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Creamy Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe with Crunchy Sunflower Seeds Easy and Best

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A creamy, crunchy, and smoky broccoli salad featuring crisp bacon, roasted sunflower seeds, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for quick meals, potlucks, and BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • ½ cup roasted unsalted sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
  2. Rinse broccoli florets under cold water, drain thoroughly, and pat dry with a towel or use a salad spinner. Chop into small, uniform pieces.
  3. Finely dice the red onion. For milder flavor, rinse diced onion under cold water and drain well.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until creamy and balanced.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, crumbled bacon, sunflower seeds, diced red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese. Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and the salad firm up before serving.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad to avoid sogginess. Dry broccoli thoroughly for best texture. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving for optimal flavor. Save some sunflower seeds to add fresh before serving to maintain crunch. Bacon should be crispy but slightly chewy to balance textures.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, creamy salad, sunflower seeds, easy salad, potluck recipe, BBQ side dish, quick salad

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/creamy-broccoli-bacon-salad-recipe-with-crunchy-sunflower-seeds-easy-and-best/