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Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon Cheddar and Honey Dijon Dressing

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A fresh and crunchy broccoli salad featuring crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a tangy honey Dijon dressing. Perfect as a flavorful side dish for family dinners, potlucks, or BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 300g)
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 100g)
  • 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1/3 cup toasted sunflower seeds or sliced almonds (about 35g)
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins (about 40g)
  • For the Honey Dijon Dressing:
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise (80ml)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place 6 slices of bacon in a cold skillet and turn the heat to medium. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping occasionally until crispy but not burnt. Remove and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces. (Tip: Keep some bacon fat in the pan to add flavor to the dressing if you like a smoky hint.)
  2. Prep the broccoli: Rinse about 4 cups (300g) of broccoli florets under cold water and dry well. If you have a salad spinner, give it a good spin to remove excess moisture.
  3. Chop the onion: Finely dice half a small red onion.
  4. Toast the seeds or nuts: In a dry pan over medium heat, toast 1/3 cup (35g) of sunflower seeds or sliced almonds for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool.
  5. Make the honey Dijon dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup (80ml) mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you want a thinner dressing, add a teaspoon or two of water.
  6. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, chopped bacon, shredded cheddar, diced onion, toasted seeds, and dried cranberries or raisins. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  7. Chill and serve: Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld while keeping the crunch.

Notes

Use fresh, firm broccoli and dry thoroughly to avoid soggy salad. Cook bacon until crispy but not burnt. Toast nuts/seeds carefully to avoid burning. Toss salad gently to keep broccoli and cheese intact. Chill salad before serving for best flavor and texture. For vegetarian or dairy-free versions, omit bacon and cheese or use alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon cheddar salad, honey Dijon dressing, crunchy salad, easy side dish, potluck salad, BBQ side, healthy salad

Find it online: https://avabake.com/crunchy-broccoli-salad-with-bacon-cheddar-easy-homemade-honey-dijon-recipe/