Description
Crisp broccoli salad delivers a delightful crunch with sweet and tangy notes from bacon, cheese, and creamy dressing. Hearty ingredients blend perfectly, making this classic Amish dish a crowd-pleasing side that beckons you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups (450 g / 16 ounces) fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 ounces) red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 ounces) shredded or diced cheddar cheese
Optional Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (35 g / 1.2 ounces) sunflower seeds or chopped almonds
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Craft a velvety dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a compact mixing vessel until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency. Fine-tune the flavor profile by adjusting sweetness and tanginess according to personal preference.
- Create a vibrant base in a spacious culinary bowl by combining crisp broccoli florets, thinly sliced ruby-hued onion, sharp aged cheddar cheese fragments, crunchy sunflower kernels, and savory crumbled bacon pieces.
- Lavishly drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetable medley, then carefully fold and toss the ingredients using a gentle rotating motion to ensure each morsel becomes thoroughly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Seal the salad within a covered container and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 60 minutes, permitting the complex flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- When ready to serve, retrieve the chilled salad from the refrigerator and present it as a refreshing side dish, highlighting the delightful textural contrast between crisp vegetables and rich dressing.
Notes
- Customize sweetness by adjusting sugar levels in the dressing, creating a perfect balance between tangy and sweet flavors.
- Toast sunflower seeds briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
- Make the salad vegetarian-friendly by replacing bacon with crispy roasted chickpeas or tempeh bits for protein and texture.
- Prepare the salad ahead of time for meal prep, as it stays fresh and develops deeper flavors when chilled for several hours.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg