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Crunchy Classic Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cranberries

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A crunchy and flavorful broccoli salad featuring crispy bacon, tart dried cranberries, and a creamy tangy dressing. Perfect as a quick side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 1 large head), washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place bacon slices in a cold skillet, then turn heat to medium. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping occasionally, until crispy but not burnt. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prep the broccoli: While bacon cooks, wash and chop broccoli into small florets about 1-inch pieces. Drain well to avoid watery salad.
  3. Chop the onion: Finely dice the red onion. If the flavor feels too strong raw, soak the pieces in cold water for 5 minutes then drain to mellow the sharpness.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss broccoli, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, onion, shredded cheddar, and seeds or nuts until evenly mixed.
  6. Add dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Chill and serve: Let the salad rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and broccoli to soften slightly without losing crunch.

Notes

Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes is key to melding flavors and softening broccoli slightly without losing crunch. Save a tablespoon of bacon fat to cook the onion for extra flavor if desired. Be gentle when tossing to keep broccoli crisp and bacon from crumbling too much. Toast nuts or seeds before adding for extra crunch and flavor. For a lighter dressing, substitute half the mayo with Greek yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, cranberry salad, crunchy salad, easy side dish, summer salad, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/crunchy-classic-broccoli-salad-with-bacon-and-cranberries-recipe-easy-and-delicious/