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Crunchy Broccoli Bacon Grape Salad with Easy Homemade Honey Apple Cider Dressing

broccoli bacon grape salad - featured image
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A fresh and flavorful salad combining crisp broccoli, sweet grapes, smoky bacon, and a tangy honey apple cider dressing. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 300 grams), trimmed into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 ½ cups seedless red grapes (about 225 grams), halved
  • 6 to 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • ¼ cup finely chopped red onion (about half a small onion)
  • ¼ cup toasted sunflower seeds (pumpkin seeds as substitute)
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 6 to 8 slices of bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prep the broccoli: Rinse broccoli florets under cold water. Blanch by plunging into boiling water for 1 minute, then immediately transfer to an ice bath for 2 minutes. Drain well and pat dry.
  3. Prepare grapes and onion: Halve the seedless grapes. Finely chop the red onion. For milder onion flavor, soak chopped onion in cold water for 5 minutes and drain.
  4. Toast sunflower seeds: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast sunflower seeds for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Let cool.
  5. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified and smooth.
  6. Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine blanched broccoli, halved grapes, chopped bacon, red onion, and toasted sunflower seeds. Pour dressing over salad and gently toss to coat evenly.
  7. Chill and serve: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Toss gently before plating.

Notes

Do not skip blanching the broccoli to keep it crisp but tender. Cook bacon until crispy for best texture. Toast seeds to enhance flavor. Toss salad gently to avoid bruising grapes or broccoli. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 2 days; dressing may soften broccoli over time. Dressing can be stored separately to maintain freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, grape salad, honey apple cider dressing, easy salad, potluck salad, healthy side dish

Find it online: https://milacook.com/crunchy-broccoli-bacon-grape-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-honey-apple-cider-dressing/