Description
Midwestern charm meets unexpected delight in this popcorn salad, blending crispy kernels with creamy dressing and classic veggie crunch. Comfort food enthusiasts will savor this playful dish that defies traditional salad expectations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 cups plain popped popcorn (air-popped or lightly salted)
- 45 strips cooked bacon, chopped or crumbled
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded or thinly sliced
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 3/4 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup green onions or scallions, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Optional Add-ins:
- Optional: diced cucumbers
- Optional: shredded carrots
- Optional: radishes
Instructions
- Render bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp, transferring to paper towels to absorb excess grease. Crumble into rustic fragments once cooled.
- Dice celery, green onions, and parsley with precision. Carefully blot vegetables to eliminate residual moisture.
- Generate freshly popped kernels using preferred method. Allow slight cooling, then delicately separate any clustered pieces.
- Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, mustard, sugar, and seasoning in a compact vessel until achieving a uniform, silky consistency.
- Transfer popcorn into a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, prepared vegetables, and chopped parsley. Gently cascade dressing across ingredients, folding delicately to distribute flavors without crushing popcorn.
- For enhanced flavor melding, refrigerate salad for approximately 30 minutes at 40°F. Serve chilled or at ambient temperature, ensuring crisp popcorn texture remains intact.
Notes
- Prevent popcorn from getting soggy by adding dressing just before serving, keeping the crispy texture intact.
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich alternative that reduces overall calories.
- Toast the popcorn kernels slightly before popping to enhance the nutty flavor and add depth to the salad.
- Consider using gluten-free bacon and mustard for those with dietary restrictions, making the recipe more inclusive.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg