Description
This Broccoli Bacon Salad combines fresh steamed broccoli with crispy bacon, crunchy walnuts, tart cranberries, and a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise and Greek yogurt. It’s a delightful mix of textures and flavors, perfect as a flavorful side dish for gatherings or a light lunch option.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 large heads broccoli (cut into florets)
- 6 oz. bacon (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- â…“ cup red onion (finely sliced)
- â…” cup cranberries
- 1 cup walnuts (toasted)
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- â…“ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- ½ tsp. salt
Instructions
- Steam Broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets in a steamer basket for 4-5 minutes until they turn bright green. Transfer to a large bowl to cool, then use a paper towel to dab the broccoli until completely dry.
- Cook Bacon: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces for 5-7 minutes or until fully cooked and crispy. Drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar, sugar, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Broccoli with Dressing: Add the cooled and dried broccoli into the dressing and toss thoroughly until all florets are well coated.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the finely sliced red onion, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and cooked bacon pieces, mixing gently to combine.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or up to overnight to let the flavors meld before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to dry the broccoli thoroughly after steaming to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- To toast walnuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or dried cherries if preferred.
- For a lower sugar option, reduce or omit the sugar in the dressing.
- This salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors have time to develop.
