BROCCOLI SALAD WITH BACON

This is one meal that will actually make you want to eat your vegetables. After all, it’s got bacon in it. And bacon makes everything better. Now, I’m a broccoli lover to begin with, but this salad still exceeded my expectations the first time I made it. There is so much going on in this salad with so many different ingredients. Your taste buds won’t get bored. 

​My recipe is a little different than the traditional broccoli salads you usually see out there. I don’t add any sugar to my dressing because I think that’s a little weird and not the taste I’m looking for. The sweetest thing you’ll find in this salad is the dried cranberries. I’m all for vinegar and mayo though which is one of my favorite combos for creamy salad or pasta dressing (check out my Pickle Pasta recipe for a similar dressing combination). I will always buy the Olive Oil Mayo as it’s lighter, healthier, and has the same amazing flavor.  

As you’ll notice from the pictures, this meal is filled with an assortment of ingredients. Bacon and broccoli of course which are the main event here. But then there’s the supporting ingredients that give this salad its amazing kick of flavor. Red onions, shredded cheese, dried cranberries, garlic salt, sunflower seeds, and the dressing. Every forkful will be loaded with delight. 

This recipe makes a great side dish to almost anything. I happened to make it alongside my Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese and they complimented each other well. Now, all this talk about broccoli and bacon has really opened my appetite. I’m ready to go dig in! Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out in the comments!

RECIPE

COOK TIME: 15 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes
​SERVES: 7 people

---

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups broccoli florets (about 3 heads of broccoli)
• 16 oz package of bacon
• ½ of a red onion, chopped
• ¾ cups dried cranberries
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
• ½ cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup mayo (I use Olive Oil Mayo)
• 1 tbs white vinegar
• ¼ tsp garlic salt

 
INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook bacon in a deep skillet on medium heat until browned and crispy

While bacon is cooking……

1. Wash and dry broccoli. Cut the broccoli into florets using a kitchen scissor
2. Place florets in a large bowl
3. Chop the onions and place into the bowl with the broccoli
4. Once bacon is done cooking, let cool then crumble into small pieces. Add to the bowl with the broccoli and onions
5. In a separate bowl, mix the mayo, vinegar and garlic salt together until well blended.
6. Add the dressing to the bowl with the broccoli, onion and bacon. Mix well
7. Add the shredded cheese, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Mix until everything is covered with dressing
8. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for about an hour if you prefer a cooler salad.

PRODUCTS USED TO MAKE THIS MEAL HAPPEN:
* KitchenAid Kitchen Scissors
* T-Fal Jumbo Saute Pan
* Sterilite Covered Bowl Set
​* Progressive Vegetable Chopper

---