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Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Sweet Raisins

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A quick and easy creamy broccoli salad featuring smoky bacon, sweet raisins, sharp cheddar, and a tangy-sweet dressing. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or a flavorful side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 300 grams), chopped bite-size
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup sweet raisins (golden raisins recommended)
  • 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 115 grams)
  • 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds (optional)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Heat skillet over medium heat. Add bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain. When cool, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prepare the broccoli: Wash and chop broccoli florets into about 1-inch chunks. Dry thoroughly with a salad spinner or clean towel.
  3. Dice the onion: Finely chop half a small red onion. Optionally soak diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes and drain to reduce sharpness.
  4. Toast sunflower seeds (optional): In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1/4 cup sunflower seeds for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, stirring frequently.
  5. Make the dressing: Whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Toss the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, crumbled bacon, raisins, diced onion, shredded cheddar, and toasted sunflower seeds. Pour dressing over salad and gently toss to coat evenly without overdressing.
  7. Chill before serving: Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Salad tastes better the next day.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad to keep broccoli crisp. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Bacon fat can be reserved to roast broccoli for extra flavor. Blanch broccoli briefly if softer texture is preferred. Crumble bacon only after it cools to avoid wilting salad.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, creamy salad, bacon salad, sweet raisins, potluck salad, easy salad recipe, side dish, summer salad

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/creamy-broccoli-salad-with-bacon-and-sweet-raisins-easy-recipe/