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The Ultimate Creamy & Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cranberries

A close-up of creamy broccoli salad topped with crispy bacon pieces and dried cranberries.
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You will make this easy broccoli salad often. It combines crisp raw broccoli, savory bacon, sweet cranberries, and crunchy seeds in a simple, creamy dressing perfect for potlucks or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads fresh broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the mix-ins: Cook the bacon until crisp, then crumble and set aside to cool. Chop the red onion finely. Cut the broccoli into small, uniform florets.
  2. Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and red onion.
  3. Make the creamy dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  4. Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  5. Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to blend and helps the broccoli absorb some moisture without losing its crunch.
  6. Serve cold as a side dish for your next gathering.

Notes

  • For the best crunch, chop the broccoli florets small and try to use only the tops, avoiding thick stems.
  • You can substitute goat cheese or shredded cheddar for a different flavor profile.
  • Make this a make ahead salad by preparing the dressing and chopping the vegetables the day before. Combine everything 1-2 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/easy-creamy-broccoli-salad-recipe/