Description
A fresh, crunchy, and satisfying Broccoli Salad featuring vibrant broccoli florets, smoky turkey bacon, plant-based cheese cubes, and a creamy natural dressing. Perfect for quick meals, potlucks, or snacks, this recipe offers a balanced blend of textures and bold flavors with easy customization options.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, cubed
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (natural)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (natural)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Wash and cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets to ensure every forkful has the perfect crunch and flavor. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: Chop the smoked turkey bacon into small pieces. Cook it in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease and add smoky aroma and texture to the salad.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), maple syrup (natural), Dijon mustard (natural), salt, and pepper until the dressing is creamy and smooth, balancing tangy, sweet, and savory notes.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooked turkey bacon, finely chopped red onion, plant-based cheese cubes, and sunflower seeds to the bowl with broccoli. Pour the dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and dressing to soak into the ingredients. Serve chilled for the best taste.
Notes
- Use fresh broccoli for optimal texture and flavor.
- Smoked turkey bacon adds a delicious smoky crunch without overpowering the dish.
- Chilling the salad helps flavors combine beautifully.
- Customize by swapping sunflower seeds with chopped almonds or walnuts.
- Adjust vinegar and maple syrup to achieve your preferred balance of sweet and tangy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking required except skillet frying for bacon
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: broccoli salad, turkey bacon salad, plant-based cheese, healthy salad, crunchy salad, easy salad recipe