Broccoli Crunch Salad

5 from 1 vote

This delicious and nutrient-rich Broccoli Crunch Salad is loaded with bacon, dried cranberries, pecans, and sunflower seeds, and tossed in a creamy and tangy dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes, this is the perfect simple-to-make side to bring to a potluck or pair with any grilled entree.

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: Servings

Calories: 350kcal

Author: Amanda McGillicuddy

Equipment

Knife
Cutting board
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Rubber Spatula
Salad bowl or platter

Ingredients

6 cups Broccoli, chopped into 1-inch florets about 4 small heads
1 Small shallot, diced about ¼ cup diced
½ cup Cooked bacon, chopped I used sugar-free bacon (about 4-5 slices)
½ cup Dried cranberries I used apple juice sweetened
¼ cup Pecans, chopped
¼ cup Roasted sunflower seeds

Dressing

⅔ cup Avocado oil mayo I used Primal Kitchen but use your favorite.
2 tablespoon Maple syrup or honey
1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon Sea salt or to taste depending on how salty the bacon is
½ teaspoon Garlic powder
½ teaspoon Ground black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the ingredients by chopping the broccoli into small bite-sized florets, dicing the shallot, cooking and chopping the bacon, and chopping the pecans. If your pecans are raw, you can lightly toast them in a skillet with about ½ teaspoon of oil over low-medium heat until they smell lightly toasted (2-3 minutes). Set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and whisk until there are no lumps. Taste and adjust dressing tanginess/sweetness/seasonings as needed.
Add the broccoli and shallot to the mixing bowl with the dressing and toss with a rubber spatula until everything is evenly coated and the diced shallot is distributed.
Transfer to a serving platter or large shallow salad bowl and top with chopped bacon, cranberries, pecans and sunflower seeds. Serve immediately.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Toss before serving.

Notes

Scroll up for recipe tips, ingredient notes, and possible substitutions.

Alternatively, all ingredients can be tossed together in the mixing bowl but I feel like the nuts and seeds stay crunchy longer if they are sprinkled on top rather than tossed in the dressing.

If prepping ahead of time, I like to keep the chopped bacon, dried cranberries, pecans and sunflower seeds in a separate container and mix in right before serving to maintain that crunch.

Nutrition