Description
Crisp and zesty broccoli salad brings summer picnic vibes with its crunchy texture and tangy dressing. Packed with fresh ingredients and irresistible flavor, this salad will become your new go-to side dish for gatherings and weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (453 grams) broccoli florets, finely chopped into bite-size pieces
- 8 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1.5 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Craft the creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and black pepper in a small bowl until silky smooth. Allow the mixture to rest and develop flavor intensity while preparing other components.
- Transform broccoli by trimming florets into precise, bite-sized morsels. Consider utilizing stems by carefully peeling and chopping for additional textural intrigue.
- Render bacon until crisp and golden, preferably using oven method for uniform browning. Crumble into delicate fragments after cooling completely.
- Finely dice red onion to provide sharp, aromatic undertones throughout the salad mixture.
- Assemble ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel, combining broccoli pieces, crumbled bacon, red onion fragments, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds.
- Drench the assembled ingredients with prepared dressing, thoroughly coating each component to ensure balanced flavor distribution.
- Refrigerate the salad for 1-2 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify. Before serving, gently toss to reawaken the dressing’s coating and refresh the salad’s appearance.
Notes
- Choose fresh, crisp broccoli with tight, green florets to ensure the best texture and flavor in your salad.
- Blanch broccoli briefly in boiling water for 30 seconds, then immediately plunge into ice water to maintain a vibrant color and slightly soften without losing crunch.
- Toast almonds in a dry skillet for enhanced nutty flavor and extra crispness before adding to the salad.
- Swap mayo with Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for a lighter, healthier version that still provides creamy richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg