Broccoli Cauliflower Bacon Salad
This Broccoli Cauliflower Bacon Salad is a classic side dish for any picnic or potluck that’s been in our family for years. It’s quick to make in 30 minutes and is easy to prep ahead, in fact the flavors only get better!
I love finding a good salad side dish that everyone loves and is easy to transport or prep ahead for backyard barbecues and parties. This Broccoli Cauliflower Bacon Salad is one of my family’s favorites. I grew up eating this recipe and now make it for my kids!
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It’s crunchy, fresh, and smoky all in one bite – nothing better! And it’s a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies too! Pair it with Barbecue Cheddar Chicken or Balsamic Marinated Steak.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll love this Recipe
- Easy, creamy homemade dressing. You’ll never buy another salad dressing again after making this delicious dressing.
- Customize the salad to your liking. It’s easy to add protein, other cheeses, or even other veggies if you desire.
- Prep ahead of time. This salad gets better as it sits in the fridge, so it’s perfect to make a few hours before guests arrive.
Ingredients
Scroll down for specific ingredient amounts in the recipe card.
Salad:
- Chopped cauliflower: Crunchy and mild in flavor it’s a great base for this salad.
- Chopped broccoli: Pairs with the cauliflower for a fresh, veggie bite.
- Quartered grapes: Sweet and juicy to compliment the creamy dressing.
- Sliced red onion: Just the right amount of tang to bring all the flavors together.
- Sliced green onions: Adds light onion flavor and bright color.
- Cooked and crumbled bacon: Smoky and crunchy, the ingredient that makes this salad so addicting.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: A hint of cheesy goodness.
- Sunflower seeds: Adds a nutty crunch that’s rich in flavor.
Dressing:
- Mayonnaise: Creamy base to the dressing.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a hint of acid to elevate all of the flavors.
- Black pepper: Gives rich, spicy peppery notes.
- Sugar, honey or sugar substitute: A little hint of sweetness to balance the vinegar.
- Juice of half a lemon: Gives vibrant taste!
Tools You’ll Need
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Tongs
- Cutting Board
- Chef’s Knife
- Liquid Measuring Cups
- Dry Measuring Cups and Spoons
How to Make Broccoli Cauliflower Bacon Salad
- In a small bowl combine mayo, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, sugar, and lemon juice.
- In a large bowl, combine cauliflower, broccoli, grapes, red onion, green onions, bacon, cheese, and sunflower seeds. Combine well.
- Add the prepared dressing, and fold the mixture until all of the pieces are coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Expert Tips
- Marinate the salad to help the flavors meld. Allow the salad to sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Chop the cauliflower and broccoli in the food processor for ease. This takes a couple of seconds and is much less mess than by hand.
- Shred the cheese from the block. This is key for the best flavor and texture in every bite. You can try a different type of cheese if you desire too.
- Toast the sunflower seeds for a richer flavor. You can toast them in the oven or on the stovetop in a skillet.
- Swap the grapes. Instead you can use dried cranberries, raisins, dried cherries, chopped oranges, mandarin oranges, or chopped apple.
Storage
Store in the refrigerator. Eat within 2 to 3 days, as the broccoli and cauliflower will eventually soften and the bacon will lose its crispness the longer it sits in the dressing.
Before eating leftovers, give the salad a thorough toss to redistribute any dressing that may have settled at the bottom of the container.
Do not attempt to freeze, as the creamy dressing and raw vegetables will break down and become mushy once thawed.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you actually chop them up fine when they are raw to make a fresh and crunchy side dish.
Of course, we love them for their fruity sweetness, but it’s totally find if you leave them out. You can replace them with dried cranberries, raisins, dried cherries, chopped oranges, mandarin oranges, or chopped apple.
You can easily swap Greek yogurt for mayo or if you want an olive oil based salad dressing, it also works, just not as delicious in our opinion!
More Easy Salad Recipes
Broccoli Cauliflower Bacon Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups chopped cauliflower
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 cup quartered grapes
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- 2 sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon sugar, honey or sugar substitute
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine mayo, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, sugar, and lemon juice.
- In a large bowl, combine cauliflower, broccoli, grapes, red onion, green onions, bacon, cheese, and sunflower seeds. Combine well.
- Add the prepared dressing, and fold the mixture until all of the pieces are coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Storage
Store in the refrigerator. Eat within 2 to 3 days, as the broccoli and cauliflower will eventually soften and the bacon will lose its crispness the longer it sits in the dressing. Before eating leftovers, give the salad a thorough toss to redistribute any dressing that may have settled at the bottom of the container. Do not attempt to freeze, as the creamy dressing and raw vegetables will break down and become mushy once thawed.Expert Tips
- Marinate the salad to help the flavors meld. Allow the salad to sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Chop the cauliflower and broccoli in the food processor for ease. This takes a couple of seconds and is much less mess than by hand.
- Shred the cheese from the block. This is key for the best flavor and texture in every bite. You can try a different type of cheese if you desire too.
- Toast the sunflower seeds for a richer flavor. You can toast them in the oven or on the stovetop in a skillet.
- Swap the grapes. Instead you can use dried cranberries, raisins, dried cherries, chopped oranges, mandarin oranges, or chopped apple.
Nutrition
About Laura
Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more…
