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Creamy Broccoli Salad with Crispy Bacon
Ready in minutes, this Creamy Broccoli Salad with Crispy Bacon is the perfect side dish for any BBQ, party, or potluck. Made with fresh, crisp broccoli florets, salty and savory bacon, sweet raisins, tart cranberries, nutty sunflower seeds, and a deliciously sweet and savory homemade mayonnaise-based dressing, this salad is a true crowd-pleaser. It's easy to see why this is our favorite broccoli salad recipe.
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Servings: 8
Calories: 837kcal
Equipment
- Airtight Container for leftovers
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Ingredients
- 8 cups fresh broccoli crowns washed and chopped into small pieces (about 6 crowns)
- ½ cup red onion finely diced
- 1 pound bacon fried, drained, and crumbled
- 1 cup roasted and salted sunflower seed kernels
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
Dressing:
- 1 ½ cups real mayonnaise
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional add-in:
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese small cubes, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth. Set this aside for now.
Combine the Salad Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, mix the broccoli, onion, raisins, and cranberries until well combined.
Mix in the Dressing:
- Pour the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Chill:
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors meld.
Add Final Touches:
- Just before serving, mix in the sunflower seeds and bacon bits, stirring well to combine.
Serve:
- Serve the salad immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Make Ahead: Broccoli Salad can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge for at least an hour or up to 24 hours before serving.
Storing Leftovers: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Drying Broccoli: Ensure the broccoli is very dry before mixing to prevent the dressing from getting watered down. No need to cook the broccoli for this recipe.
Shortcut Option: Feel free to use store-bought coleslaw dressing if you prefer.
Nutrition
Calories: 837kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 68g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 29g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 1037mg | Potassium: 595mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 740IU | Vitamin C: 80mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 2mg
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.