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Crispy Broccoli Crunch Salad Recipe with Bacon and Honey Mustard Dressing

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A quick and easy salad featuring sautéed broccoli florets, crispy bacon, and a tangy honey mustard dressing, perfect for gatherings or a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (300 grams) broccoli florets, fresh and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices thick-cut smoked bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • ½ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ½ cup (60 grams) sunflower seeds or sliced almonds
  • 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil or avocado oil for sautéing

Instructions

  1. Rinse 4 cups (300 g) of broccoli florets and pat dry thoroughly using a kitchen towel or salad spinner.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6 slices of bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then crumble once cool. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive or avocado oil in the bacon-fat-lined skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli florets and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until bright green with some charred edges. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. Thinly slice ½ small red onion (about 50 grams). Soak in cold water for 5 minutes if desired to mellow sharpness, then drain well.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine sautéed broccoli, crumbled bacon, sliced onion, ½ cup (60 g) sunflower seeds or sliced almonds, and 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese.
  7. Pour the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  8. Serve immediately for maximum crunch and flavor. Refrigerate for no more than 2 hours if needed.

Notes

Dry broccoli thoroughly before sautéing to ensure crispiness. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming. Save some bacon fat for sautéing to add flavor. Adjust honey and vinegar in dressing to taste. For best texture, serve immediately or refrigerate no more than 2 hours. Dressing can be made ahead and stored up to 5 days in fridge. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add toasted chickpeas or smoked paprika roasted nuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, crispy broccoli, bacon salad, honey mustard dressing, quick salad, easy salad, crunchy salad, healthy salad

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/crispy-broccoli-crunch-salad-recipe-with-bacon-and-honey-mustard-dressing-easy-and-delicious/