Description

Broccoli Salad is a vibrant and crunchy side dish featuring crisp broccoli florets, savory bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, sweet dried cranberries, sunflower seeds or almonds, and a creamy tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for gatherings, requiring minimal prep and chilling, and offers bold flavors with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

5 cups broccoli florets, chopped
1/2 cup precooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup sunflower seeds or chopped almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Chop the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. For softer broccoli, blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, then rinse with cold water.
In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, precooked bacon, red onion, cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds or almonds, and dried cranberries or raisins.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey (or sugar), salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

Notes

You can substitute almonds for sunflower seeds, raisins for dried cranberries, or use turkey bacon for a lighter version. For a dairy-free option, omit cheddar or use vegan cheese. Broccoli Salad can be made up to a day ahead; just keep dressing and salad separate until an hour before serving to maintain crunch. If the salad is watery, pat broccoli well after rinsing. Leftovers store well for up to 2 days in the fridge.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-cook (optional quick blanching)
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: about 1 cup
Calories: 315
Sugar: 11g
Sodium: 580mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 25mg