Description

A delightful Southern-style broccoli salad featuring a creamy dressing, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a perfect balance of sweetness from raisins and tangy apple cider vinegar. This salad is easy to prepare, served chilled, and makes a fantastic side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Base

10 cups broccoli florets (Use raw for stronger flavor or blanch for crunch.)
½ cup golden raisins (Can be swapped for cranberries.)
1 cup coarsely grated cheddar cheese (Substitute with dairy-free cheese for a vegan option.)
½ cup roasted, salted sunflower seeds (Pepitas or chopped nuts can be used.)
¼ cup red onion, finely chopped (Green onions can be swapped.)

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise (Greek yogurt can be used for a lighter twist.)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (White vinegar can be used as a substitute.)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar (Adjust for preferred sweetness.)

Topping

8 ounces bacon (Turkey bacon is a leaner alternative.)

Instructions

Preparation: Gather all ingredients and prepare a large pot of salted water for blanching the broccoli.
Blanch Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 1 minute. Immediately transfer the florets to ice water to halt cooking and cool them down, preserving crunch and color.
Cook Bacon: While broccoli cools, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 7-8 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels, then crumble once cooled.
Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, finely chopped red onion, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar. Stir the mixture until smooth and well blended.
Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooled broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, golden raisins, and roasted salted sunflower seeds to the dressing. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the dressing.
Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Serve: Before serving, sprinkle the salad generously with the crispy bacon crumbles for added texture and flavor.

Notes

For a crunchier texture, use raw broccoli instead of blanching.
Turkey bacon is a healthier alternative to traditional bacon.
For a vegan version, substitute cheddar cheese with dairy-free cheese and mayonnaise with a plant-based alternative.
Adjust the sugar amount in the dressing based on your preferred level of sweetness.
Sunflower seeds can be replaced with pepitas or chopped nuts for variation.
Refrigerate the salad well before serving for optimal flavor blending.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: Southern broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, bacon broccoli salad, cheddar broccoli salad, easy side dish, summer salad, picnic salad