Ingredients
Salad
6 cups broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads), cut smal
8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup red onion, finely diced
1/3 cup sunflower seeds (or pepitas)
Creamy Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or use more mayo)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp honey (or 1-2 tbsp sugar)
1/4 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Cook bacon: Cook until crisp, drain, cool, and crumble.
Prep broccoli: Cut florets into small bite-size pieces (smaller = better texture).
Mix dressing: Whisk mayo, Greek yogurt, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Assemble: In a large bowl, combine broccoli, bacon, cheddar, onion, and sunflower seeds.
Toss: Pour dressing over salad and mix well.
Chill (recommended): Refrigerate 30–60 minutes for best flavor. Toss again before serving.
Notes
Cooking Tips
-
Cut broccoli small so it coats evenly and is easier to eat.
-
Chill time matters: 30–60 minutes helps the broccoli soften slightly and flavors meld.
-
Keep it crunchy: Add seeds right before serving if making ahead.
-
Too thick? Loosen dressing with 1–2 tsp water or extra vinegar.
Variations
-
Sweet + tangy: Add 1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins.
-
Extra crunch: Swap sunflower seeds for sliced almonds, chopped pecans, or walnuts.
-
Lighter: Use all Greek yogurt (or half mayo/half yogurt) and turkey bacon.
-
More bite: Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the dressing.
-
Meal-prep friendly: Add diced cooked chicken for a protein-packed lunch salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for bacon)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Fat: varies by bacon/mayo brand and portion size
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Protein: 9g