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–+ servings

easy broccoli salad

This easy broccoli salad is a delightful blend of crunchy broccoli florets, crispy bacon, sweet cranberries, and red onion, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. It's a perfect make-ahead side dish for potlucks, barbecues, or a healthy weeknight meal. Simple to prepare and packed with flavor!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients

  • 4 cups broccoli florets chopped into small pieces
  • 0.5 cup red onion finely diced
  • 8 slices bacon cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 0.5 cup dried cranberries
  • 0.25 cup sunflower seeds

Creamy Dressing

  • 0.75 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 0.125 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

Preparation Steps

  • Wash the broccoli thoroughly and chop it into small, bite-sized florets. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
  • Finely dice the red onion and add it to the bowl with the broccoli.
  • If not already done, cook the bacon in a skillet until it's crispy. Drain on paper towels, then crumble into small pieces and add to the broccoli mixture.
  • Add the dried cranberries and sunflower seeds to the bowl with the other salad ingredients.

Make the Dressing

  • In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.

Combine and Serve

  • Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl.
  • Toss all the ingredients together gently until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate the easy broccoli salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the broccoli to soften slightly.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, simply omit the bacon. You can also customize by adding other nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts, or different dried fruits like golden raisins. Adjust sugar to your preference.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg
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