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Crunchy Broccoli Bacon Ranch Salad Recipe with Cheddar and Sunflower Seeds

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A crunchy, creamy, and tangy broccoli salad featuring crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, toasted sunflower seeds, and a homemade ranch dressing. Perfect as a flavorful side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¾ cup ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place 6 slices of bacon in a cold skillet. Turn the heat to medium and cook, flipping occasionally, until bacon is crispy and browned, about 8–10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cool.
  2. Prep the broccoli: While bacon cooks, rinse 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets under cold water, then pat dry thoroughly. Chop into bite-sized pieces (roughly 1-inch chunks).
  3. Toast sunflower seeds: In a dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast ½ cup sunflower seeds until fragrant and slightly golden, about 3–4 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. Dice the onion: Finely chop ¼ cup red onion.
  5. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together ¾ cup ranch dressing, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (optional), and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed. Add a teaspoon of water or buttermilk if a thinner dressing is desired.
  6. Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, toasted sunflower seeds, and diced red onion.
  7. Toss with dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly without bruising the broccoli.
  8. Chill before serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and maintain crunch.
  9. Final touch: Give the salad a quick stir before serving and add extra cracked black pepper or a sprinkle of cheddar if desired.

Notes

Dry broccoli thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Cook bacon until crispy but not burnt for best texture. Toast sunflower seeds carefully to avoid burning. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors and maintain crunch. For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or use dairy-free ranch dressing. Sunflower seeds can be replaced with toasted pumpkin seeds or slivered almonds. Chopping broccoli smaller or blanching briefly can soften the bite without losing crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, ranch dressing, crunchy salad, cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, easy side dish, potluck salad

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/crunchy-broccoli-bacon-ranch-salad-recipe-with-cheddar-and-sunflower-seeds-easy-perfect-side-dish/