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Crispy Broccoli Bacon Ranch Salad

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A crunchy and satisfying salad combining fresh broccoli florets, crispy bacon, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for make-ahead meals and packed lunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup toasted sunflower seeds (optional)
  • ¾ cup ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Lay out 6-8 thick-cut bacon strips and cook until crispy, about 8-10 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, crumble into bite-sized pieces. (Tip: Save a tablespoon of bacon grease for extra flavor in the dressing if desired.)
  2. While bacon cooks, wash and dry about 4 cups of broccoli florets. Trim large stems so all pieces are roughly the same size.
  3. Thinly slice 1 small red onion and set aside.
  4. In a dry pan over medium heat, toast ½ cup sunflower seeds until golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together ¾ cup ranch dressing, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Add a teaspoon of reserved bacon grease if using. Stir until well combined.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, sliced onion, shredded cheddar cheese, toasted sunflower seeds, and chopped fresh parsley. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Save a tablespoon of bacon grease to add a smoky flavor to the dressing. Avoid overmixing the salad to keep broccoli crunchy. Toss salad again before serving if it sits for a day to refresh texture. For a dairy-free version, substitute mayo and ranch dressing with vegan alternatives and swap cheddar for a dairy-free cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, ranch dressing, make-ahead salad, crunchy salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/crispy-broccoli-bacon-ranch-salad-recipe-easy-make-ahead-meal/