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Crispy Broccoli Bacon Cheddar Salad Recipe with Easy Apple Cider Dressing

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A fresh and crispy salad combining raw broccoli, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a sweet-tangy apple cider dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a quick flavorful lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 strips bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, toasted (optional but recommended)
  • 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place 6 strips of bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until crispy but not burnt. Transfer to paper towels to drain and cool. Once cool, crumble into small pieces.
  2. Prepare the broccoli: Rinse 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets and pat dry. Chop into bite-sized pieces. If using frozen, thaw completely and drain well to avoid sogginess.
  3. Dice the onion: Finely chop 1/4 cup of red onion. For milder flavor, rinse chopped onion under cold water and drain before adding.
  4. Toast the sunflower seeds: In a small dry skillet, toast 1/4 cup sunflower seeds over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl or jar, combine 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified and slightly thickened.
  6. Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, shredded sharp cheddar, diced red onion, toasted sunflower seeds, and raisins or dried cranberries. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  7. Let it rest: For best flavor, let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and broccoli to soften slightly. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Add bacon just before serving for extra crispness. Toast seeds carefully to avoid burning. Let salad rest 10-15 minutes for best flavor. Save bacon fat for other recipes. For dairy-free, omit cheddar or use vegan cheese. Use maple syrup instead of honey for vegan dressing.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, cheddar salad, apple cider dressing, crispy salad, potluck salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/crispy-broccoli-bacon-cheddar-salad-recipe-with-easy-apple-cider-dressing/