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Easy Crunchy Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe with Sweet Vinegar Dressing for Perfect Summer Sides

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A simple, quick, and delicious broccoli bacon salad with a perfectly balanced sweet vinegar dressing, ideal for summer sides and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, raw and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 to 8 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds, toasted (optional but recommended)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup olive oil or neutral oil like canola
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Place 6 to 8 slices of bacon in a cold skillet, then turn the heat to medium. Cook, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and browned—about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove bacon with tongs and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  2. While the bacon cooks, rinse 4 cups of broccoli florets under cold water and pat dry. Chop into bite-sized pieces if needed. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Finely chop 1 small red onion and add it to the broccoli.
  4. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast ½ cup sunflower seeds for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly golden. Remove from heat and let cool before adding to the salad.
  5. In a small jar or bowl, combine ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup olive oil, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Seal the jar and shake vigorously or whisk until the sugar dissolves and the dressing emulsifies. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. Add the crumbled bacon, toasted sunflower seeds, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, and ½ cup raisins (or dried cranberries) into the mixing bowl with broccoli and onion. Pour the dressing over everything.
  7. Using salad tongs or two large spoons, toss the salad gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients and coat evenly with dressing. Be careful not to mash the broccoli.
  8. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the dressing to soak in and flavors to meld. Give it one last gentle toss before plating.

Notes

For best crunch, use raw broccoli or blanch briefly if preferred. Toast sunflower seeds for extra flavor. Make dressing fresh and toss salad just before serving to avoid sogginess. Adjust sweetness or tanginess of dressing to taste. Bacon can be baked as an alternative to pan-frying.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, summer side dish, crunchy salad, sweet vinegar dressing, easy salad recipe, quick side dish

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/easy-crunchy-broccoli-bacon-salad-recipe-with-sweet-vinegar-dressing-for-perfect-summer-sides/