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Creamy Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds

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A crunchy, tangy, sweet, and creamy broccoli salad featuring dried cranberries, toasted sunflower seeds, and a homemade mayo-based dressing with honey and apple cider vinegar. Perfect for potlucks, quick lunches, or as a colorful side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about one large head)
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup sunflower seeds, toasted if possible
  • ¼ cup finely diced red onion
  • 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 4 cups of broccoli florets under cold water. Pat dry with a kitchen towel. Chop into bite-sized pieces if needed. Set aside. (About 5 minutes)
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 4 strips of bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled. (Optional, adds smoky crunch; 10 minutes)
  3. In the same skillet or in the oven, toast ⅓ cup sunflower seeds until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The dressing should be creamy yet tangy. (5 minutes)
  5. In a large bowl, add the broccoli, dried cranberries, crumbled bacon, red onion, and toasted sunflower seeds. Pour the dressing over and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. (3-4 minutes)
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the broccoli soften slightly without losing its crunch.

Notes

Use fresh, firm broccoli for best crunch. Toast sunflower seeds to enhance flavor. Cook bacon until crispy but not burnt. Whisk dressing thoroughly to dissolve honey. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors and soften broccoli slightly. Avoid overdressing to prevent sogginess. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and use vegan mayo. For vegetarian, omit bacon or substitute with toasted nuts. Salad keeps well up to 3 days refrigerated.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, cranberry salad, sunflower seed salad, easy salad recipe, potluck salad, healthy salad, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://milacook.com/creamy-broccoli-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-cranberry-sunflower-seed-salad/