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Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Bacon
4.9 from 33 votes

Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Bacon

This quick and easy Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Bacon is a Spring and Summer staple for parties, gatherings, barbecues, and picnics galore!

Prep Time
12 mins
Cook Time
6 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 18 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 369 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 6 cups broccoli approx. 1 pound, finely chopped
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese coarsely grated; sharp
  • ¼ cup onion red, finely chopped
  • ½ cup dried cranberries plus extra to taste
  • ⅓-½ cup sunflower seeds roasted, salted
  • ½ cup Bacon approx. 6-8 slices, crumbled
Broccoli Salad Dressing
  • 1 cup mayonnaise Duke's is my fav, quality
  • 1 TBSP white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 TBSP lemon juice fresh
  • 1 TBSP sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. First whisk together dressing ingredients. Set aside.
  2. NOTE: The dressing for these salads is traditonally sweetened a bit more. Feel free to sweeten to taste or add extra dried cranberries for sweetness. For a tangy broccoli salad you can replace 1/4 cup of the mayo with sour cream. My biggest tip would be to use a quality mayo like Duke's, Hellman's, or even homemade.
  3. Next chop broccoli into small bite-sized pieces. I like to include around 5 cups of florets with a cup or so of chopped broccoli stalk
  4. Add broccoli to a large bowl along with finely chopped onion, dried cranberries, and coarsely grated cheddar cheese.
  5. Add *HALF* the dressing to the bowl and mix well. Chill for an hour. Chill remaining dressing to add before serving, to taste.
  6. I love to use fresh ultra-cripsy bacon for this salad. Cook bacon via your favorite method (pan-frying, baking, or air fryer) while the salad chills then add to the salad just before serving for best results. Cook time will vary based on method chosen.
  7. After chilling, give the salad a taste and then add additional dressing to taste. Mix well.
  8. Top with sunflower seeds and crumbled bacon. Toss to combine and enjoy!

Notes

  • Want to veg things up even further? Shredded carrots make a tasty mix-in! Chopped red grapes are a tasty optional mix-in as well as sliced almonds or pepitas.
  • Nutrition Facts below are estimated for both salad and dressing using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories 369kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 9g (18%) Fat 31g (48%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 34mg (11%) Sodium 524mg (22%) Potassium 312mg (7%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 589IU (12%) Vitamin C 62mg (69%) Calcium 144mg (14%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 369

% Daily Value*

Calories 369kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 9g 18%
Fat 31g 48%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 524mg 22%
Potassium 312mg 7%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 589IU 12%
Vitamin C 62mg 69%
Calcium 144mg 14%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.