Description
This Easy Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe is a fresh, crunchy, and flavorful side dish made with crisp broccoli, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, and a creamy homemade dressing. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, and family gatherings, this simple salad comes together quickly and is always a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
For the Broccoli Salad
- 6 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 8 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
For the Creamy Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli: Wash and chop broccoli into small bite-sized florets. Pat dry to help the dressing coat better.
- Cook the bacon: Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble into small pieces and set aside.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Combine the salad: Add broccoli, bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries to a large bowl.
- Toss and chill: Pour dressing over the salad and mix well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Notes
For extra crunch, add the sunflower seeds and bacon just before serving. This broccoli salad can be made up to a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. For a lighter version, replace some mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: easy broccoli bacon salad recipe, broccoli salad, bacon broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, summer salad recipe, bbq side dish, potluck salad
