Description
Crisp and refreshing broccoli salad blends crunchy vegetables with tangy dressing for a delightful side dish. Cool textures and zesty flavors make this salad a perfect companion for summer gatherings where people crave something light and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 45 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 5 cups (1.2 liters) fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- ½ cup (56 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (80 grams) red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsps (25 g) sugar (or honey)
- ⅓ cup (40 g) dried cranberries or raisins
- ⅓ cup (40 g) sunflower seeds (or sliced almonds)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until a smooth, balanced emulsion forms with consistent sweetness and seasoning.
- Ingredient Assembly: Combine chopped broccoli florets, red onion, shredded cheese, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon in a large mixing bowl, creating a colorful and textural foundation.
- Flavor Fusion: Pour prepared dressing over the ingredient mixture, thoroughly tossing to ensure complete and even coating, allowing each component to glisten with the creamy dressing.
- Flavor Infusion: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, enabling ingredients to marinate and develop a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
- Serving Presentation: Remove from refrigerator, gently stir one final time, and serve chilled as a vibrant and refreshing side dish that offers a delightful culinary experience.
Notes
- Prep Broccoli Carefully: Cut florets into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even dressing coverage and consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Balance Dressing Consistency: Whisk dressing ingredients slowly and thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy emulsion that clings perfectly to ingredients without becoming too runny.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Allow salad to marinate in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, which helps ingredients absorb dressing and develop more intense, harmonized taste profile.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Easily modify recipe by substituting mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for lower-fat version or using plant-based bacon for vegetarian alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg