Description
A crunchy and flavorful broccoli salad featuring fresh broccoli florets, sharp cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, bacon, and sunflower kernels, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a refreshing side dish.
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, cooked and crumbled bacon, and sunflower kernels. Toss gently to mix evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture and stir thoroughly to coat all the salad ingredients evenly with the creamy dressing.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Chill for 1 hour to let the flavors meld and the broccoli absorb the dressing.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Use a bowl with a lid rather than plastic wrap to keep the broccoli from becoming soggy and to contain odors in the fridge.
- For a bacon substitute, use cooked turkey bacon or omit for a vegetarian option.
- Sunflower kernels add a nice crunch but can be omitted or replaced with chopped nuts if desired.
- Adjust sugar in the dressing to taste depending on your preferred level of sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
