Description
Tangy broccoli salad brings Mediterranean freshness to your table with crisp vegetables and zesty flavors. Crunchy florets and bold seasonings create a light, refreshing dish you’ll savor with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 5 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
Proteins and Cheese:
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Extras and Dressing Components:
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop broccoli into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent texture and even dressing distribution.
- Prepare bacon by cooking until crisp, then crumble into small, crunchy fragments that will add smoky depth to the salad.
- Dice red onion finely to provide sharp, pungent undertones without overwhelming the other ingredients.
- Combine broccoli, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and red onion in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Create dressing by whisking mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad, gently folding to ensure each ingredient is thoroughly coated with the tangy mixture.
- Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to marinate, enhancing overall taste profile.
- Prior to serving, stir salad once more and taste, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper if required.
- Serve chilled, presenting a vibrant, textural salad with layers of complementary flavors and contrasting crunch.
Notes
- Swap bacon for crispy tempeh or coconut bacon to make the salad vegetarian-friendly and add a smoky crunch.
- Reduce sugar in the dressing by using a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup for a healthier alternative.
- Toast sunflower seeds beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the salad’s texture.
- Store the dressing separately from the salad ingredients to prevent sogginess and maintain maximum crispness before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg