Delicious Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cranberries Recipe
This Best Broccoli Salad is a delightful combination of crisp broccoli florets, crunchy bacon, sweet dried cranberries, and toasted almonds, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of sugar. Perfect as a refreshing side dish, this salad is easy to prepare and perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a healthy lunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Salad
- 1⅓ lbs broccoli florets, finely chopped into bite-size pieces
- 8 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped
- ⅓ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the finely chopped broccoli florets, crispy chopped bacon, chopped red onion, sweetened dried cranberries, and sliced almonds.
- Toss with dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture and gently toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate the salad for 1 to 2 hours. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld and the salad to develop its refreshing taste.
- Serve: Remove the salad from the refrigerator, toss it again to redistribute the dressing, and serve chilled as a perfect side dish.
Notes
- For best texture, chop broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or dried cherries for a different flavor profile.
- To make this salad vegetarian, omit the bacon or replace with a crispy plant-based alternative.
- Make the salad a few hours ahead to allow flavors to develop, but avoid making it more than a day in advance to preserve freshness.
- Add a splash of lemon juice to the dressing for an extra citrusy zing if desired.
