The Ultimate Crunchy Broccoli Bacon Salad A BBQ Classic

Classic Crunchy Broccoli Bacon Salad

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:10 Mins

Servings:8 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 cups Fresh Broccoli Florets, trimmed and cut into small pieces
• 8 slices Thick Cut Bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
• 1/2 cup finely diced Red Onion
• 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
• 1/2 cup Roasted Sunflower Seeds
• 1 cup Full Fat Mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Instructions:

• Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon until perfectly crisp. Drain fat and coarsely crumble. Set aside.
• Prep the Broccoli: Wash and dry the broccoli. Cut the florets into very small, uniform, bite sized pieces. Discard the thick stems.
• Dice the Onion: Finely dice the red onion. (Optional: Soak the diced onion in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry to mellow the flavor.)
• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared broccoli florets, diced red onion, dried cranberries, and 2/3 of the sunflower seeds and crumbled bacon. Toss gently.
• Combine Dressing Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper.
• Whisk until Smooth: Vigorously whisk the dressing ingredients until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
• Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the dry salad ingredients in the large bowl.
• Fold Gently: Gently fold the mixture until every piece of broccoli is lightly coated in the dressing.
• Chill (Crucial Step): Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, and ideally for 1 hour, to allow the flavors to meld.
• Serve and Garnish: Just before serving, give the salad a final stir. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle the reserved bacon crumbles and sunflower seeds over the top.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	753 kcal
Protein	8.6 g
Fat	12.6 g
Carbs	36.0 g
Fiber	5.7 g
Sodium	519 mg

Recipe Info

Category	Side Dish
Cuisine	American

Elevating the Humble Broccoli Salad to Main Event Status

Often relegated to the corner of a potluck table, the classic Broccoli Salad deserves star billing. When executed properly, this salad is a masterful symphony of textures and flavors: sharp, sweet, salty, and incredibly crunchy.

We aren't making a meek side dish here; we are perfecting the Best Broccoli Salad Recipe , a rich and substantial dish built for robust gatherings. Its enduring popularity stems from its fantastic make ahead properties and the powerful nutritional punch delivered by the raw florets, which remain beautifully vibrant even after chilling.

The Irresistible Science of the Ultimate Crunch

The foundation of this superb dish is the texture, and achieving the ultimate crunch relies on careful preparation. The raw broccoli (we use about 6 cups, or 600g, from two large heads) must be trimmed of its woody stems and cut into very small, uniform, bite sized pieces.

If the florets are too large, they won't properly integrate with the dressing and become cumbersome to eat. The contrasting chewiness comes from the addition of dried fruit; our preferred choice is the tangy sweetness of broccoli salad with cranberries (1/2 cup/80g), which softens beautifully against the crisp red onion (1/2 cup).

Finally, a generous portion of roasted sunflower seeds provides an essential nutty element and ensures textural success in every bite.

Why Bacon is Non-Negotiable in This Recipe

While some recipes seek lightness, this rich version thrives on deep savory flavor. The inclusion of thick cut bacon (8 slices/150g), cooked until perfectly crisp and crumbled, introduces salt, smokiness, and a much needed fatty element that cuts through the sharpness of the vinegar and the bitterness of the raw broccoli.

This broccoli salad recipe with bacon transforms the dish from merely refreshing to deeply satisfying, ensuring that every spoonful offers a complex interplay of sweet dressing and salty pork.

Pairing Perfection: What to Serve Alongside This Crowd Pleaser

Due to its hearty nature and creamy dressing, this salad pairs best with mains that benefit from its textural contrast. It is the ideal companion to rich, slow cooked meats, such as smoky pulled pork sandwiches, or strongly seasoned grilled chicken breast.

For beverages, avoid heavy drinks; the best choices are crisp, dry rosé or freshly brewed, unsweetened iced tea, which provide a clean palate cleanser that balances the richness of the bacon and the creamy dressing.

Essential Components: Your Ultimate Broccoli Salad Shopping List

Before assembly, success hinges on having all components prepared and ready. The preparation of the individual ingredients is just as important as the mixing process itself.

Preparing Perfect, Bite Sized Broccoli Florets

Start with the freshest broccoli available. After washing, ensure the florets are completely dry any residual water will thin out your dressing prematurely. Crucially, cut the florets down to the size of a large grape or cherry tomato.

This step is non-negotiable for achieving a smooth, integrated eating experience. Once chopped, combine the 6 cups of prepared broccoli with the finely diced red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds in your largest mixing bowl.

Crafting the Creamy & Tangy Miracle Dressing Base

The soul of this dish is the balanced broccoli salad dressing recipe . Unlike many overly sweet versions, ours uses high quality, full fat mayonnaise (1 cup/240 ml) as a rich, binding agent.

We introduce necessary sharpness and acidity using two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, which begins the process of slightly mellowing the raw vegetables during the crucial chilling time. Granulated sugar (1/4 cup/50g) is added to temper the vinegar and enhance the sweetness of the cranberries.

We rely on the mayonnaise base; however, for those seeking a lighter approach, exploring broccoli salad no mayo variations by using half Greek yogurt is an excellent option (see variations below).

The Crunch Factor: Seeds, Nuts, and Dried Fruit Additions

To deliver the promised crunch, we incorporate roasted sunflower seeds, which offer a dense, satisfying chew. We also use 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to provide pockets of concentrated sweetness.

While we add the majority of these ingredients to the initial mix, we reserve about one-third of both the seeds and the crumbled bacon. This reserved portion is scattered over the top immediately before serving, ensuring the final presentation offers maximum visual appeal and an unparalleled burst of freshness and crispness.

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Step-by-Step Assembly: Building Your Masterpiece Salad

The assembly of this salad is straightforward, requiring only 15 minutes of active preparation time, but precision at each stage guarantees exceptional results.

Achieving Crispy Bacon Perfection (The Critical First Step)

The bacon must be cooked until perfectly crisp not chewy or soft. Use your preferred method (pan-fried or baked) to cook the 8 slices of thick cut bacon. Once removed, drain the bacon thoroughly on paper towels to remove all residual grease.

Allowing the bacon to cool completely before crumbling is essential; this preserves its crisp structure. Set the crumbled bacon aside, ready for incorporation.

Whisking the Dressing: Flavor Integration Techniques

In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the full fat mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. The key here is vigor: whisk until the mixture is completely homogeneous, smooth, and, most importantly, until the sugar is fully dissolved. Taste the dressing now.

This allows you to adjust the balance between the tartness of the vinegar and the sweetness of the sugar before it hits the vegetables.

The Critical Step: Combining the Ingredients and Marinating

Pour the prepared dressing over the combined dry ingredients (broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, and two-thirds of the reserved bacon and seeds). Use a large spatula or spoon and employ a gentle folding motion. The goal is to lightly coat every piece of broccoli without crushing or mashing the delicate florets.

Once lightly coated, cover the bowl tightly and move it to the refrigerator. This step is crucial. A minimum of 30 minutes, and ideally a full hour, of chilling allows the flavors to meld, the raw onions and broccoli to soften slightly, and the dressing to thicken slightly, resulting in a perfectly harmonious final salad.

Troubleshooting and Mastering Your Crunchy Broccoli Salad

Mastering this dish involves just a few key techniques. First, always respect the texture. The florets must be small; large chunks feel jarring and won't absorb the flavors. Second, do not skip the chilling time.

This is not merely about serving a cold salad; the marination time allows the acid in the dressing to slightly "pickle" the raw vegetables, mellowing the sharpness of the onion and enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Finally,, remember the reservation rule: save about one-third of your most texturally contrasting ingredients the crispy bacon and seeds to sprinkle over the top just moments before serving. This ensures maximum crunch for those first few bites.

Common Questions Answered by Our Culinary Team

Variations: Making This Your Own (Cheese, Vegan Swaps, Different Proteins)

The structure of the Best Broccoli Salad Recipe is incredibly flexible. For a decadent, savoury twist, try adding one cup of sharp white cheddar cheese shreds to the mix.

If you are aiming for an Easy Healthy Broccoli Salad , you can modify the dressing by learning How To Make Broccoli Salad With Greek Yogurt .

Substitute up to half the mayonnaise (1/2 cup) with plain, full fat Greek yogurt, then reduce the sugar slightly and add a squeeze of lemon juice to maintain acidity. For those avoiding pork, the bacon can be successfully swapped for small, diced pieces of smoked turkey or omitted entirely in favor of 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese for a salty, tangy kick.

Keeping the Crunch: Storage and Prep Ahead Secrets

One of the great advantages of this recipe is its stability. The salad will taste best within 1 to 2 hours of being dressed, as the acidic dressing slowly begins to soften the broccoli.

If you are prepping far in advance (more than 4 hours), we recommend preparing the dry components (broccoli, onion, seeds, cranberries, bacon) and storing them in an airtight container separately from the dressing.

Whisk the dressing 10 minutes before you intend to mix everything together, ensuring the crisp texture holds up perfectly until serving time. The undressed components can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Detailed Nutritional Breakdown (Facts Per Serving)

Based on an estimated yield of eight standard side servings, this salad, using full fat mayonnaise and bacon, provides substantial energy and flavor. The estimated calorie count per serving ranges between 385 400 kcal.

This is driven primarily by the fat content (around 32g), sourced mainly from the mayonnaise and bacon. It provides about 8g of protein and 20g of carbohydrates, and is a strong source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K, proving that even a satisfying, rich salad offers considerable nutritional benefits.

Why Does My Broccoli Salad Taste Too Sweet/Tangy?

Flavor balance is critical in this recipe. The 1/4 cup of sugar is intended to perfectly neutralize the 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, but individual preferences and ingredient brands can vary.

If your final salad tastes too tangy, you likely need more sweetness; try stirring in another teaspoon of sugar or substituting a little honey. Conversely, if the salad is overly sweet, the solution is always acidity or salt.

A small splash of extra apple cider vinegar or a pinch of kosher salt will sharpen the flavors, instantly balancing the richness and sweetness of the dressing base.