The Best Broccoli Salad

The Best Broccoli Salad puts balsamic vinegar, to ¾ cup and finely diced shallot or red onion at the center of a meatless recipe and finishes in about 140 minutes, enough for 8 servings.

• Yield 8 servings
• Ready in 140 minutes

Ingredients

Dressing

• ¾ cup ( 175 g ) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup ( 53 g ) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Salad

• 1 ½ pounds ( 450 to 600 g ) fresh broccoli, chopped into small bite-sized pieces (about 8 to 10 cups)
• 1 cup ( 135 g ) craisins or golden raisins
• ½ to ¾ cup ( 75 to 100 g ) sunflower seeds
• ¼ cup finely diced shallot or red onion
• 1 cup ( 113 g ) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, toss the salad ingredients together.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
4. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. Right before serving, give the salad another good toss to recombine any dressing that may have settled at the bottom.
5. Garnish the top of the salad with additional bacon crumbles, craisins, shredded cheese, or sunflower seeds, if desired.

Dress it just before it goes to the table so the leaves stay crisp.