Description
Paula Deen’s broccoli salad combines crisp broccoli with smoky bacon, tangy red onions, and a creamy dressing. Guests savor this Southern-style side dish that brings together classic comfort and fresh ingredients for a memorable culinary experience you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 head broccoli
- 8 ounces (226 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, cut into very small chunks
- 6 to 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup (75 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup (80 grams) chopped red onion
Creamy and Sweet Components:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar
- ½ cup (75 grams) optional raisins
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) white vinegar
Instructions
- Meticulously trim and cleanse the broccoli by removing large outer leaves and tough lower stalks, ensuring a thorough rinse under cool running water. Slice the vegetable into uniform, bite-sized florets and stem pieces, depositing them into a spacious mixing vessel.
- Enhance the base by incorporating crisp, crumbled bacon pieces, finely diced red onion, sweet golden raisins, and robust cheddar cheese cubes into the broccoli foundation.
- Craft a creamy dressing by whisking together granulated sugar (1/2 cup or 100 grams), tangy white vinegar (1/4 cup or 60 milliliters), and rich, smooth mayonnaise (1 cup or 240 milliliters) until the mixture achieves a harmonious, silky consistency.
- Delicately drizzle the prepared dressing over the broccoli medley, using gentle folding motions to ensure each ingredient is luxuriously coated and evenly distributed.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify before serving chilled as a delightful side dish.
Notes
- Grab extra-sharp cheddar for maximum tangy punch and depth of flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Crumble bacon until super crispy, creating texture that provides satisfying crackle in every single bite.
- Chop broccoli into tiny, uniform pieces to guarantee perfect dressing coverage and easy eating experience.
- Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create smooth, well-blended sauce that clings perfectly to vegetables.
- Refrigerate salad for minimum one hour, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop rich, complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 196 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 301 mg
- Fat: 13.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 16.3 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6.2 g
- Cholesterol: 701 mg