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Tangy Crunchy Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon and Cranberries

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A refreshing and tangy broccoli salad featuring crisp bacon, sweet-tart cranberries, and a creamy homemade dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings or quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 to 8 bacon strips, cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds, toasted (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins: ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped green apple

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place 6 to 8 strips of bacon in a cold skillet and cook over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat, then crumble once cool enough to handle.
  2. Prep the broccoli: While bacon cooks, rinse and chop broccoli into small florets, aiming for uniform sizes. Pat dry with a towel.
  3. Chop the onion: Finely dice ¼ cup of red onion. If desired, soak in cold water for 5 minutes and drain to reduce sharpness.
  4. Toast sunflower seeds (optional): In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast ¼ cup sunflower seeds for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let cool.
  5. Make the dressing: Whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, toasted sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon. Pour dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated.
  7. Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and broccoli to absorb dressing while staying crisp.

Notes

Use fresh broccoli and chop uniformly for best crunch. Crisp bacon is essential to maintain texture contrast. Toast sunflower seeds for added nutty flavor. Chill salad before serving to enhance flavor and texture. For dairy-free, substitute mayo with vegan mayo or avocado. For vegetarian, omit bacon and add toasted walnuts or roasted chickpeas.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, cranberry salad, summer salad, tangy salad, crunchy salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/tangy-crunchy-broccoli-salad-recipe-with-bacon-and-cranberries-perfect-for-summer/