Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon
Make Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon today: crisp broccoli, sweet cranberries, smoky bacon, and creamy dressing in minutes.
Ingredients
- 24 oz. broccoli florets ((about 5 cups), do not use frozen)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup bacon crumbles (or 8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled)
- 1 red onion (diced)
- ½ cup toasted sunflower kernels
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl
Place the fresh broccoli florets, dried cranberries, crisp bacon crumbles, diced red onion, and toasted sunflower kernels into a large mixing bowl. Gently toss the dry components together so the colors and textures distribute evenly — the tightly packed green florets, jewel-like cranberries, and pale onion slivers should sit visibly on top so you can see their individual textures and anticipate the final contrast.
Step 2: Whisk the creamy dressing and bring flavors together
In a medium bowl or small glass jar, whisk the mayonnaise with apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and ground black pepper until smooth and glossy; the dressing should be slightly thick but pourable, with tiny sugar grains dissolved and an even pale cream color. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and use a single wooden or matte mixing spoon to toss the salad thoroughly, ensuring every floret and mix-in gets a light, even coating — you want the dressing to cling in small droplets on the broccoli surfaces, not pool.
Step 3: Toss, chill if desired, and serve
Once fully combined and glossy, transfer or present the tossed broccoli salad in the same wide, shallow serving bowl used for mixing; adjust a few cranberries, bacon bits, and sunflower kernels on top for a lively, inviting finish. Serve immediately as a crisp, creamy, sweet-savory salad or chill in the refrigerator until ready — the textures should remain crisp with a thin sheen of dressing highlighting each component.
Notes
- Use the freshest broccoli you can find and chop into uniform florets
- Toast sunflower kernels quickly in a skillet for extra flavor
- Make dressing to taste; reduce sugar if you prefer less sweetness
- Keep dressing separate if you need the salad to stay crisp for hours
- If using bacon strips, cook until very crisp and drain on paper towels