Imagine a salad that defies all boring salad stereotypes - a mouthwatering combination of crisp broccoli, smoky bacon, and a zesty lemon garlic dressing that will transform your meal from mundane to magnificent! This Chopped Broccoli Bacon Salad isn't just another side dish; it's a culinary adventure that promises to tantalize your palate and leave you craving more. Perfect for health-conscious foodies and flavor enthusiasts alike, this recipe is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the broccoli. Rinse the 4 cups of broccoli florets under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. After rinsing, chop the florets into smaller, bite-sized pieces if desired.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the broccoli florets and blanch them for about 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender. This will help maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture.
- After blanching, immediately transfer the broccoli to a bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process. Let it sit for a few minutes, then drain and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- While the broccoli is cooling, prepare the bacon. If you haven’t done so already, cook the bacon until crispy in a skillet over medium heat. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to absorb excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched and cooled broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, 1/4 cup of diced red onion, 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Next, prepare the lemon garlic dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and 1 clove of minced garlic. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the lemon garlic dressing over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Once the salad is well mixed, taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the chopped broccoli bacon salad immediately for the best texture, or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Enjoy your fresh and delicious salad!
Tips
- Blanching Perfection: The key to incredible broccoli is quick blanching. Keep a close eye on your florets and remove them immediately after 2-3 minutes to maintain that vibrant green color and crisp texture.
- Bacon Brilliance: For maximum flavor, use thick-cut bacon and cook it until it's perfectly crispy. Let it cool completely before crumbling to ensure maximum crunch.
- Dressing Hack: Whisk your lemon garlic dressing thoroughly to ensure the olive oil and lemon juice emulsify, creating a smooth, well-integrated flavor.
- Make-Ahead Magic: While best served fresh, this salad can be prepared up to 30 minutes in advance. The flavors actually develop and intensify as they sit.
- Customization is Key: Feel free to swap sunflower seeds with toasted almonds or add dried cranberries for an extra flavor dimension.
- Temperature Matters: Serve slightly chilled for the most refreshing experience, especially on warm summer days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
