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Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon Cranberry and Honey Mustard Dressing

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A refreshing summer side salad combining crisp broccoli, smoky bacon, tart cranberries, and a sweet-tangy honey mustard dressing. Perfect for gatherings and quick to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices thick-cut smoked bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 4 cups of broccoli florets under cold water and pat dry with a clean towel. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Place 6 strips of thick-cut bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy, turning occasionally. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, then crumble into small pieces. Reserve a tablespoon of bacon fat if desired.
  3. In the same skillet, toast ¼ cup of sunflower seeds over medium-low heat until golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Remove and let cool.
  4. Finely dice ¼ cup red onion and shred ½ cup cheddar cheese. Set aside.
  5. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Whisk or shake until smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, toasted sunflower seeds, diced red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Let the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before plating.

Notes

Pat broccoli dry thoroughly to avoid soggy salad. Start bacon in a cold pan for even crispiness. Whisk honey and mustard before adding mayo for smooth dressing. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving. Salad holds well for 1-2 days refrigerated but avoid freezing.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, honey mustard dressing, summer side dish, crunchy salad, cranberry salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/crunchy-broccoli-salad-with-bacon-cranberry-and-honey-mustard-dressing-recipe-easy-perfect-summer-side/