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Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon and Creamy Dressing

Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon and Creamy Dressing
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A fresh, crunchy, and flavorful broccoli salad featuring crisp broccoli florets, smoky bacon, and a luscious creamy dressing. This easy recipe is perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or any time you want a tasty, healthy boost. It delivers bright colors, rich textures, and a refreshing zest that’s truly irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 6 slices crispy bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or slivered almonds
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Creamy Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Broccoli and Bacon: Wash and cut fresh broccoli into bite-sized florets. Cook bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble into small pieces to add crunch and savory depth.
  2. Chop the Additional Ingredients: Thinly slice the red onion. Gather your choice of dried cranberries or raisins and nuts or seeds, which add sweetness, tartness, and texture variety.
  3. Make the Creamy Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. This dressing coats the broccoli and complements the smoky bacon with tang and sweetness.
  4. Combine Everything: Place broccoli, bacon, red onion, nuts or seeds, and dried fruit into a large bowl. Pour the creamy dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat without making the broccoli soggy.
  5. Chill and Serve: Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and the dressing thicken slightly. Stir gently before serving to redistribute the dressing evenly.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the broccoli to keep it crisp; use fresh raw broccoli rather than steamed.
  • Cook bacon until crispy but not burnt to achieve the right texture contrast.
  • The dressing and salad can be prepared separately a day ahead for easy assembly later.
  • Toss salad gently using folding motions to avoid bruising the broccoli florets.
  • Adjust seasoning by tasting and tweaking salt, sweetness, or acidity before chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, creamy dressing salad, healthy salad, potluck salad, easy broccoli salad

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/easy-broccoli-salad-recipe-with-bacon-and-creamy-dressing/