broccoli bacon salad

Need a break from traditional holiday foods? This recipe takes humble broccoli and transforms it into a crunchy, savory delight. Broccoli, known for its nutritional prowess, provides a crisp and fresh base for this salad, packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. The addition of crispy bacon brings a smoky and salty note, elevating the dish to a satisfying and savory experience. The salad is further enriched with a creamy dressing that seamlessly ties together the diverse elements. With the inclusion of red onions, cheese, nuts and sunflower seeds, each bite becomes a harmonious blend of crunch, saltiness, and creaminess. Whether served as a side or a standalone dish, this broccoli bacon salad is a crowd-pleaser that captures the essence of comfort and flavor in every forkful.

Photo and recipe adapted from Carlsbad Cravings blog.

Visit their site to see original recipe, video, and details or scroll down for our interpretation.

broccoli bacon salad

prep time: 15 min
cook time: 5 min

4-6 servings

Dish ingredients

2 heads of broccoli

6-8 slices of bacon

1 sweet apple

1 cup Gouda cheese, or sharp cheddar, cubed

1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

2/3 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup red onion

1/2 cup sunflower seeds, roasted

Dressing ingredients

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup greek yogurt

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp sugar

3 tbsp parsley

1 tbsp chives

1 tbsp dill

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Preparation

1. Make dressing by whisking all the dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl or shaking in a mason jar for quick cleanup.

2. Cook bacon to preferred crispy texture.

3. Prep vegetables and fruit.

   Chop broccoli, apples, onion, and cheese into bite sized pieces.

4. Add salad Ingredients: broccoli, apples, onion, cheese, almonds, cranberries, to a large bowl.

5. Pour dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated in the dressing.

6. The salad can be served immediately, but for best flavor, refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

7. When ready to serve, add the sunflower seeds and bacon and toss again before serving. Keep refrigerated if not eating right away.

8. Enjoy!

Notes

If you do not like the texture of raw broccoli, you can blanch the chopped broccoli for 1-2 minutes prior to including in the salad.

Don’t have sunflower seeds? You can substitute with seeds from pumpkins or squash that you’ve dried and toasted with light seasonings.

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