Craving a quick, vibrant, and delicious side dish that's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser? Look no further! This Easy Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Bacon is a blend of fresh, crunchy, and savory flavors, all ready in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for a last-minute dinner addition or a nutritious lunch prep!
Who knew combining broccoli and red bell pepper with the rich, savory taste of bacon could be such a hit? This salad brings together an amazing mix of flavors.
Add in some sweet, dried cranberries (or any dried fruit you've got on hand) and each bite becomes a wonderfully unexpected fusion of tastes. It's a super adaptable dish, too. Feel free to swap in your favorite nuts or seeds to add that perfect crunch.
And to finish the salad in a glorious way, this homemade dressing is creamy yet has a bit of tang to it, bringing a whole new level of flavor. This recipe is easy to whip up, but it's got an elegant touch that works great as a side dish or even on its own. Perfect for adding a little something special to your dinner parties or for spicing up your weekly meals.
The recipe is part of my growing collection of Salads where you can find an abundance of recipes to make all year round. If you enjoy colorful combinations of vegetables, check out this Green Bean And Potato Salad, and if you like salads made with mayo, here you have a Classic Pineapple Chicken Salad, or my favorite version of Cranberry Pecans Chicken Salad. For the holidays, I also recommend this Romanian Beef Salad, a unique way to combine comforting root vegetables with cooked beef, especially for Christmas when this salad is very popular.
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💝 Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Versatility: Swap in different nuts, seeds, or dried fruits to make it your own. It's a recipe that invites creativity!
- Flavorful Balance: The combination of sweet, savory, and tangy ingredients ensures a flavor-packed experience in every bite.
- Effortless Elegance: It looks and tastes gourmet but is incredibly easy to make – perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself.
📝 Salad Ingredients
This crunchy broccoli salad is made with easy to find ingredients in the grocery stores. Check the recipe card for full amounts and instructions:
- Broccoli Heads: The star of the salad, raw broccoli adds a crunchy texture and is packed with nutrients like vitamin C and fiber. It's best when fresh and bright green.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds a sweet and slightly tangy flavor, enhancing the salad's color and nutritional value. Red bell peppers are high in vitamins A and C. Yellow or orange bell peppers for a similar sweet flavor, or green for a more bitter note.
- Bacon: Provides a smoky, savory element that contrasts well with the sweet and tangy components. It also adds a satisfying crunch. Smoked turkey can be used for a leaner option.
- Unsalted Sunflower Seeds: These add a nutty flavor and extra crunch. Sunflower seeds are a good source of vitamin E and selenium. Pecans, walnuts, pine nuts or pumpkin seeds, each adding their unique flavor and texture and work well in this salad.
- Dried Cranberries: Bring a chewy texture and a burst of tart sweetness, complementing the savory ingredients. Raisins can be used for a sweeter profile or tart dried cherries for a sharper tang.
- Red Onion: Offers a sharp, pungent flavor that adds depth and a slight bite, balancing the salad's sweetness. Green onions go well if you are looking for a milder taste and a pop of color.
- Mayo: Acts as the base for the creamy dressing, adding richness and helping to meld the flavors together. Replace part of the mayo with plain greek yogurt for a lighter version of this dish.
- White Wine Vinegar: Gives the dressing a bright acidity, cutting through the richness of the mayo. Use apple cider vinegar for a fruitier tang or lemon juice.
- Sugar: Just a touch sweetens the dressing, enhancing the overall flavor balance. Honey, maple syrup or agave syrup can be used as a natural sweetener.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste, these enhance all the other flavors in the salad.
👩🍳 How To Make This Broccoli Cranberry Salad Recipe
Step 1. Begin by chopping the fresh broccoli florets and red bell pepper into bite-sized pieces, and cook and chop the bacon.
Step 2. In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, bell pepper and bacon bits. Add the thinly sliced red onion and sprinkle in your choice of sunflower seeds or nuts, along with the dried fruit.
Step 3. In a separate small bowl, make the broccoli salad dressing: whisk together mayo, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to create the dressing. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well coated.
Step 4. Refrigerate the salad until you're ready to serve.
💡 Expert Tips
For an extra flavor kick, lightly toast the nuts or seeds before adding them to the salad. Also, the salty bacon and the mayo flavor the salad enough, so you do not need to add a lot of salt.
🍽️ How To Serve This Salad
This salad is a perfect side dish and pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, or fish. It's also a fantastic addition to a picnic or potluck spread. A favorite for the holidays, this broccoli salad is perfect especially for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Here are some more ideas:
- Quinoa or Couscous: These grains offer a light, fluffy texture and a neutral taste that balances the salad's richness. They can be flavored with herbs or a light vinaigrette. Check out my recipe for Pearl Couscous With Almonds And Raisins.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Their natural sweetness and soft texture provide a lovely contrast to the crispiness and savory notes of the salad.
- Pasta Salad: A simple pasta salad, perhaps with a light olive oil dressing and some fresh herbs, can complement the flavors without overpowering the broccoli salad. Or try this Easy Ham and Pasta Salad, perfect for a summer picnic.
- Rice Pilaf: A subtly flavored rice pilaf can act as a gentle backdrop, allowing the flavors of the broccoli salad to shine.
- Coleslaw: For a creamy and crunchy combination, pairing the broccoli salad with coleslaw can be delightful.
❄️ Storage Instructions
Keep the salad fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will stay good for up to 3 days. If it's a bit dry when you're ready to enjoy it again, just mix in a little extra mayo or a splash of vinegar to refresh the flavors. For longer-lasting freshness, consider adding the bacon and dressing right before serving.
🙋♀️ Recipe faqs
Absolutely! It's a great choice for meal prep and can be prepared a day ahead, ensuring flavors meld beautifully.
While dried fruit adds a unique texture and concentrated flavor, fresh fruits like grapes or diced apples can also be a delightful addition for a fresher, juicier twist.
🥗 More Salad Recipes To Love
📖 Recipe
Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe With Cranberries And Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 medium broccoli heads cleaned and chopped bite size
- 1 red bell pepper chopped bite size
- ½ pound bacon cooked and chopped
- ¼ cup unsalted sunflower seeds (pecans or walnuts)
- ½ cup dried cranberries (raisins or tart dried cherries)
- 1 medium red onion cut julienne or 2-3 medium green onions
- ½ cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt and pepper to your taste
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli, red bell pepper, and bacon. Toss them in a salad bowl.
- Slice the onion julienne and add it to the bowl.
- Add sunflower seeds or nuts and the dried fruit.
- Make a dressing out of mayo, salt, pepper, sugar, and white wine vinegar.
- Pour the dressing over the other ingredients and toss to coat.
- Refrigerate until ready to eat.
Notes
- Chill the salad before serving it: This salad tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld. For best results, let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
- Adapt it to your likes: Feel free to swap out ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand. This recipe is very forgiving and adaptable.
- Texture Contrast: For added crunch, consider roasting the nuts or seeds before adding them to the salad.
- Serving Suggestion: This salad is a fantastic side for BBQs, picnics, or as a refreshing addition to a hearty meal.
- Healthier Alternatives: To reduce calories, you can use a low-fat mayo or even substitute part of it with Greek yogurt.
- Storage: While best enjoyed fresh, this salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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