Creamy Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Crispy Bacon
Creamy Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Crispy Bacon
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 broccoli, medium heads, chopped into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
- 2 cups water
- 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
For the Creamy Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.
⏱️ 20 min
- 2
While the quinoa cooks, steam the broccoli florets. You can do this in a steamer basket over boiling water or in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water, covered, for 3-5 minutes, until tender-crisp. Immediately plunge the steamed broccoli into an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve its vibrant green color. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon, place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then crumble once cooled. Reserve the bacon fat for another use or discard.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Prepare the creamy dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, cooled broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, grated Parmesan cheese, and finely diced red onion. Pour the creamy dressing over the salad ingredients.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Gently toss all ingredients until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. For best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled.
⏱️ 30 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Crispy Bacon
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 broccoli, medium heads, chopped into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
- 2 cups water
- 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
For the Creamy Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.
⏱️ 20 min - 2
While the quinoa cooks, steam the broccoli florets. You can do this in a steamer basket over boiling water or in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water, covered, for 3-5 minutes, until tender-crisp. Immediately plunge the steamed broccoli into an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve its vibrant green color. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon, place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then crumble once cooled. Reserve the bacon fat for another use or discard.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Prepare the creamy dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, cooled broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, grated Parmesan cheese, and finely diced red onion. Pour the creamy dressing over the salad ingredients.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Gently toss all ingredients until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. For best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled.
⏱️ 30 min