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Crunchy Bacon Ranch Broccoli Salad Recipe with Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds

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A quick and easy summer salad combining crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, sweet-tart cranberries, and toasted sunflower seeds tossed in a creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, and casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 packet (about 1 ounce) ranch dressing mix
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange 6 slices of bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until crispy. Alternatively, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain and crumble when cool.
  2. While bacon cooks, rinse and chop about 4 cups of broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Pat dry thoroughly.
  3. Toast 1/2 cup sunflower seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 packet ranch dressing mix, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon honey. Whisk or shake until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add chopped broccoli, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, toasted sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon.
  6. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  7. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and broccoli soften slightly while keeping its crunch.
  8. Give the salad a quick toss before serving and optionally sprinkle extra sunflower seeds on top for garnish.

Notes

Pat broccoli dry thoroughly to avoid sogginess. Toast sunflower seeds carefully to prevent burning. Cook bacon until just crispy, not brittle. Dressing can be made a day ahead for deeper flavor. Bacon can be baked or skillet-cooked. Salad tastes better after chilling at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, ranch dressing, summer salad, cranberry salad, sunflower seeds, crunchy salad, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://grubella.com/crunchy-bacon-ranch-broccoli-salad-recipe-with-cranberries-and-sunflower-seeds-perfect-for-summer/