Description
This Creamy Broccoli Salad Recipe offers a delightful combination of fresh broccoli florets, crunchy turkey bacon, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries tossed in a smooth, tangy mayonnaise-based dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish, it’s easy to prepare with no cooking required and is ideal for potlucks, picnics, or a healthy everyday meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled turkey bacon or bacon alternative
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey or granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli: Wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli to remove any moisture, then chop it into small, bite-sized florets to ensure easy eating and optimal texture in the salad.
- Combine the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped broccoli, finely diced red onion, shredded carrots, crumbled turkey bacon, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries or raisins.
- Make the dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and creamy with a balanced tangy-sweet flavor.
- Toss the salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and for the salad to chill, improving the overall taste and texture.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the salad again to redistribute the dressing and check the seasoning; adjust salt or pepper if needed to suit your taste.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add chopped almonds or pecans to the salad.
- Replace half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing.
- Letting the salad chill for at least one hour enhances the flavor blend and improves the texture.
