Broccoli Beef Salad with Cranberries and Cheddar Recipe
A hearty and flavorful broccoli beef salad featuring crispy beef bacon, fresh broccoli, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, sharp cheddar cheese, and a tangy, zesty dressing. This salad is perfect as a nutritious meal or a satisfying side dish, combining a delightful mix of textures and tastes.
- 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 and crumbled
- 2 heads broccoli (about 1.5 pounds or 5-6 cups), chopped
- 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 in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove from pan, drain on paper towels, and set aside to cool. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a pot of water to boil. Add the chopped broccoli and blanch for 2-3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Immediately drain and transfer the broccoli to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and keep the broccoli crisp. Drain again thoroughly.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the blanched broccoli, crumbled beef bacon, dried cranberries, roasted and salted sunflower seeds, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped red onion. Gently toss to mix.
- 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 smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
- Blanching broccoli helps retain its bright color and crisp texture.
- Use beef bacon for authentic flavor, but regular pork bacon can be substituted if preferred.
- Make sure to cool and crumble the bacon before mixing to avoid wilting the broccoli.
- Chilling the salad after tossing improves the melding of flavors.
- For a lower sugar version, reduce the sugar in the dressing or use a sugar substitute.
- Check all packaged ingredients, like Miracle Whip and sunflower seeds, for allergens if needed.
