Amish Broccoli Salad Bacon Cheddar (Print Version)

Broccoli, bacon, and cheddar blend with raisins in a creamy sweet-tangy dressing for a crowd-pleasing side.

# Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 6 cups broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads), cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced

→ Cheese & Add-ins

03 - 180 g sharp cheddar cheese, diced or shredded
04 - 75 g raisins or dried cranberries
05 - 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
06 - 45 g sunflower seeds (optional, for added crunch)

→ Dressing

07 - 240 g mayonnaise
08 - 30 ml apple cider vinegar
09 - 38 g granulated sugar
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Arrange bacon slices in a dry skillet or on a baking tray and cook over medium heat or in a preheated oven until crisp. Place cooked bacon on paper towels to drain excess fat, then crumble into small pieces. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli florets, finely diced red onion, sharp cheddar cheese, raisins or dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds if using.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Add the crumbled bacon to the salad just before serving. Gently toss again to distribute.
06 - For optimal flavor and texture, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour prior to serving.

# Notes:

01 - For a lighter version, substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
02 - Turkey bacon or omitting bacon makes this suitable for vegetarians.
03 - Diced apples add extra sweetness and texture if desired.
04 - The salad remains crisp and flavorful, when covered and refrigerated, for up to 2 days.