Broccoli Bacon Salad
It’s a cliché, but clichés exist for a reason: bacon makes everything better. Case in point? Broccoli Bacon Salad. You’re going to eat your veggies with gusto when they’re paired with crispy, smoky bacon, sweet-tart cranberries, and a creamy dressing that pulls it all together.
Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Bacon Cranberry Salad Recipe
A Classic (and Family Favorite). This broccoli bacon salad is a play on the one my aunt used to bring every year to our family reunions. It’s a little bit naughty (ahem, bacon), a little bit nice (all that broccoli; also bacon is pretty nice), and perfect for any cookout, barbecue, or even holiday.
Lightened Up, But Still Delish. My aunt’s original broccoli salad recipe called for a creamy mayo- and sugar-based dressing, but I use a Greek yogurt base, which is equally creamy, with a bit of tang that adds another dimension to the flavor.
Excellent for Making Ahead. This broccoli cranberry salad with bacon is perfect for a party because you can make it a day in advance to get a head start. Add the dressing and the broccoli softens a bit; dress it just before serving and it stays tender-crisp.
Big Flavor and Texture. Broccoli bacon salad has lots of interesting flavors and textures, from the crunchy broccoli and toasty sunflower seeds to the chewy cranberries, smoky, crisp bacon, and creamy dressing. You want variety? This salad delivers!
Ingredients:
For the Salad
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon cooked
- 8 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets about 1 pound
- 5 small green onions or 3 large white and green parts, thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup roasted sunflower seeds or toasted pepitas
For the Dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt I used non-fat
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
5 minutes
Total Time:
25 minutes
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