Description
A refreshing and crunchy broccoli salad featuring sharp cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, red onion, bacon, and sunflower kernels, all tossed in a creamy apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect as a side dish for any meal or a light lunch.
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. Mix well to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and fresh cracked black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure that all salad ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill Salad: Cover the salad tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly before serving.
Notes
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use a bowl with a lid instead of plastic wrap to prevent broccoli from becoming soggy and to contain any odors.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or substitute with a plant-based bacon alternative.
- The salad tastes best after chilling for the full hour but can be served sooner if needed.
- Adjust sugar and vinegar amounts to taste for a sweeter or tangier dressing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
