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Crunchy Bacon Broccoli Salad Recipe with Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds for Easy Healthy Meals

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A quick and easy crunchy bacon broccoli salad featuring tart cranberries, nutty sunflower seeds, and a creamy mayo-based dressing. Perfect for gatherings or a light, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Lay 6 slices of bacon flat and cook for 4-6 minutes per side or until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain and crumble once cool.
  2. Prepare the broccoli: Rinse 4 cups of broccoli florets under cold water. Pat dry thoroughly with a kitchen towel or use a salad spinner. Chop into bite-sized pieces if needed.
  3. Toast the sunflower seeds: In a dry pan over medium heat, toast 1/3 cup sunflower seeds for 2-3 minutes, stirring often until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. Chop the onion: Finely dice 1/4 cup red onion. If raw onion is too strong, soak chopped onions in cold water for 10 minutes then drain before adding.
  5. Mix the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, and salt and pepper to taste until smooth and creamy.
  6. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine broccoli, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, toasted sunflower seeds, and chopped onion. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is coated evenly.
  7. Optional cheese addition: If using, sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese on top and toss lightly. Let the salad sit for 10 minutes for a melty texture.
  8. Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Give it a quick toss before plating.

Notes

Toast sunflower seeds and cook bacon until just crispy for best texture. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. For dairy-free, omit cheese or use dairy-free alternatives. For vegan, substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon and use vegan mayo.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, cranberry salad, sunflower seeds, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, crunchy salad

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/crunchy-bacon-broccoli-salad-recipe-with-cranberries-and-sunflower-seeds-for-easy-healthy-meals/