Broccoli Bacon Salad with Creamy Tangy Dressing
This Broccoli Bacon Salad is a crisp, creamy side dish that combines smoky bacon, crunchy broccoli, sweet cranberries, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for cookouts, family dinners, or meal prep, it’s simple enough for beginners and guaranteed to disappear fast!
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 10 –11 strips bacon cooked and chopped
- 2 heads broccoli about 1½ pounds, 5–6 cups florets
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup roasted salted sunflower seeds
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup chopped red onion or more to taste
For the Dressing
- 1¼ cups Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Bake bacon in the oven until crisp. Cool on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk Miracle Whip or mayo, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, mustard, and cayenne until smooth.
- Chop broccoli florets into small, bite-size pieces. Peel and dice stems if desired, and add them to the mix.
- Add broccoli, cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar, onion, and most of the bacon into the bowl with dressing.
- Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle remaining bacon on top for garnish.
- Chill for 20–30 minutes, or serve immediately at room temperature.
Notes
For the best Broccoli Bacon Salad, chop florets small so dressing coats every bite. Try swapping cranberries for grapes or apples for a fruity twist.
Nutrition (per serving, estimated):
Calories: 320
Protein: 11g
Carbohydrates: 21g
Fat: 22g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 510mg
Calories: 320
Protein: 11g
Carbohydrates: 21g
Fat: 22g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 510mg