Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon

A crunchy, creamy, and flavorful salad featuring fresh broccoli, bacon, and a rich dressing, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 cups Fresh broccoli florets Cut small for easy scooping
  • 6 slices Bacon Cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese Can be cubed or shredded
  • 1/4 cup Red onion Diced
  • 1/2 cup Sunflower seeds For crunch (alternative: pepitas)
  • 1/2 cup Dried cranberries Or raisins for sweetness
  • Salt Salt To taste
  • Pepper Pepper To taste
Optional Add-Ins
  • 1 cup Chopped apples For extra crunch
  • 1/4 cup Chopped parsley For garnish
  • 1/4 cup Chopped almonds If sunflower seeds are unavailable
Dressing Ingredients
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Or half mayo and half Greek yogurt for a lighter option
  • 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar For tang
  • 1 tablespoon Honey Or sugar for sweetness
  • Pinch Salt
  • Pinch Pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp, then transfer to paper towels and let it cool.
  2. Cut the broccoli florets into small bite-sized pieces, and chop any large stems.
  3. Dice the red onion, cube or shred the cheese, and measure out the sunflower seeds and dried cranberries.
Mixing
  1. In a large bowl, combine broccoli, onion, cheese, sunflower seeds, and cranberries.
  2. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well, folding in most of the bacon while saving some for garnish.
Chilling
  1. Refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

For best texture, mix everything except the bacon and stir it in just before serving. This salad lasts about 3 days in the fridge, but the bacon will soften over time.