Bacon Ranch Broccoli Salad is a delicious and flavorful side dish that combines fresh broccoli with crispy bacon, creamy ranch dressing, and crunchy sunflower seeds. Here’s a recipe to make this tasty salad:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Broccoli:
- Wash the broccoli thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
- Trim off any tough stems and chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Cook the Bacon:
- Cook the bacon until crispy according to your preferred method (pan-frying, baking, or microwave). Once cooked, drain excess fat on paper towels and crumble into small pieces.
- Assemble the Salad:
- Add the crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped red onion, and sunflower seeds to the bowl with the broccoli.
- Add the Dressing:
- Pour the ranch dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl.
- Toss to Combine:
- Gently toss the salad ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the ranch dressing.
- Season to Taste:
- Taste the salad and season with salt and black pepper, if needed. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
- Chill and Serve:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate the bacon ranch broccoli salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together and the broccoli to slightly soften.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Once chilled, give the salad a final toss and serve it as a delicious side dish or light meal option.
This Bacon Ranch Broccoli Salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, barbecues, or as a simple and satisfying lunch or dinner accompaniment. The combination of flavors and textures is sure to be a hit with family and friends!