Description
Creamy southern broccoli salad blends crisp vegetables with tangy dressing, creating irresistible summer comfort. Bacon bits and sunflower seeds provide perfect crunch you’ll savor at picnics and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 head broccoli
- 8 oz (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, cut into very small chunks
- 6 to 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup (75 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup (80 g) chopped red onion
- 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
- ½ cup (75 g) optional raisins
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) white vinegar
Instructions
- Preparation: Carefully trim broccoli, removing outer leaves and tough stalks. Rinse thoroughly under cool water and chop into uniform bite-sized florets and stem pieces in a large mixing bowl.
- Ingredient Integration: Combine crisp crumbled bacon, finely diced red onion, golden raisins, and cubed cheddar cheese with the broccoli, creating a diverse and textural base.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk granulated sugar, white vinegar, and mayonnaise until smooth and fully incorporated, developing a creamy, consistent sauce that will bind the salad components.
- Flavor Fusion: Pour dressing over the broccoli mixture, gently folding to ensure complete and even coating of all ingredients, distributing the creamy dressing throughout the salad.
- Chilling and Serving: Seal the bowl and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Serve well-chilled as a vibrant and refreshing side dish, ensuring optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Prep Like a Pro: Ensure broccoli florets are similar in size for even coating and consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Bacon Brilliance: Crisp bacon thoroughly before crumbling to add a satisfying crunch and enhance overall flavor profile.
- Dressing Dynamics: Whisk dressing ingredients until completely smooth to prevent sugar granules from creating a gritty texture.
- Chill for Flavor: Refrigeration is crucial—allows ingredients to marry and develop deeper, more complex taste sensations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg