Description
This vibrant and satisfying broccoli salad is a family favorite that combines fresh broccoli with savory bacon, crunchy nuts, and a creamy dressing. Perfect for potlucks or weeknight dinners, it’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- Fresh Broccoli Florets
- Crispy Savory Bits (beef bacon or smoked tofu/tempeh)
- Red Onion
- Dried Cranberries or Raisins
- Sunflower Seeds or Nuts (toasted pecans, walnuts, or slivered almonds)
- Mayonnaise
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Sugar or Maple Syrup/Honey
- Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep Your Broccoli – Start by washing your broccoli thoroughly. Pat it dry and cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. If you have some tender stem, peel it and finely dice it to add to the mix. Place all the prepared broccoli into a large mixing bowl.
- Step 2: Prepare Your Savory & Sweet Add-ins – If you’re using beef bacon, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until it’s perfectly crisp. Drain it well on paper towels to remove excess grease, then crumble it into small pieces. Add the crispy bits directly to the bowl with your broccoli. Next, finely dice your red onion and add it to the bowl. Lastly, measure out your dried cranberries (or raisins) and sunflower seeds (or nuts) and toss them in with the other ingredients.
- Step 3: Whisk the Creamy Dressing – In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar (or your chosen sweetener). Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Combine and Toss – Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl. Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, gently toss everything together until all the broccoli florets and other ingredients are thoroughly coated in the creamy dressing.
- Step 5: Chill for Flavor Fusion – Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Ideally, let it chill for 4 hours, or even overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: Don't skip the chill time to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Feel free to customize the crunchy elements with different nuts or seeds, and adjust the sweetness and tang of the dressing to your liking.