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Crunchy Broccoli Bacon Ranch Salad Recipe with Sunflower Seeds

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A fresh and satisfying salad combining crisp broccoli florets, crispy bacon, nutty sunflower seeds, and creamy ranch dressing, perfect for summer and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (about 300g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds (about 70g), toasted
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ½ cup raisins (optional)
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¾ cup ranch dressing (180ml)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (15ml)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook 6 slices of bacon until crispy, about 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Toast the sunflower seeds: In the same skillet (discard excess bacon fat if preferred), add ½ cup of sunflower seeds and toast over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Prepare the broccoli: Rinse and dry 4 cups of broccoli florets. Cut into small, even pieces.
  4. Dice the red onion: Finely chop ¼ cup of red onion. For milder flavor, soak diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain well.
  5. Mix the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ¾ cup ranch dressing and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.
  6. Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, toss broccoli, bacon pieces, toasted sunflower seeds, red onion, raisins, and shredded cheddar cheese.
  7. Add dressing: Pour the ranch dressing over the salad and gently toss until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Chill before serving: Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and broccoli soften slightly.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad initially; add more ranch dressing if needed. Toast sunflower seeds for best flavor and crunch. Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors but avoid letting it sit too long to prevent sogginess. Bacon can be cooked in the oven if preferred. For dairy-free or vegetarian versions, substitute bacon and cheese accordingly and use dairy-free ranch or vinaigrette.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, ranch dressing, sunflower seeds, summer salad, crunchy salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/crunchy-broccoli-bacon-ranch-salad-recipe-with-sunflower-seeds-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/