# Broccoli Salad

> A simple broccoli salad made with bacon, cranberries, and other simple add-ins! This salad is perfect as a side dish and can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.

**Prep time:** 10 minutes
**Chilling time:** 1 hour
**Total time:** 10 minutes
**Servings:** 8 cups
**Calories:** 291 kcal
**Storage:** Refrigerates 3-4 days

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## Ingredients

### Salad
- 5-6 cups broccoli florets (about 2.5 heads of broccoli, 450g)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, thicker cut not finely shredded (115g)
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries (85g)
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon (60g)
- 1/2 cup salted sunflower seeds (60g)
- 1/3 cup red onion, diced into small pieces (50g)

### Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise (can use olive oil mayo, 175g)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (70g)
- 1.5 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sugar (40g)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper

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## Shopping List

### 🥬 Produce
- [ ] 5-6 cups broccoli florets (about 2.5 heads)
- [ ] 1/3 cup red onion

### 🧀 Dairy
- [ ] 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (thicker cut)
- [ ] 1/4 cup sour cream

### 🥓 Meat
- [ ] Bacon for 1/2 cup crumbled (about 8 strips)

### 🥫 Pantry
- [ ] 2/3 cup dried cranberries
- [ ] 1/2 cup salted sunflower seeds
- [ ] 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- [ ] White wine vinegar (need 1.5 tbsp)
- [ ] Sugar (need 3 tbsp)
- [ ] Salt
- [ ] Black pepper

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## Instructions

1. **Combine salad ingredients.** In a large bowl, combine broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, bacon, sunflower seeds, and diced onion.

2. **Make the dressing.** In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.

3. **Dress the salad.** Pour dressing over broccoli combination and toss or stir well.

4. **Chill and serve.** Broccoli salad may be served immediately, but for best flavor refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Make sure to toss broccoli salad thoroughly again before serving.

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## Notes

**Broccoli preparation:** You don't need to blanch the broccoli when making broccoli salad. If you wish to, blanch it in boiling water for 60 seconds. Drain and rinse with cold water immediately until broccoli has cooled, and then dry well before using.

**Bacon:** If cooking and crumbling your own bacon, you'll need about 8 strips. If you prefer to use pre-cooked/crumbled bacon, make sure you buy the kind made with real bacon (it should say it on the label) and not "bacon flavored bits" with imitation flavor.

**Sour cream substitute:** Some or all of the sour cream may be substituted with plain Greek yogurt.

**Vinegar options:** White wine vinegar is preferred, but red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar will also work great here.

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## Storage

Keep refrigerated if not consuming right away. Broccoli Salad may be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If you are making several days in advance, reserve the salad and the dressing separately, then toss everything together at least an hour before serving.