The Best Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Tangy Dressing
You need a reliable, crowd-pleasing side dish for your next gathering. This recipe delivers a classic broccoli salad packed with crunch from fresh broccoli, savory bacon, sweet cranberries, and a creamy, tangy dressing. It is a family favorite perfect for potlucks and summer BBQs.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or goat cheese)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables and mix-ins: In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, finely chopped red onion, and shredded cheese. Set this aside.
- Make the tangy salad dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and the sugar dissolves.
- Combine the salad: Pour the creamy dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss everything together gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the broccoli salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to blend and helps the broccoli absorb some of the dressing.
- Serve cold: Give the salad one final gentle toss before you serve this potluck favorite.
Notes
- For the best crunch, chop your broccoli into small, uniform pieces.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise if you want a slightly lighter dressing.
- Make this salad ahead of time; it tastes even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg