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
12 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 finely chopped broccoli (approx. 1 pound)
- 1 cup coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- ½ cup dried cranberries plus extra to taste
- ⅓-½ cup roasted salted sunflower seeds
- ½ cup crumbled bacon (approx. 6-8 slices)
Broccoli Salad Dressing
- 1 cup quality mayo (Duke's is my fav)
- 1 TBSP white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 TBSP fresh lemon juice
- 1 TBSP sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- First whisk together dressing ingredients. Set aside.
- 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.
- 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
- Add broccoli to a large bowl along with finely chopped onion, dried cranberries, and coarsely grated cheddar cheese.
- Add *HALF* the dressing to the bowl and mix well. Chill for an hour. Chill remaining dressing to add before serving, to taste.
- 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.
- After chilling, give the salad a taste and then add additional dressing to taste. Mix well.
- Top with sunflower seeds and crumbled bacon. Toss to combine and enjoy!
Cup of Yum
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
Cholesterol
34mg
(11%)
Sodium
524mg
(22%)
Potassium
312mg
(9%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
589IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
62mg
(69%)
Calcium
144mg
(14%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
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.