Easy Broccoli Bacon Salad

Everyone needs a recipe for the best Broccoli Salad! This one is stuffed with bacon, cranberry, cheese, sunflower seeds, and tangy homemade dressing. It is easy to make and is a huge crowd pleaser. The perfect side dish to bring to your summer barbecue, or even to serve at Thanksgiving! 

Ingredients

Serves 8-10

Salad

• 10-11 strips of bacon
• 2 heads broccoli (about 1 and 1/2 pounds or 5-6 cups)
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion, or more to taste

Dressing

• 1 and 1/4 cups Miracle Whip OR mayonnaise
• zest from 1 lemon
• 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

Directions

1. Cook the bacon, allow it to cool, then chop into pieces
2. Chop broccoli into bite-size pieces
3. Mix together all ingredients for the dressing in a large bowl
4. Add the ingredients for the salad to the bowl with the dressing, stirring until salad is coated with dressing.
5. Serve at room temperature if desired. Otherwise, cover and place in fridge until approximately 15-20 minutes before serving. Salad will keep for about 5 days in the fridge.
6. Enjoy!