Broccoli Bacon Salad
Broccoli Bacon Salad is a terrific side dish option for hot summer dinners or potlucks. Make it ahead, chill it down, and it’s ready when you want it and the leftovers are a great snack. I’m not generally a fan of raw broccoli, but a quick blanch in boiling water takes some of the sandy texture away and leaves all the deliciousness. Bacon, of course, levels up everything and adds the touch of saltiness needed to compliment the broccoli. Dried fruit, nuts, and seeds add the chewy, sweet, crunch that rounds out the dish perfectly. Customize with some fresh fruit or berries and even cheese depending on your taste. Whatever you include in the salad, make sure everything is chopped small and the broccoli is cut into 1/2″ – 1″ bite size pieces.
I’ve made different Broccoli Bacon Salad for years. They’ve ranged from “meh” to good and everything in between. This one is my favorite and it hits all the notes. It can be made healthier by substituting plain yogurt for the mayo and skip the dried fruit if you’re limiting sugar. I hope you add this to your summer salad routine. It’s so easy to whip up and tends to be a winner. Eat alone for a light lunch, pair it with our favorite peanut curry flank steak, or some grilled chicken.
Broccoli Bacon Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 4½ cups Broccoli cut into small florets, ½-1"
- 5 slices Bacon, cut into ½" pieces cooked until crisp
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ⅓ cup roasted sunflower seeds
Salad Dressing
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise or yogurt
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sugar or sugar alternative
- zest of 1 lemon
- zest of ½ orange
- 1-2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tbsp poppy seeds
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Once water is boiling, fill a large bowl with cold water and 1 cup of ice cubes.
- Cook the bacon until crisp and drain on paper towels.
- Add broccoli to the boiling water and blanch for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until bright green and barely softened. Drain broccoli and transfer to the bowl of ice water. Let sit until cold then drain and place on paper towels.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine dressing ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Place all salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl and combine with dressing, folding in a little bit at a time, increasing to your liking.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Toss again before serving.
