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Crispy Broccoli Salad with Bacon Best Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

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A quick and easy salad combining crunchy broccoli, smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and a sweet-tangy homemade honey mustard dressing. Perfect for potlucks and gatherings, this salad is fresh, flavorful, and addictive.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 to 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or sliced almonds, toasted (optional but recommended)
  • 1/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place bacon strips in a cold skillet and turn the heat to medium. Cook, turning occasionally, until crispy and browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prepare the broccoli: Rinse the broccoli well and cut into small, even florets—about 4 cups. Pat dry thoroughly to keep the salad crisp.
  3. Chop the red onion: Finely dice about 1/4 cup red onion. If raw onion is too strong, soak diced pieces in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain.
  4. Toast the seeds/nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or sliced almonds for 3-4 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  5. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste until smooth and glossy.
  6. Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, toss broccoli florets, crispy bacon pieces, shredded cheddar, diced red onion, toasted seeds, and dried cranberries or raisins.
  7. Dress the salad: Pour the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is coated evenly. Add dressing just before serving if making ahead to keep broccoli crunchy.
  8. Chill or serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld or serve immediately for a crisp, fresh salad.

Notes

Pat broccoli dry thoroughly to keep salad crisp. Cook bacon low and slow for best texture. Toast nuts/seeds carefully to avoid burning. Add dressing just before serving if making ahead to maintain crunch. Can swap ingredients for dietary preferences or seasonal variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, honey mustard dressing, crispy salad, potluck recipe, easy salad, cheddar cheese salad

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crispy-broccoli-salad-with-bacon-best-homemade-honey-mustard-dressing-recipe/