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Broccoli Bacon Salad

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A crunchy, creamy, smoky broccoli bacon salad perfect for potlucks and quick gatherings. This easy recipe combines fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a tangy-sweet dressing for a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 to 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels and crumble when cool.
  2. Wash and chop broccoli florets into small bite-sized pieces. Pat dry thoroughly.
  3. Finely dice the red onion. Soak in cold water for 10 minutes if you want to mellow the sharpness, then drain well.
  4. Toast sunflower seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let cool.
  5. Shred the sharp cheddar cheese using a cheese grater.
  6. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, sugar, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, crumbled bacon, diced onion, toasted sunflower seeds, and shredded cheddar cheese.
  8. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated.
  9. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Toss gently again before serving.

Notes

Pat broccoli dry thoroughly to avoid soggy salad. Save some bacon fat to cook onions for extra smoky flavor. Toast sunflower seeds carefully to avoid burning. For creamier salad, add extra mayo or sour cream. Salad tastes best after chilling for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli bacon salad, potluck salad, easy salad, bacon salad, broccoli salad, quick salad, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/broccoli-bacon-salad-recipe-easy-potluck-salad-everyone-will-love/