Description
This classic Broccoli Salad combines fresh broccoli florets with sharp cheddar cheese, sweet craisins, crunchy sunflower kernels, red onion, and smoky bacon. Tossed in a creamy and tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sugar, this chilled salad is a perfect side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups broccoli florets broken into bite size pieces
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅔ cup chopped craisins (dried cranberries)
- ⅔ cup diced red onion
- ⅔ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ½ cup sunflower kernels
Dressing
- 1¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Using an extra large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped craisins, diced red onion, cooked and crumbled bacon, and sunflower kernels until well mixed.
- Prepare Dressing: In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and fresh cracked black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture and stir thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Chill: Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the salad for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Use a bowl with a lid instead of plastic wrap to prevent the broccoli from becoming soggy and to control odors.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or use a plant-based bacon alternative.
- Make sure to cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces for easy eating and better dressing coverage.
- The salad can be prepared a few hours in advance to enhance flavor meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
