Broccoli Salad: Crunchy & Zesty

The Best Broccoli Salad is a colorful dish that tantalizes your taste buds with its crunchy texture and zesty dressing. Imagine biting into fresh broccoli, perfectly mixed with sweet raisins and savory bacon, all enveloped in a creamy dressing that dances on your palate. It’s the kind of salad that makes you wonder why you ever settled for sad, wilted greens.

I fondly remember the first time I brought this salad to a family picnic. My uncle, known for his unyielding loyalty to traditional barbecue sides, took one bite and declared it the “life of the party.” Now, this vibrant dish graces our table at every gathering because who knew broccoli could be so exciting?

I still chuckle when I think about how my family fought over the last spoonful of this delicious salad during that picnic.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• Fresh Broccoli: Choose firm, vibrant green florets for the best flavor and crunch.
• Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for optimal crispiness nobody likes soggy bacon in their salad.
• Dried Cranberries: These add a lovely sweetness and chewy texture feel free to substitute raisins if you prefer.
• Red Onion: Thinly slice for a sharp kick that balances well with the creamy dressing.
• Sunflower Seeds: These provide an extra crunch toasted ones are particularly tasty.
• Mayonnaise: A base for the dressing that adds creaminess opt for light mayo if you’re watching calories.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds tanginess to the dressing—don’t skip it
• Sugar: Just a hint balances out the acidity adjust according to your taste.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make it Together

Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by washing your broccoli under cold water. Cut off the stems and chop them into bite-sized florets. Leave them bright green and crunchy

Crisp Up That Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 4-6 slices of bacon until crispy, about 7-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let them cool before crumbling.

Create Your Dressing: In a bowl, mix 1 cup of mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Whisk until smooth—a little tangy magic happens here

Toss It All Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped broccoli, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and thinly sliced red onion. Drizzle that heavenly dressing over everything.

Mix and Chill: Gently toss all ingredients until evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let those flavors meld together beautifully.

Enjoy sharing The Best Broccoli Salad at your next gathering or simply indulge in its scrumptiousness during lunch You’ll be amazed at how quickly it disappears.

Perfecting the Cooking Process

To achieve the best results, start by blanching the broccoli to retain its vibrant color and crunch. While that cools, prepare the dressing, then toss everything together for maximum flavor infusion.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to swap ingredients based on your pantry—try adding nuts for crunch or dried cranberries for sweetness. You can even experiment with different dressings to find your favorite combo.

Storing & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For best flavor, enjoy cold rather than reheated, as it maintains that refreshing crunch.

Cooking this broccoli salad always reminds me of my grandmother’s backyard gatherings. She’d whip up a massive bowl, and we’d devour it while laughing under the sun—those memories are as delicious as the salad itself

FAQ

What is the best way to make broccoli crunchy?

Blanching briefly in boiling water keeps broccoli crisp and bright green.

Can I use frozen broccoli for this salad?

While fresh is best, thawed frozen broccoli can work if prepared well.

How long does this salad last in the fridge?

The broccoli salad stays good in the fridge for about three days without wilting.

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The Best Broccoli Salad

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• Author: Clara Rosewood
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Serves about 6 people 1x

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Description

Indulge in The Best Broccoli Salad, a vibrant dish that combines fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, sweet dried cranberries, and a creamy dressing. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners, delivering a delightful crunch with every bite. Brighten your meal with this nutritious option that’s sure to impress and satisfy everyone at the table!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1 cup dried cranberries (or raisins)
• 1/2 medium red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (toasted)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the broccoli by washing and cutting it into bite-sized florets.
2. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 7-10 minutes). Let it cool and crumble.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, crumbled bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and red onion. Drizzle the dressing over the mixture and toss gently to combine.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 20mg