Description
Broccoli Beef Bacon Salad is a hearty, flavor-packed dish designed to satisfy your cravings while nourishing your body.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10–11 strips beef bacon, cooked
- 2 heads broccoli (5–6 cups florets)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup roasted, salted sunflower seeds
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
- 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook beef bacon: Lay beef bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Crumble bacon into bite-sized pieces when cool.
- Prepare broccoli: For crisp-tender broccoli, blanch florets in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain very well and pat dry. Alternatively, roast florets (tossed with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper) at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes until tender with slightly crispy edges. Let cool slightly.
- Prepare remaining ingredients: Chop the red onion. Shred the cheddar cheese. Measure out the dried cranberries and sunflower seeds, ensuring they are ready for assembly.
- Make the creamy dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Assemble the salad: In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooled broccoli florets, crumbled beef bacon, chopped red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Pour about half to two-thirds of the prepared dressing over the ingredients.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss the salad with large tongs or clean hands until all components are evenly coated with the dressing. Add more dressing if desired. For best flavor, let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with extra beef bacon or sunflower seeds if desired.
Notes
- Adjust dressing ingredients to taste.
- Letting the salad rest enhances the flavors.
- Garnish with extra toppings before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg