Print

Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Sunflower Seeds

crunchy broccoli salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy summer side salad featuring crisp broccoli, smoky bacon, nutty sunflower seeds, and a tangy creamy dressing made with Greek yogurt and apple cider vinegar.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • ½ cup shelled sunflower seeds, toasted lightly
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place 6 slices of bacon in a cold skillet and cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crispy (about 8-10 minutes). Drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prepare the broccoli: Rinse 4 cups of broccoli florets and pat dry thoroughly. Chop into small, uniform pieces.
  3. Toast sunflower seeds: In a dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast ½ cup sunflower seeds until golden and fragrant (2-3 minutes), stirring frequently. Remove and let cool.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli, crispy bacon, toasted sunflower seeds, ¼ cup finely diced red onion, and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the dressing over and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the broccoli soften slightly while keeping its crunch. Give it one last toss before plating.

Notes

For best texture, dry the broccoli thoroughly before mixing. Toast sunflower seeds for extra nuttiness but this step can be skipped if short on time. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors and soften broccoli slightly. Store dressing separately if making ahead to keep salad crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, sunflower seeds, summer side dish, crunchy salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crunchy-broccoli-salad-with-bacon-and-sunflower-seeds-easy-recipe-for-perfect-summer-sides/