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Flavorful Lemon Herb Broccoli Salad Recipe with Crispy Bacon Bits Easy and Best

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A fresh and vibrant broccoli salad featuring a lemon-herb dressing and crispy bacon bits, perfect for quick side dishes and potlucks without heavy mayo.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional)
  • Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Place 6 thick-cut bacon strips in a cold frying pan, then set over medium heat. Cook, flipping occasionally, until crispy (about 8-10 minutes). Transfer to paper towels to drain and crumble once cool.
  2. Rinse and chop broccoli into bite-sized florets, aiming for uniform pieces so they soak up the dressing evenly.
  3. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1/4 cup sunflower seeds for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat to cool.
  4. Finely dice 1/4 cup red onion, then chop 2 tablespoons fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon fresh dill. Set aside.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, combine juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons), 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, red onion, toasted sunflower seeds, chopped herbs, and crispy bacon bits. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat.
  7. Let the salad sit in the fridge for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

Notes

Chill the salad before serving to allow flavors to meld and broccoli to become tender-crisp. Add extra bacon or seeds just before serving for maximum crunch. Starting bacon in a cold pan prevents curling and promotes even crispness. Use fresh herbs for best flavor. For a nut-free version, omit sunflower seeds or substitute with nuts if preferred.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, lemon herb salad, bacon salad, healthy side dish, quick salad, potluck recipe, summer salad

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