Broccoli Beef Salad with Cranberries and Cheddar Recipe
This Broccoli Beef Salad combines crisp broccoli, savory beef bacon, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and sharp cheddar cheese all tossed in a tangy and slightly spicy dressing. It's a delicious and hearty salad perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner side dish, offering a great balance of textures and flavors in just 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 10-11 strips beef bacon, cooked
- 2 heads broccoli (about 1.5 pounds or 5-6 cups)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
- 1 lemon, zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Beef Bacon: Cook the beef bacon strips until they are crispy. Once cooked, set them aside to cool, then crumble or chop them into bite-size pieces for the salad.
- Blanch the Broccoli: Cut broccoli into bite-size florets and blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to slightly soften while retaining crunch. Immediately transfer the broccoli to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking and keep the vibrant green color; then drain thoroughly.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the blanched broccoli, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, roasted sunflower seeds, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped red onion. Toss gently to mix evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise), lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing. Chill if desired before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, be sure to cool the broccoli quickly after blanching to maintain its crispness.
- You can substitute Miracle Whip with mayonnaise based on your taste preference.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the spice level according to your liking.
- This salad is great served chilled and can be made a few hours ahead for flavors to meld.
- Check sunflower seeds and other packaged ingredients for allergens if needed.
