This Cauliflower Broccoli Salad will reign as king of your summer bbq. Packed with crunchy vegetables and bursting with flavor, tossed in a tangy creamy dressing. This recipe is a crowd pleaser!
Everyone needs a tasty broccoli salad recipe and this one won't disappoint. Enjoy this salad year round, bring to a summer bbq, or during your holiday feasts. Easy to throw together in about 20 minutes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Packed with Nutrition - Raw Broccoli and Cauliflower are high in minerals and antioxidants and Vitamin C, Vitamin K and fibre
- Fast and Easy - easy to chop and throw together in about 20 minutes
- Flavor Combo - crunchy texture from vegetables balanced with bacon and cheese with an easy tangy dressing tastes amazing, your kids will love it
- Make it Your Own - tips to personalize with your favorite additions and variations
Ingredients
- Cauliflower - chopped into small florets
- Broccoli - chopped into small florets
- Bacon - cooked til crispy, then crumbled
- Cheddar Cheese - cut into small cubes
- Red Onion - adds a vibrant flavor
- Creamy Dressing - mayo, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and salt
How to Make Cauliflower Broccoli Salad
- Cut Vegetables - chop the cauliflower and broccoli into small florets (should be equal amounts), and thinly slice ½ a red onion.
- Prepare Bacon - fry bacon until crispy, place on paper towels to absorb grease, chop into small pieces
- Cut Cheese - cube cheddar into bite size pieces
- Mix - place all ingredients in bowl, toss with dressing.
- Chill - cover with cling wrap and place in fridge to allow flavors to meld together. Serve chilled.
Dressing for Broccoli Salad
- Whisk - in a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, white vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and salt.
- Dissolve - Pro Tip! Dissolve the sugar in lemon juice and vinegar before adding it to the mayonnaise.
- Pour - generously pour over broccoli salad.
Cauliflower Broccoli Salad Variations
Here are some personalizations and ideas to add what you love into your Cauliflower Broccoli Salad.
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Diced Avocado
- Dried Fruit - Cranberries or Raisins
- Nuts - Slivered Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts
- Seeds - Sunflower Seeds, Pinenuts, Pumpkin Seeds
- Crunchy Ramen Noodles
- Sweet Red Peppers
- Feta Cheese
- Roasted Chickpeas
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Lighter Dressing - Swap the mayo for Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt for a lighter taste
- Easy Bacon Bits - instead of frying your own bacon, sprinkle bacon bits
- Fresh Herbs - chop parsley, cilantro or dill for a burst of summer freshness
- Citrus Burst - before serving, squeeze a lemon over the salad for a pop of freshness that complements the dressing and vegetables
- Change the Cheese - substitute with Colby Cheese, Monterrey Jack, Edam or Gouda
Can You Make Cauliflower Broccoli Salad in Advance?
Absolutely, this is a great salad to make ahead of time for potlucks or picnics. Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and keep refrigerated. Toss the dressing when you're ready to serve to maximize the crispness of vegetables.
Storage
Place in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Enjoy within 2 to 3 days. Note: the vegetables will soften over time when tossed in the dressing.
Salad Dressing Ideas
Changing up your salad dressing in the Broccoli Cauliflower Salad, can elevate this recipe. Use your favorite dressing for a twist on this popular recipe. Here are some suggestions.
- French Salad Dressing - a surprising twist that's delicious
- Ranch Dressing - homemade ranch tastes way better
- Blue Cheese Dressing - one of my favorites for this salad
- Creamy Sweet Chili Dressing - adds an Asian twist
- Italian Dressing - or can use any vinaigrette
- Poppyseed Dressing - sweet and tangy dressing
- Asian Sesame Dressing
- Honey Mustard - another creamy crowd pleaser
This Cauliflower Broccoli Salad is easy to make, full of flavor, with a quick homemade dressing. Crunchy, tasty and with all that cheese and bacon, the kids won't even complain that they're eating vegetables. Also try the Greek Lettuce Salad (Maroulosalata) for a quick salad recipe. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Ingredients
- 2 heads broccoli chopped into small florets
- 1 small cauliflower chopped into small florets
- 1 pound (500g) bacon rashers crispy fried and chopped or crumbled
- 14 oz (400g) cheese cubed
- ½ red onion chopped
Broccoli Salad Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup sugar or to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cut Vegetables - chop the cauliflower and broccoli into small florets (should be equal amounts), and thinly slice ½ a red onion.
- Prepare Bacon - fry bacon until crispy, place on paper towels to absorb grease, chop into small pieces
- Cut Cheese - cube cheddar into bite size pieces
- Mix - place all ingredients in bowl, toss with dressing.
- Chill - cover with cling wrap and place in fridge to allow flavors to meld together. Serve chilled.
Broccoli Salad Dressing
- Whisk - in a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, white vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and salt.
- Dissolve - Pro Tip! Dissolve the sugar in lemon juice and vinegar before adding it to the mayonnaise.
- Pour - generously pour over broccoli salad.
©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted August 2017, updated April 2024
