Planning a holiday meal can feel like a huge task. You have the main course to worry about, desserts to bake, and a table full of hungry guests to please. It is a lot of pressure, right?
That is where amazing side dishes save the day. This broccoli salad is one of those fantastic Thanksgiving recipes side dishes that everyone will talk about. It is fresh, flavorful, and incredibly simple to put together.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Let’s talk about why this dish is a winner for any gathering. First off, it is so easy to make. There is no cooking involved, aside from the bacon. You just chop, mix, and serve. This makes it one of the most easy side dishes for Thanksgiving.
The flavors are just wonderful together. You get the salty crunch from the beef bacon, the sweetness from the raisins, and a nice tang from the creamy dressing. The fresh broccoli and red onion add a great texture that keeps every bite interesting.
It is also a really colorful dish. The bright green broccoli and deep red onion make your holiday table look so much more festive. This is one of those Thanksgiving food ideas that looks as good as it tastes.
Plus, it’s a great option for Friendsgiving food ideas because you can make it ahead. This saves you so much time on the big day. Who doesn’t love a recipe that makes life easier?
Ingredients
For The Salad
- 12 slices cooked beef bacon, crumbled
- 1 large head broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
For The Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup white sugar or to taste
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
First things first, let’s get everything ready to go. Gather all your salad ingredients. If your beef bacon isn’t cooked yet, now is the time to fry it up until it’s nice and crispy. Let it cool a bit, then crumble it into small pieces.
Next, tackle the broccoli. Wash the head of broccoli well and pat it dry. You want to cut it into small, bite sized florets. This makes the salad much easier to eat. A good tip is to make them about the size of a quarter.
Then, chop your small red onion. A fine chop works best here so you get a little bit of onion in every bite without it being overpowering. Finally, measure out your raisins and sunflower seeds.
Step 2: Combine The Salad Ingredients
Now for the fun part. Grab a large bowl. You will want one with plenty of room for mixing. Add your crumbled beef bacon, broccoli florets, raisins, chopped red onion, and sunflower seeds to the bowl.
Give everything a gentle toss to distribute all the ingredients evenly. You want to see all those beautiful colors and textures mixed together. This is a key step for creating one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes.
Step 3: Make The Dressing
Let’s make that creamy, tangy dressing. In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the mayonnaise, white sugar, and apple cider vinegar. This simple combination is what brings the whole salad to life.
Whisk these three ingredients together until the dressing is completely smooth. You want to make sure all the sugar is dissolved into the mayonnaise and vinegar. It should look creamy and pourable.
Step 4: Dress The Salad
It’s time to bring it all together. Pour the smooth dressing over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl. Use a large spoon or spatula to stir everything together. Make sure every single piece of broccoli is coated in that delicious dressing.
You can serve it right away, or you can let it chill in the refrigerator for an hour or so. This allows the flavors to meld together even more. Honestly, it is one of the most flexible Thanksgiving recipes side dishes.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. Just place the salad in an airtight container and pop it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to three days.
The salad might even taste better the next day. The broccoli softens just a little bit and soaks up all the flavor from the dressing. It makes for a great lunch or a quick snack.
Tips
Want to customize this recipe? Go for it. You can easily swap the sunflower seeds for chopped pecans or walnuts for a different kind of crunch. Dried cranberries also work well in place of raisins if you prefer a tarter flavor.
For the dressing, feel free to adjust the sweetness. Start with a little less sugar, taste it, and add more until it’s just right for you. Some people prefer a tangier dressing, while others like it sweeter.
If you are making this ahead of time, a great tip is to keep the dressing separate. Combine all the salad ingredients in your serving bowl, cover it, and store it in the fridge. Mix the dressing and store it in a separate container. Then, just pour and toss right before serving. This keeps everything extra crisp.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A wonderfully simple, delicious, and crowd pleasing recipe that fits right in with your other Thanksgiving recipes side dishes. It’s a fresh and flavorful addition that offers a nice contrast to the richer, heavier dishes often found on the holiday table.
Whether you’re looking for new Thanksgiving food ideas or just need some easy side dishes for Thanksgiving, this broccoli salad is a fantastic choice. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we do.
FAQ
Can I Make This Salad Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you absolutely can. For the best results, you can prepare the salad and the dressing up to 24 hours in advance. Just store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Combine them just before you are ready to serve.
What Can I Substitute For Beef Bacon?
If you don’t have beef bacon, regular pork bacon works just as well. For a vegetarian option, you could try using a smoked or savory baked tofu, or even some roasted chickpeas for a similar crunch.
Is This One Of The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes For A Crowd?
It certainly is. This recipe is very easy to double or even triple if you are feeding a large group. It’s a popular choice because it caters to different tastes and adds a fresh element to the meal. It is a solid choice among the best Thanksgiving side dishes.
Can I Use A Different Type Of Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar gives it a specific tang, but you could experiment. White wine vinegar would be a good substitute. I would avoid stronger vinegars like balsamic as they might overpower the other flavors in this particular dish.
Easy Broccoli Salad
This easy broccoli salad is a fresh, flavorful, and simple side dish perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings. It combines salty beef bacon, sweet raisins, crisp broccoli, and a creamy, tangy dressing for delightful texture and taste.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Gather all your salad ingredients. If your beef bacon isn’t cooked yet, fry it until crispy, then let it cool and crumble.
- Wash and pat dry the head of broccoli, then cut it into small, bite-sized florets. Chop the small red onion finely. Finally, measure out your raisins and sunflower seeds.
- In a large bowl, combine the crumbled beef bacon, broccoli florets, raisins, chopped red onion, and sunflower seeds. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, white sugar, and apple cider vinegar until smooth and the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the smooth dressing over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl. Stir everything together with a large spoon or spatula, ensuring every piece of broccoli is coated.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for an hour or more to allow the flavors to meld. The salad will stay fresh for up to three days in an airtight container.
Notes
Want to customize this recipe? You can easily swap the sunflower seeds for chopped pecans or walnuts for a different kind of crunch. Dried cranberries also work well in place of raisins if you prefer a tarter flavor.
For the dressing, feel free to adjust the sweetness. Start with a little less sugar, taste it, and add more until it’s just right for you. Some people prefer a tangier dressing, while others like it sweeter.
If you are making this ahead of time, a great tip is to keep the dressing separate. Combine all the salad ingredients in your serving bowl, cover it, and store it in the fridge. Mix the dressing and store it in a separate container. Then, just pour and toss right before serving. This keeps everything extra crisp.
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