Description
Experience the perfect blend of flavors with this Broccoli Salad with Bacon recipe. This crowd-pleasing dish combines crispy bacon, sweet cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and sharp cheddar cheese, all drizzled with a zesty homemade dressing. Ideal for summer barbecues, holiday feasts, or casual gatherings, this salad is as nutritious as it is delicious. Its vibrant colors and satisfying textures make it a must-have at any table. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, you can enjoy it warm or chilled—making it the ultimate versatile side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10–11 strips cooked bacon
- 2 heads of broccoli (about 1.5 pounds)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup roasted sunflower seeds
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
- 1 & 1/4 cups Miracle Whip OR mayonnaise
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 & 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven and bake the bacon until crispy. Cool and chop.
- In a large bowl, whisk together Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise), lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper to create the dressing.
- Chop broccoli into small florets.
- Combine chopped broccoli, cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, and chopped bacon in the bowl with the dressing. Mix gently until well coated.
- Serve immediately or chill for about 20 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg