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Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cranberries

creamy broccoli salad with bacon and cranberries - featured image
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A refreshing and flavorful summer side salad combining crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, sweet-tart cranberries, and a creamy tangy dressing. Perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 1 large head), cut bite-sized
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds or slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (regular or light)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prepare the broccoli: While the bacon cooks, wash the broccoli florets and dry thoroughly. Chop into small, even pieces about 1-inch chunks. Optionally, blanch in boiling water for 1 minute, then shock in ice water and dry well for a milder flavor.
  3. Dice the onion: Finely chop about 1/4 cup of red onion. If raw onion feels too strong, soak the pieces in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain well.
  4. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, diced onion, shredded cheddar, and toasted sunflower seeds. Pour the dressing over and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Dry broccoli thoroughly to avoid sogginess. Use thick-cut bacon for best texture. Adjust sugar in dressing based on sweetness of cranberries. Salad tastes better after chilling for a few hours or overnight. For vegetarian option, replace bacon with toasted walnuts or pecans. Salad can be made dairy-free by substituting sour cream and cheese with plant-based alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, bacon salad, cranberry salad, summer side dish, easy salad recipe, potluck salad

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/creamy-broccoli-salad-with-bacon-and-cranberries-easy-recipe-for-perfect-summer-sides/