Broccoli Bacon Salad

This content material initially appeared right here. Republished with permission.

That is the greatest ever wholesome Broccoli and Bacon Salad recipe! Tiny bite-sized items of broccoli are tossed with bacon, dates, sunflower seeds, purple onion, and creamy do-it-yourself lemon garlic dressing. Better of all, it’s fully Whole30 and Paleo appropriate, and might simply be made Keto and low carb.

Why We Love It

The only recipes are normally probably the most spectacular to me, really easy, wholesome, and scrumptious salads are all the time on the menu at my home!

And this broccoli bacon salad is a complete crowd-pleaser. It really works simply as nicely for yard bbqs and cookouts (it travels nice!) because it does for weeknight dinners!

The broccoli is lower into tiny items and tossed with sharp purple onions, candy dates, crispy bacon, and crunchy sunflower seeds, then blended with a creamy do-it-yourself lemon garlic dressing.

As an added bonus, the steps to creating this recipe are tremendous easy. When you’re finished prepping the elements, you simply have to toss them collectively and let your loved ones and visitors dig in!

Better of all, this recipe is Whole30, Paleo, Gluten Free, and could be simply made Keto and Low Carb, too.

🥦 Substances

Broccoli Bacon Salad

• Broccoli
• Bacon. I like to make use of sugar-free bacon.
• Dates. This provides a sweetness to the salad that completely balances the salty bacon and savory dressing. You may substitute dried cranberries or apricots if you happen to want them.
• Sunflower Seeds. Sunflower seeds add crunch and a stunning nutty taste! I exploit roasted and unsalted sunflower seeds so I’ve extra management over the saltiness of the salad.
• Pink Onion. Pink onion provides somewhat sharp taste and extra crunch.
  👉 Tip: In case you want rather less harshness to your onions, pour the salad dressing over the sliced onions and wait an hour, then mix with the remainder of the salad elements. The vinegar within the dressing will start to mellow the flavour of the onions over time.

🍋 Lemon Garlic Dressing

• Mayo
• Mustard. I want to make use of common dijon mustard, however any kind you take pleasure in or have readily available will work.
• Garlic
• Lemon Juice
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Salt & Pepper

Dietary Restrictions / Variations

👉 Whole30: Use Whole30 appropriate mayo and nitrate-free, sugar-free bacon.

👉 Keto / Low Carb: Use sugar-free bacon and omit the dates. You may substitute contemporary or dried blueberries if you happen to’d like or simply depart them off the salad fully. Optionally, add 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese.

👉 Vegetarian: Omit the bacon and substitute vegetarian mayo. You may embody mushroom or coconut bacon, if you happen to’d like, or simply depart it out fully. Both method might be completely delish!

👩‍🍳 Step by Step Directions

Step 1: Do the prep work.

Prepare dinner the bacon in a big skillet over medium warmth. As soon as the bacon is crispy, set it apart on a paper towel lined plate to chill.

Subsequent, seize your slicing board! Chop the broccoli into bite-sized items, then cube the onion, lower the dates into quarters, and roughly chop the cooked, cooled bacon.

Step 2: Make the lemon garlic dressing.

Add the mayo, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, and apple cider vinegar to a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.

Whisk collectively the salad dressing elements till it’s a clean and creamy consistency.

If you wish to skinny out the dressing a bit extra as soon as it’s whisked collectively, stir in 1/2-1 teaspoon of lemon juice at a time.

Step 3: Assemble and serve.

Add the broccoli, bacon, dates, sunflower seeds, and onion to a big bowl.

Drizzle all of the dressing on high of the salad, then toss all of the elements collectively till it’s totally and evenly mixed.

FAQ & Ideas

Find out how to retailer leftover broccoli salad?

Switch leftovers to an hermetic container and retailer within the fridge for 3-4 days, per USDA.

What primary dish goes nicely with broccoli salad?

Serve broccoli salad with burgers, scorching canine, bbq rooster thighs, rooster drumsticks, meatloaf, grilled rooster, or salmon.

Do I exploit uncooked or cooked broccoli in broccoli salad?

I want to make use of uncooked broccoli, nevertheless, you possibly can determine whether or not you want blanched or uncooked broccoli, based mostly in your preferences. Blanching refers to briefly submerging the vegetable in boiling water after which stopping the cooking course of rapidly, which permits for only a tiny quantity of cooking and softening of the vegetable.

To Blanche Broccoli:
1. Boil a big pot of salted water.
2. Gently place the items of bite-sized broccoli into the boiling water.
3. Prepare dinner for about 1 minute, or simply till shiny inexperienced.
4. Take away the broccoli and switch it to an ice tub (a big bowl of ice and water) till totally cool.
5. Drain the water and pat the broccoli dry.

Find out how to make broccoli salad prematurely?

Broccoli salad is a wonderful make-ahead dish. I like to recommend following the recipe as-written, however hold the bacon separate on the aspect to maintain it from getting gentle and soggy. Retailer the salad lined within the fridge for as much as a day, then add the bacon simply earlier than serving.

What to do with leftover broccoli stems?

Toss diced broccoli stems into this salad for further crunch and texture, or make broccoli ranch slaw. It’s also possible to add them to your stir fry or salads.

Extra Scrumptious Salads

Are you making this recipe?
Please share your expertise by leaving a remark under or tagging me on Instagram @cookathomemom!

Broccoli Bacon Salad

This broccoli bacon salad is a scrumptious, balanced recipe for events and cookouts. It is tossed with a do-it-yourself lemon garlic dressing and is sweet and crunchy and hits all of the salty, candy taste factors!

Energy 324 kcal per serving

Substances

Broccoli & Bacon Salad

• 5
  cups
  broccoli florets
  about 3 crowns
• 8
  ounces
  bacon,
  cooked, about 8 slices
• ½
  cup
  diced dates,
  or use any mixture of dried cranberries or apricots.⠀
• ½
  cup
  roasted unsalted sunflower seeds⠀
• 1/2
  purple onion

Lemon Garlic Dressing

• 1/2
  cup
  mayo⠀
• 1
  clove
  garlic
  minced
• 1
  teaspoon
  mustard⠀
• 2
  teaspoons
  apple cider vinegar,
  ideally uncooked
• 2
  Tablespoons
  lemon juice
  about 1/2 lemon
• salt and pepper
  to style

Directions

Do the Prep Work

1. Prepare dinner the bacon in a skillet over medium warmth till crispy. Set the items on a paper towel lined plate to chill.

   In the meantime, take away the stems from the broccoli and chop them into chunk sized items.

   Thinly slice the purple onion. Cube the dates. As soon as the bacon is cooled, roughly chop it into chunk sized items.

Make the Dressing

1. Grate or finely mince the garlic, then whisk collectively all of the salad dressing elements in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to style.

   If wanted, add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon extra lemon juice to skinny to desired consistency.

Broccoli & Bacon Salad

1. Add the broccoli, bacon, sunflower seeds, dates, and onion to a bowl.

   Drizzle all of the salad dressing on high. Toss all of the elements collectively till totally coated and serve.

Recipe Notes

To retailer leftovers: Cowl the bowl tightly or switch leftovers to an hermetic container. Retailer within the fridge for 3-4 days, per USDA.

To make prematurely: Comply with the recipe as written, however hold the bacon separate and on the aspect to maintain it from getting gentle and soggy. Retailer the ready salad lined within the fridge for as much as a day, then add the bacon simply earlier than serving.

Some folks might want blanched (calmly cooked) broccoli over uncooked broccoli on this recipe.

To blanche the broccoli:

1. Boil a big pot of salted water
2. Gently place the items of bite-sized broccoli into the boiling water
3. Prepare dinner for about 1 minute, or simply till shiny inexperienced.
4. Take away the broccoli and set in an ice tub till cooled
5. Drain the water and pat the broccoli dry

Diet Details

Broccoli Bacon Salad

Quantity Per Serving

Energy 324
Energy from Fats 225

% Day by day Worth*

Fats 25g38%

Saturated Fats 6g38%

Ldl cholesterol 28mg9%

Sodium 417mg18%

Potassium 352mg10%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 9g18%

Calcium 41mg4%

Vitamin C 55mg67%

Vitamin A 405IU8%

Iron 1mg6%

* % Day by day Values are based mostly on a 2000 calorie weight-reduction plan.

Please word that the dietary data might differ relying
on the particular manufacturers of merchandise used. We encourage everybody to test particular
product labels in calculating the precise dietary data.