This Broccoli Salad is a refreshing blend of fresh, crunchy ingredients. Featuring crisp broccoli, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, savory bacon, and sharp cheddar, all tied together with a creamy mayo dressing. Perfect for summer, it's a versatile side that pairs well with grilled meats, seafood, and even sandwiches. It's more than a dish; it's a vibrant celebration of flavor and texture, making every meal a delightful experience.
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To create this Broccoli Salad, you'll need fresh produce, various crunchy toppings, and a creamy mayo dressing. Here's a breakdown of each component:
- Broccoli: The centerpiece of the salad, providing a fresh and satisfying crunch with its crisp and mildly earthy taste.
- Red Onion: Adds a pungent yet slightly sweet zing, enhancing the salad with its zest and vibrant color.
- Sharp Cheddar: Offers a rich, savory flavor, perfectly complementing the broccoli with its creamy and tangy notes.
- Toasted and Salted Sunflower Seeds: Introduces a nutty crunch, creating a delightful textural contrast within the salad.
- Dried Cranberries: Bring a balance of sweet and tart flavors, offering fruity bursts that offset the savory ingredients.
- Bacon Bits: Contribute a savory and smoky dimension, infusing the salad with a rich and indulgent taste.
- Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the dressing, adding a rich and smooth texture.
- Vinegar (Apple Cider or White): Injects a tangy and slightly acidic element, balancing the mayo's richness with a bright note.
- Brown or White Sugar: Delivers subtle sweetness, harmonizing with the tart cranberries and vinegar.
- Black Pepper Powder: Sprinkles in warm, peppery flavors, enhancing the salad's overall taste profile.
How to Make Broccoli Salad at Home?
Start your culinary adventure with our Broccoli Salad recipe, brought to life through vivid photos and video. This guide will walk you through preparing the delicious dressing and assembling the salad with ease.
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Broccoli Salad
Enjoy the perfect mix of crisp broccoli, rich cheddar, and crunchy toppings like sunflower seeds, cranberries, and bacon in this Broccoli Salad. Tossed in a creamy dressing, it's a nutritious, flavorful side for summer meals. Pair it with your favorite grilled meats, seafood, or sandwiches for a complete taste experience.
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Ingredients
For Broccoli Salad Dressing
- 1½ cup Mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp Vinegar, apple cider or white
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar, or white sugar
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder, or adjust to taste
- Salt, to taste
For Broccoli Salad
- 6 cup Broccoli, cut florets into bite-sized pieces
- ½ Red Onion, medium size
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar
- ½ cup Sunflower Seeds, toasted and salted
- ⅔ cup Dried Cranberries
- ½ cup Bacon bits
Instructions
Preparing Broccoli Salad Dressing
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and salt. Blend until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved. This ensures a consistent and creamy dressing. Set this aside for later use.
Preparing Broccoli Salad
- Start by thoroughly rinsing the broccoli heads under running water to remove any dirt or impurities. Shake off the excess water and allow them to air-dry, or pat them dry with a paper towel for optimal texture. Then, trim the tough stems and cut the florets into bite-sized pieces for easier eating and uniform flavor in every bite. Place these florets in a large bowl.
- Proceed by finely slicing the red onion, adding a vibrant color and a zesty flavor to the salad. Add these slices to the bowl with the broccoli florets.
- Now, incorporate the sharp cheddar, toasted and salted sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and bacon bits into the bowl. This combination of ingredients will provide a delightful mix of creamy, crunchy, and sweet flavors, enhancing the overall taste and texture of the salad.
- Finally, pour the prepared broccoli salad dressing over the ingredients in the bowl and gently mix to ensure even coating. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and enhance the overall taste and texture.
Serving
- Enjoy this Broccoli Salad as a versatile side, perfect with a variety of main courses. For more pairing ideas, refer to our detailed serving suggestions section.
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Chef's Notes and Tips
Here are some valuable tips to make perfect Broccoli Salad:
Preparation and Pre-Processing:
- Freshness of Ingredients: Using the freshest ingredients possible, especially the broccoli, is key. Fresh, high-quality ingredients will always result in a better-tasting salad.
- Selecting the Best Broccoli: Look for broccoli with firm, tightly packed florets and a rich green hue. Yellow or limp florets are a sign of age and should be avoided for optimal freshness.
- Optional Blanching or Steaming for Texture: Blanch or steam the broccoli for 1-2 minutes to slightly soften and brighten its color. Be cautious to maintain a crisp-tender texture, as overcooking can result in mushy broccoli.
Flavor and Texture Enhancement:
- Achieving Balanced Flavors: Fine-tune the dressing by adjusting sweeteners, vinegar, and seasonings. The goal is to strike a perfect balance that complements the broccoli and other ingredients without overpowering them.
- Strategic Dressing Application: Optinally dress the salad in stages, starting with a light coating. This method ensures every element is evenly dressed without becoming soggy. More dressing can always be added, but it can't be taken away.
- Encouraging Culinary Creativity: Don't hesitate to experiment with different ingredients. Consider adding diced apples for sweetness, sliced almonds for crunch, or swapping in a yogurt-based dressing for a healthier twist.
- Exploring Dressing Options: Apart from the traditional mayo-based dressing, alternatives like ranch, coleslaw dressing, or a simple olive oil and vinegar vinaigrette can offer a range of flavors. Each dressing choice can transform the salad's character, from rich and creamy to light and zesty.
Final Touches and Serving:
- Room Temperature Serving: Consider serving the salad at room temperature to maximize flavor. Chilled salads can sometimes mute the flavors of the ingredients. Taking it out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before serving can make a noticeable difference.
- Prep in Advance: If you're pressed for time, you can cut the broccoli and prepare other ingredients a day in advance. However, combine them with the dressing only a short while before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.
- Customize to Dietary Needs: If catering to specific dietary preferences or restrictions, feel free to substitute or omit ingredients. For example, use vegan cheese and omit bacon for a vegetarian version, or use a sugar substitute for a lower-calorie dressing.
- Dressing Consistency: If the dressing is too thick, thin it with a little milk or water. The dressing should be pourable but not too runny, to coat the broccoli well without pooling at the bottom.
Nutrition Info
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 747kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 60g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 31g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 898mg | Potassium: 792mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1493IU | Vitamin C: 182mg | Calcium: 269mg | Iron: 2mg
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
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Serving Suggestions
Discover the versatility of Broccoli Salad with these top serving ideas, perfect for enhancing any meal or occasion.
- As a Side Dish: Its compatibility with a variety of main courses, especially grilled or roasted meats like chicken, steak, or fish, makes it a versatile choice for barbecues and outdoor gatherings.
- Salmon, Tuna, or Tilapia: Whether you opt for grilled tuna, baked salmon, or tilapia, these fish choices are excellent with Broccoli Salad. The healthy fats in salmon and tuna, as well as the mild flavor of tilapia, complement the salad's fresh flavors.
- Steak: The hearty and rich taste of a well-seasoned steak alongside the light and refreshing Broccoli Salad creates a satisfying and balanced meal.
- With Sandwiches and Burgers: The salad's crisp and refreshing nature is a perfect complement to the richness of sandwiches and burgers, offering a healthier alternative to traditional sides.
- Potluck or Picnic: Its suitability for being served cold, ease of transport, and ability to be prepared in large quantities make it an ideal option for shared meals like potlucks and picnics.
- Part of a Buffet Spread: Its vibrant color and texture can add variety to a buffet spread, complementing other dishes and making it visually appealing.
- As a Starter: Serving it as a small portion at the beginning of a meal, particularly in formal or multi-course dining settings, can be an elegant way to start the dining experience.
Storage Suggestions
To keep your Broccoli Salad fresh and flavorful, store it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Here are some key points to ensure optimal freshness:
- Airtight Storage: Immediately transfer the salad to an airtight container or tightly wrap it in plastic. This step is vital to preserve its texture and prevent external odors from affecting its taste.
- Consistent Cool Temperature: Always keep the salad in a consistently cool part of your fridge to maintain its freshness over time.
- Dressing Management: For best results, lightly dress the salad initially and keep extra dressing aside. Add more dressing just before serving to avoid sogginess.
- Separate Crunchy Ingredients: If your salad includes nuts, seeds, or bacon bits, store these separately. Add them to the salad right before serving to retain their crisp texture.
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