Southern Broccoli Salad

Southern Broccoli Salad is one of my favorite side dishes! Packed full of broccoli, bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion, and a delicious quick and easy dressing, its really the perfect way to brighten up a sometimes boring vegetable like broccoli.

Ingredients you’ll need:

3 cups of broccoli, chopped into small pieces (I usually buy a bag of broccoli florets and chop them up a little smaller)
5-6 pieces of cooked bacon (see below for the best way to cook bacon)
1/2 a red onion, chopped
1 8 oz block of cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
1 cup of mayonnaise
1/4 cup of sugar
2-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Mix the mayo, sugar, and vinegar together in a small bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients.

Pour the dressing on the salad (I add about half and taste it – sometimes all of the dressing is a bit too much) and mix everything together.

Oven-cooked bacon – perfectly crispy every time!

I was a complete skeptic when someone told me I should try cooking bacon in the oven. I grew up “cooking” bacon in the microwave or, if I was feeling fancy, I’d fry it in a skillet. But once I tried the oven method, I realized how crispy the bacon wa and how much less of a mess it was! Here’s how I do it:

Preheat oven to 425.
Line a baking sheet with foil and put a rack on top of the pan.
Spray the rack with non-stick spray.
Lay the bacon pieces on top of the rack in a single layer.
Cook for about 15-20 minutes (depending on thickness of bacon and your oven).
Let the bacon cool for a couple of minutes. Perfect crispy bacon every time!!

Take this broccoli salad along on your next picnic or potluck dinner. Everyone is sure to love it!