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Creamy Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds

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A quick and easy creamy broccoli salad featuring smoky bacon, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy sunflower seeds, tossed in a tangy homemade dressing. Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or a fresh weekday side.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 1 large head), washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup shelled, roasted sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup finely diced red onion (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Lay out the 6 bacon slices in a single layer. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until crispy but not burnt. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prepare the broccoli: While the bacon cooks, wash and chop the broccoli head into small florets, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches each. Pat dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture.
  3. Dice the onion: Finely chop ¼ cup of red onion. If raw onion is too strong, soak diced pieces in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain before adding.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and honey until smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add broccoli florets, chopped bacon, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and diced red onion.
  6. Add the dressing: Pour the creamy dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly without bruising the broccoli.
  7. Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. The salad tastes better after sitting for an hour or two.

Notes

Dry the broccoli thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Cook bacon until crispy but not burnt for best flavor. Toss salad gently to avoid bruising broccoli. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Reserve some bacon bits and sunflower seeds for garnish if desired. Can substitute dried cranberries with fresh strawberries in spring/summer. For dairy-free, use coconut yogurt and dairy-free mayo. Salad keeps up to 3 days refrigerated; add fresh seeds before serving to maintain crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, bacon salad, cranberry salad, sunflower seeds, easy salad recipe, potluck salad, healthy side dish

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/creamy-broccoli-salad-recipe-with-bacon-cranberries-and-sunflower-seeds-easy-and-delicious/