Are you ready to shake up your salad routine with something irresistibly crunchy and delightfully tasty? Look no further than this bodacious broccoli salad featuring the classic combo of bacon and cheese. It’s not just any salad—it’s the one that garners requests at every family gathering. Whether you’re bringing it to a potluck or serving it at your dining table, this salad promises to be a star dish. With a perfect blend of crisp broccoli, savory bacon, rich cheese, and a tangy dressing, it’s easy to see why everyone insists on getting the recipe. Let’s dive into what makes this dish a crowd favorite and how you can whip it up in no time!
Essential Ingredients for Bodacious Broccoli Salad
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Main Components: Broccoli, Bacon, and Cheese
To create the delectable Bodacious Broccoli Salad, you’ll need some crucial ingredients, each adding its unique texture and flavor. The base of the salad consists of fresh, crisp broccoli chopped into bite-sized pieces. Broccoli not only gives the dish its distinct freshness but is also packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants.
The next primary ingredient is bacon, which needs to be cooked until it achieves a perfect balance of crispy and chewy textures. Once cooked, the bacon is crumbled, offering occasional salty and smoky bursts of flavor that contrast delightfully with the fresh greens.
Finally, sharp Cheddar cheese is shredded and mixed into the salad. Its creamy texture and bold taste bind all the elements together, making every bite immensely satisfying and flavor-packed.
Dressing Composition: Mayonnaise, Red Wine Vinegar, and Seasonings
The dressing for the broccoli salad is creamy and tangy, providing a rich coating for the vegetables. It starts with a good quality mayonnaise which forms the creamy base of your dressing. To this, red wine vinegar is added for a bright tartness that cuts through the creaminess, balancing the flavors beautifully.
For seasonings, the recipe includes ground black pepper and salt, enhancing the natural flavors of the broccoli and bacon. Additionally, a hint of white sugar is whisked into the dressing for a slight sweetness that complements the sharpness of the vinegar and the creaminess of the mayonnaise. Lastly, a dash of fresh lemon juice gives a subtle fresh zest, making the salad even more irresistible.
Step-by-Step Preparation
Cooking the Bacon to Perfection
To ensure your bacon is perfectly cooked for the salad, start by placing the bacon strips in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each piece until it’s evenly browned and crisp, roughly 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve an even cook. Once the bacon reaches the desired crispiness, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. This step will help absorb excess grease while allowing the bacon to cool. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces. This bacon will add a wonderful crunch and rich flavor to your salad.
Combining the Salad Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the freshly chopped broccoli, crumbled bacon, shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, and chopped red onion. The red onion adds a nice sharpness and crunch, which balances the rich flavors from the bacon and cheese. Toss these ingredients until they are well mixed. This step is crucial as it ensures that each component of the salad is evenly distributed, allowing every spoonful to be as enjoyable as the last.
Mixing and Seasoning the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, white sugar, ground black pepper, salt, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk them until the mixture is smooth and all the ingredients are well incorporated. The goal here is to create a dressing that is balanced in flavor—creamy yet tangy, with just the right amount of sweetness and zest.
Pour the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients in the large bowl. Use a large spoon or spatula to toss the salad, ensuring that the dressing coats every piece of broccoli, bacon, and cheese evenly. This mixing ensures that each bite of the salad will be flavorful and satisfying.
After thoroughly mixing, cover the salad and refrigerate it. Chilling the salad not only helps the flavors to meld together but also ensures that the salad is refreshingly cool, making it a perfect dish to serve on warm days or at gatherings.
This Bodacious Broccoli Salad with bacon and cheese is easy to prepare and packs a punch of flavor that makes it a crowd-pleaser at any event. Its combination of fresh, zesty, and creamy elements is sure to entice everyone to ask for your recipe!
Delicious Salad with Bacon and Cheese Recipe
Course: SaladsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6-8
servings20
minutes20
minutes250-300
kcalBroccoli salad is a vibrant, crunchy dish that brings a burst of freshness to any meal. The Bodacious Broccoli Salad is an enticing mix of textures and flavors, making it a perfect side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or weekday dinners. This salad features crisp broccoli, savory bacon, sweet raisins, and a tangy dressing that ties everything together. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also packed with nutrients, making it a healthy choice for any occasion. The combination of ingredients creates a harmony of flavors that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time, making it a convenient option for busy days. Let’s explore how to create this delightful salad that’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients
10 slices bacon
1 head fresh broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup sliced almonds
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
Directions
- Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli, red onion, raisins, and almonds. Mix well.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Add the crumbled bacon and toss again.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Refrigeration Time Before Serving
The right timing can make all the difference when it comes to salads, especially ones containing crispy ingredients like bacon. For optimal taste and texture, it’s recommended to chill the Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, giving the sharp Cheddar cheese and the savory bacon time to infuse into the broccoli and onion. Not only does this chilling time enhance the flavor, but it also ensures that the salad is refreshingly cool, adding to its appeal on a warm day or as a crisp side dish with a hot meal.
Garnishing and Serving Suggestions
When it comes to presenting the Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad, a few additional touches can elevate the overall experience:
– Garnishing: Just before serving, consider adding a sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. For a bit of extra crunch, a handful of crumbled crackers or toasted nuts can be inviting.
– Serving: Serve the chilled salad in a large, clear bowl or on a platter to showcase its vibrant ingredients. If outdoor dining is on the agenda, this salad makes a visually appealing and easy-to-serve option at picnics and BBQs.
– Accompanying dishes: This hearty salad pairs wonderfully with grilled meats like chicken or steak, offering a refreshing contrast. It’s also perfect alongside a vegetarian pasta dish or as a fulfilling lunch all on its own with crusty bread.
Nutritional Information
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Understanding the nutritional content of the meals we consume is more important than ever. Here’s a breakdown of the key nutritional elements per serving of the Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad, which can serve as a guide to balance it with other foods throughout the day:
– Calories: Each serving contains 273 calories, making it a substantial side or a lighter main dish.
– Fat: There are 24 grams of fat per serving, including 8 grams of saturated fat, which is something to consider if managing dietary fat intake.
– Carbohydrates and Fibers: With 7 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of dietary fiber, this salad fits well within a low-carb diet framework.
– Proteins: Each portion offers 8 grams of protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
– Vitamins and Minerals: This salad is a good source of Vitamin C, providing about 50% of the recommended daily value, essential for immune system support and skin health. It also offers calcium, iron, and potassium, which are crucial for bone health, blood function, and regulating body fluids.
Incorporating this Broccoli Bacon and Cheese Salad into your meal plan provides not just a burst of vibrant flavors but also a range of nutrients essential for maintaining a balanced diet. Whether you’re looking for a satisfying main or a complementary side, this salad offers both taste and health benefits, proving that delicious can also be nutritious.
Conclusion
This bodacious broccoli salad with bacon and cheese is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a testament to the power of simple ingredients coming together to create a satisfying meal. Whether you’re bringing this dish to a family gathering or just whipping it up for a weeknight dinner, its flavors are sure to impress. The crisp bacon, fresh broccoli, and sharp Cheddar cheese, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing, offer a delectable balance of textures and tastes that can make any meal memorable. Remember to prepare it a couple of hours in advance to let the flavors meld beautifully. Enjoy this easy, delicious, and mouthwatering salad as it becomes a new favorite in your culinary repertoire!
