Description
This crunchy and flavorful Broccoli Salad features fresh broccoli florets, sharp cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, red onion, bacon, and sunflower kernels all tossed in a creamy and tangy dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or light snack, it’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead to let the flavors meld in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups broccoli florets, broken into bite size pieces
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅔ cup chopped craisins (dried cranberries)
- ⅔ cup diced red onion
- ⅔ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ½ cup sunflower kernels
Dressing
- 1¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare salad ingredients: Using an extra large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped craisins, diced red onion, cooked and crumbled bacon, and sunflower kernels. Gently toss to mix evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and fresh cracked black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and stir thoroughly to ensure all the salad ingredients are completely coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.
Notes
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- It is recommended to store the broccoli salad in a bowl with a lid rather than covering with plastic wrap to keep the broccoli crisp and prevent sogginess.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon and consider adding toasted nuts for extra crunch.
- The salad can be prepared a day in advance to enhance the flavor, just add the sunflower kernels right before serving to keep them crunchy.
- You can substitute craisins with dried cherries or raisins if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
