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Crispy Ultimate Broccoli Salad Recipe with Easy Honey Mustard Bacon Dressing

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A crunchy, flavorful broccoli salad featuring crispy bacon, sweet raisins, and a tangy honey mustard bacon dressing. Perfect for gatherings and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or slivered almonds, toasted
  • 1/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon bacon drippings (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pan.
  2. Wash and roughly chop broccoli into bite-sized florets (about 4 cups). Dry thoroughly to avoid sogginess.
  3. Toast 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or slivered almonds in the skillet with reserved bacon drippings over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove and let cool.
  4. Finely dice 1/4 cup red onion, crumble the cooled bacon, and shred 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until smooth. Stir in reserved bacon drippings.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, toasted seeds, diced onion, raisins or dried cranberries, and shredded cheddar cheese.
  7. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently with two large spoons until evenly coated, being careful not to bruise the broccoli.
  8. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Notes

For extra tenderness, blanch broccoli for 30 seconds in boiling water then shock in ice water. Toast nuts/seeds for enhanced flavor. Use bacon drippings in dressing for depth. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving. To keep salad crunchy longer, add fresh broccoli or nuts before serving again.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, honey mustard dressing, bacon salad, crunchy salad, easy salad recipe, potluck salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/crispy-ultimate-broccoli-salad-recipe-with-easy-honey-mustard-bacon-dressing/