BROCCOLI SALAD RECIPE

Several of you have asked about a recipe for this and so here it is.  I've been making this for a long time.  My Mom had the recipe originally but not sure where she got that one.  Of course it's kind of ubiquitous online now, but she was using it as far back as the early 80's.

Broccoli salad like coleslaw

Ingredients:

3 broccoli crowns cut into florets

8 oz sharp cheddar, shredded

1 medium to large red onion, chopped

6 slices of bacon, fried and crumbled. 

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup mayonnaise 

5 TBSP red wine vinegar.

See step by step instructions below:

Broccoli florets

I used to buy the broccoli crowns and cut them up into the florets but now that stores have these, it's so much easier and quicker.  I used three of these bags.  I wash and dry them (in our salad spinner) and any pieces that still seem too big, I cut them up smaller.  You want a good size for eating with a fork at the table.

Cheese and red onion

Next take the red onion and 8 oz of sharp cheddar (if you don't like sharp you can use regular cheddar)...

Chopped onions

Chop up the onion...

Shredded cheddar cheese

Shred the cheddar cheese...

Frying bacon

Fry the bacon (we dice it up before frying)...

Fried bacon

And then drain it on paper towels...

Dressing

The dressing is easy...1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup mayo, and 5 TBSP of red wine vinegar.  If you are watching sugar, you could cut this to 1/3 cup or maybe even 1/4 cup...

Ball Jar leakproof lids

I used my clearance deal Ball Jar lids and put the ingredients in there...

Mixing dressing in Mason jar

Shake vigorously and your dressing/sauce is done.  Of course you can whisk it all up in a bowl as well.

Broccoli, bacon, onions and cheddar cheese

Add the cheese, onion and bacon into the broccoli florets and mix it all up well...

Mixing the broccoli salad

Then just pour in the dressing and mix it all well again.  It's best when served cold from the refrigerator.  When I can, I actually like to make it the night before.  This gives the flavors time to enhance and the broccoli softens up a bit as it absorbs some of the liquid.

Broccoli salad with bacon, cheese and onions

Then just dish it up and enjoy!

Like we said, it's got a flavor profile like a good coleslaw but the broccoli and bacon and onions and cheese gives it a nice twist. It's sweet and tangy and goes great with something heavy and rich.  We usually have it with lasagna or BBQ ribs, or grilled sausage, etc.

Hope you try it and enjoy it!