Description
Broccoli Salad with Bacon is a delightful mix of flavors and textures that will steal the show at your next gathering. This vibrant dish features crisp bacon, sweet dried cranberries, creamy cheddar cheese, and crunchy sunflower seeds, all tossed together in a tangy homemade dressing. Perfect for summer barbecues or holiday feasts, this salad is not only easy to prepare but also customizable to suit your taste. Packed with nutrients from fresh broccoli, it’s an excellent way to sneak in some veggies while satisfying your guests’ cravings for a flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10–11 strips cooked bacon
- 2 heads broccoli (about 1.5 pounds)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup roasted sunflower seeds
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
- 1.25 cups Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- dry mustard
- cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in the oven until crispy; chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: Miracle Whip or mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, white wine vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper.
- Chop broccoli into small florets and add to the bowl with the dressing.
- Mix in cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, red onion, and most of the bacon (reserve some for topping).
- Stir until well-coated; chill for at least 20 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg