Cowboy Broccoli Salad

 

🥗 Cowboy Broccoli Salad

📝 Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 4 cups broccoli florets (chopped into bite-size pieces)

• 1 cup cooked corn (fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed)

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)

• ½ red onion (thinly sliced or diced)

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• ½ cup cooked bacon (crumbled)

• ½ cup black beans (rinsed and drained)

• ¼ cup pickled jalapeños (optional for heat)

• ¼ cup chopped cilantro

For the dressing:

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lime juice

• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

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🥄 Instructions:

1. Prep the veggies: Wash and chop broccoli, tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. If using fresh corn, lightly steam or grill it before cutting off the kernels.

2. Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar or lime juice, honey, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until creamy and smooth.

3. Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, corn, tomatoes, onion, beans, cheese, bacon, and jalapeños. Pour the dressing over and mix until everything is evenly coated.

4. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

5. Serve: Garnish with chopped cilantro and a little extra bacon or cheese if desired.

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🔄 Variations:

• Make it vegetarian: Skip the bacon or use plant-based bacon crumbles.

• Add crunch: Toss in a handful of crushed tortilla chips or roasted sunflower seeds before serving.

• Spice it up: Add fresh diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the dressing.