Description
A fresh and flavorful Amish Broccoli Salad featuring crisp broccoli florets mixed with shredded carrots, sweet red grapes, savory bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy sunflower seeds, all tossed in a tangy and creamy apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect as a side dish for any meal or a light, satisfying lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (About 1 large head of broccoli)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (Can substitute Greek yogurt for a healthier option)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Broccoli: Wash the broccoli thoroughly and cut it into bite-sized florets. Place the florets in a large mixing bowl.
- Add Vegetables and Mix-ins: Add the shredded carrots, halved grapes, cooked bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, and sunflower seeds to the bowl with the broccoli.
- Make Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss everything together gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are coated evenly with the dressing.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature as a delicious side dish or light meal.
Notes
- For a healthier alternative, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Can customize by adding nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
- Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours for enhanced flavor.
- Adjust sugar and vinegar amounts to taste for preferred sweetness and tanginess.
- This salad is not gluten-free due to potential cross-contamination in bacon; use gluten-free bacon if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No cooking required, mixing
- Cuisine: American, Amish-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Amish broccoli salad, broccoli salad recipe, healthy broccoli salad, bacon broccoli salad, apple cider vinegar dressing
