Description
Summer picnics sparkle with this broccoli salad featuring crisp florets, smoky bacon, and sharp cheddar. Cool creamy dressing blends perfectly with crunchy ingredients, making each bite a delightful summer sensation you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) fresh broccoli florets
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) dried cranberries
Nuts and Seeds:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chopped almonds (alternative to sunflower seeds)
Dressing Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) black pepper
Instructions
- Craft a zesty dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a compact mixing vessel until smooth and well-integrated.
- Chop broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform size for consistent texture and even dressing absorption.
- Crisp and crumble bacon into delicate fragments, creating a savory crunch throughout the salad.
- Dice red onion into fine, translucent slivers to distribute a subtle sharp flavor without overpowering other ingredients.
- Shred cheddar cheese into small, scattered pieces that will meld seamlessly with the other components.
- Sprinkle sunflower seeds and dried cranberries across the vegetable mixture, adding layers of nutty and sweet undertones.
- Gently drizzle prepared dressing over the salad, using a folding motion to ensure every ingredient receives an even coating.
- Allow the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling flavors to mingle and intensify, creating a harmonious blend of taste and texture.
- Serve the salad chilled or at ambient temperature as a vibrant and satisfying accompaniment to main courses.
Notes
- Chop broccoli into small, bite-sized florets to ensure even coating with dressing and easier eating.
- Crisp bacon beforehand to add a satisfying crunch and prevent sogginess in the salad.
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Consider toasting sunflower seeds to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg