Bacon Broccoli Salad

I hope y'all have been having as much fun this month as we have!  Since the 4th of July I have had family in town all the way from Seattle and we have been busy soaking up all Texas has to offer this summer - whew!  They're on their way back today {sniff} so I thought I would sit down and share a recipe with you that I made over the holiday because it was a Texas-sized hit at our gathering this year!

I became a fan of broccoli salad several years ago when I tried a sample at a tea room in town known for its lunch fare with a Texas twist.  Sadly, our local eatery closed last year and I have been dreaming of somehow re-creating that delicious flavor combination ever since!

I decided to give it a try for our family's 4th of July celebration, and with help from a little 'insider information' from a former employee and some guidance from the gals at the cooking counter in our local grocery, I think I've come pretty close!  So, here's my ode to The Texas Tea Room (may she rest in peace) and all it's tasty goodness!

Bacon Broccoli Salad

3 broccoli crowns, chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
12 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 C roasted sunflower seeds
1 1/2 C sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (14 oz) bottle bacon vinaigrette dressing
1 C mayo

Combine broccoli, bacon, onion, sunflower seeds and cheese in large mixing bowl. Mix dressing and mayo together in separate bowl. Pour dressing mix over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes about 12 cups.

 

This is a Texas-sized recipe for sure, so you may want to cut it in half if you're not trying to feed a crowd.   The red onion and sharp cheddar cheese give this salad a real 'Texas' flavor, but you could substitute your favorite flavor of onion, cheese and seeds or nuts to give it your own twist!

 

This salad is dee-licious, and super simple to make.  And once you do, you'll be hooked!

 

Happy summer y'all!

 

Sharing this sassy recipe at some or all of these great parties: Under the Table and Dreaming, Totally Overflowing with Creativity, Three Mango Seeds, Classy Cutter, Serenity You, House of Hepworth, Skip to my Lou, LadyBug Blessings, Nap Time Creations, The Style Sisters, Polkadots on Parade, Rae Gun Ramblings,Costal Charm, Not Just a Housewife, Domestically Speaking, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Sumos Sweet Stuff, The Gunny Sack, Gingersnap Crafts, Southern Lovely, Lil Luna, Someday Crafts, The NY Melrose Family, The DIY Dreamer, The Blackberry Vine, Homeworks, The Rustic Pig, Cornerstone Confessions, Kathe with an E, House on the Way, PJH Desgin, Glued to my Crafts, The Crafty Blog Stalker, Seven Alive, Made in a Day, Live Laugh and Love, A Creative Place, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, Home and Gardens, It Happens In a Blink, I Gotta Create, Domestic Super Hero, All Pretty Things, Katie's Nesting Spot, 52 Mantels, Truly Lovely, Twinkle in the Eye, Happy Hour Projects, Six Sisters Stuff, Tutus and Tea Parties, Mop It Up Monday, Saturday Show and Tell, Moonlight and Mason Jars, The Scoop, Wow Us Wednesdays, Take-A-Look Tuesday