Description
A vibrant and crunchy broccoli salad combining fresh broccoli florets with sharp cheddar, sweet craisins, savory bacon, and sunflower kernels, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups broccoli florets broken into bite size pieces
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅔ cup chopped craisins (dried cranberries)
- ⅔ cup diced red onion
- ⅔ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ½ cup sunflower kernels
Dressing
- 1¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Using an extra large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped craisins, diced red onion, crumbled bacon, and sunflower kernels until evenly mixed.
- Prepare Dressing: In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and fresh cracked black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure all salad ingredients are completely coated with the dressing.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Use a bowl with a lid instead of just plastic wrap to prevent broccoli from becoming soggy and to contain any salad odors.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or substitute with a plant-based bacon alternative.
- Ensure broccoli florets are cut into small, bite-sized pieces for easy eating and better integration with other ingredients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
