Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
A refreshing, crunchy, and creamy salad that’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or as a healthy side dish!
Description
This Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is a no-lettuce, veggie-packed, cold salad with crisp broccoli and cauliflower florets tossed in a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing. It’s loaded with texture and flavor — thanks to the addition of crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and sunflower seeds or nuts. It’s easy to make, travels well, and is always a crowd-pleaser.
Time Required
Step Duration
Prep time 15–20 minutes
Chill time (optional) 30+ minutes
Total Time ~20–50 minutes
Ingredients
For the Salad:
1 medium head broccoli, chopped into small florets (~3 cups)
1 medium head cauliflower, chopped into small florets (~3 cups)
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sunflower seeds or chopped pecans (optional)
6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
For the Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise (or half mayo, half Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prep the vegetables
Wash and dry the broccoli and cauliflower.
Chop into small, bite-sized florets (not too large).
Dice the red onion finely.
2. Make the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together:
1 cup mayo
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
3. Combine the salad
In a large bowl, add:
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Red onion
Cheddar cheese
Sunflower seeds or nuts
Crumbled bacon
4. Toss with dressing
Pour dressing over the salad.
Mix until everything is evenly coated.
5. Chill (optional but recommended)
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
This helps the flavors blend and mellows the raw onion taste.
Substitutions & Add-ins
Ingredient Substitute / Add-ins
Mayo Greek yogurt, sour cream, or light mayo
Bacon Turkey bacon, veggie bacon, or omit
Cheese Colby Jack, mozzarella, or goat cheese
Nuts/Seeds Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or none
Sweetener Honey or maple syrup instead of sugar
Red Onion Green onions or shallots
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Best consumed within 3 days.
Not freezer-friendly due to the creamy dressing.
Common Questions & Answers
Q1: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it tastes better after chilling for a few hours. Just don’t mix in the bacon until ready to serve to keep it crispy.
Q2: Can I make it vegetarian or vegan?
Vegetarian: Omit bacon or use veggie bacon.
Vegan: Use vegan mayo and vegan cheese alternatives.
Q3: Do I have to cook the broccoli and cauliflower?
No. This is a raw salad. But if you prefer a softer texture, blanch the vegetables for 1–2 minutes, then plunge them into ice water to cool quickly.
Q4: What dishes go well with this salad?
This salad pairs well with:
Grilled chicken or steak
Burgers or BBQ ribs
Sandwiches or wraps
Picnic or potluck spreads
Q5: Can I use store-bought dressing?
You can, but the homemade dressing is much tastier and easy to make. Look for a coleslaw-style or creamy vinaigrette dressing if using store-bought.
Servings
Serves: 6–8 as a side dish
Easily doubled for a larger crowd