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Fresh Sweet and Tangy Broccoli Crunch Salad Recipe with Bacon and Cranberries for Easy Healthy Lunch

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A fresh, crunchy broccoli salad with smoky bacon, sweet-tart cranberries, and a tangy dressing that makes a satisfying and healthy lunch or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (about 300 grams), chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped finely
  • ½ cup dried cranberries (about 60 grams)
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds or slivered almonds (optional), toasted
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (120 ml), preferably full-fat
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon honey (15 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5 ml)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Place 6 slices of bacon in a cold skillet and turn the heat to medium. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until crispy but not burnt. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, chop into small pieces.
  2. While the bacon cooks, wash and dry about 4 cups (300 grams) of broccoli florets. Chop into bite-sized pieces, including some stem for crunch.
  3. Finely chop ¼ cup of red onion. If raw onion is too strong, soak in cold water for 5 minutes then drain.
  4. If using sunflower seeds or slivered almonds, toast ¼ cup in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until lightly browned and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, combine broccoli, chopped bacon, dried cranberries, diced onion, and toasted seeds or nuts. Pour dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated.
  7. Optional: Cover and chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors while maintaining crunch.

Notes

Start with the recommended amount of dressing to avoid soggy broccoli. Use fresh, firm broccoli for best crunch. Cook bacon in a cold pan to render fat evenly. Chop bacon after cooling to prevent greasiness. Toast seeds or nuts separately to enhance flavor. For potlucks, add bacon and crunchy toppings just before serving to keep salad crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, healthy lunch, sweet and tangy salad, cranberry salad, easy salad recipe, crunchy salad

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/fresh-sweet-and-tangy-broccoli-crunch-salad-recipe-with-bacon-and-cranberries-for-easy-healthy-lunch/