The Tastiest Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe Ever

Crisp summer days call for a delightful broccoli cauliflower salad that packs incredible flavor and nutrition into every bite.

Crunchy florets mingle with smoky bacon bits, creating a mouthwatering combination that feels like a party on your plate.

Creamy dressing coats each vegetable, bringing tangy richness to each spoonful.

Chunks of sharp cheddar cheese add unexpected depth and complexity to this vibrant dish.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, making meal prep a breeze for busy individuals.

Fresh herbs sprinkled on top provide a delicate, aromatic finish that elevates the entire experience.

You’ll want to make this recipe again and again, sharing its deliciousness with everyone around your table.

What Makes Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Great

• Boost Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with broccoli and cauliflower, this salad delivers a serious punch of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that'll make your body thank you.
• Create Flavor Explosion: Crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and tangy dressing combine to create a mouthwatering blend of tastes that dance on your taste buds.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add extra toppings to make this salad your own personal culinary masterpiece, perfect for any dietary preference or craving.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: A guaranteed hit at potlucks, family gatherings, and summer barbecues that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

What You’ll Need For Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

• Broccoli: A vibrant green vegetable that provides a nutritious and crunchy base for the salad.
• Cauliflower: A white cruciferous vegetable that complements broccoli with its mild flavor and tender texture.

• Bacon, Cheddar Cheese: Bacon adds a savory crunch, while cheddar cheese brings rich, creamy depth to the salad.

• Red Onion: Adds a sharp, mild bite and visual interest to the salad.
• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Create a creamy and tangy dressing base.
• Apple Cider Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Black Pepper: Provide balanced seasoning and brightness to the dressing.

• Sunflower Seeds: Offer a delightful nutty crunch and additional texture to the final dish.

How To Prepare Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Step 1: Prep the Veggie Stars

Chop broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Make sure the pieces are roughly the same size so they cook and look awesome together.

Step 2: Sizzle the Bacon

Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it turns golden brown and gets super crispy. Once done, crumble it into tiny, irresistible pieces.

Step 3: Slice the Onion Elegantly

Finely dice the red onion into small, delicate pieces that will spread a zesty punch throughout the salad.

Step 4: Whip Up the Magic Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until the dressing becomes smooth and perfectly blended.

Step 5: Build the Veggie Foundation

Toss the broccoli and cauliflower florets into a large mixing bowl, creating a colorful and nutritious base.

Step 6: Layer on the Flavor Boosters

• Crumbled bacon
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Diced red onion

These ingredients will add crazy good flavor and texture.

Step 7: Dress and Toss

Pour the creamy dressing over the salad. Gently mix everything so each bite gets coated with deliciousness.

Step 8: Add Crunch Factor

Scatter sunflower seeds on top for an extra nutty, crispy element.

Step 9: Chill and Enhance

Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes. This lets all the flavors hang out and get to know each other, making the salad even more incredible.

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Tips And Tricks

• Prep with Precision: Chop broccoli and cauliflower into uniform bite-sized florets for consistent texture and even cooking.
• Bacon Brilliance: Crisp bacon in a skillet until golden brown, then crumble into small pieces for maximum flavor distribution.
• Dressing Perfection: Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth for a creamy, tangy sauce that complements the vegetables.
• Chill for Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to blend and enhance their taste profile.
• Seed Sensation: Sprinkle sunflower seeds on top for an added crunch and nutty dimension that elevates the entire dish.

Variations For Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

• Vegan Veggie Swap: Replace bacon with tempeh bacon or coconut bacon bits, use vegan mayonnaise and cashew cream instead of traditional dairy products for a plant-based version.
• Low-Carb Keto Edition: Swap sugar with stevia or erythritol, increase bacon and cheese portions, add extra nuts like chopped almonds for additional healthy fats.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Substitute cheddar with crumbled feta cheese, add kalamata olives, replace sunflower seeds with pine nuts, and include fresh herbs like oregano and parsley.
• Spicy Kickback Version: Mix in diced jalapeños, use smoked paprika in dressing, add red pepper flakes, incorporate pepper jack cheese for extra heat and zesty flavor profile.

What Pairs With Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc's bright acidity and herbal notes complement the salad's creamy dressing and fresh vegetables, cutting through the richness of bacon and cheese.
• Create Protein-Packed Companion: Grilled chicken breast seasoned with herbs provides a lean protein boost that enhances the salad's savory elements without overwhelming its delicate flavors.
• Match with Hearty Side: Warm garlic-roasted sourdough bread offers a crunchy texture contrast and absorbs the tangy dressing, creating a satisfying complete meal experience.
• Elevate with Refreshing Beverage: Sparkling water with lemon slice cleanses the palate between bites, highlighting the salad's complex flavor profile and cutting through the creamy dressing.

Keeping Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Fresh

• Transfer salad to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate dressing from salad to prevent soggy vegetables and maintain crisp texture.
• Not recommended due to mayonnaise-based dressing and fresh vegetables, which will break down and lose quality when thawed.
• Store leftover dressing separately in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring freshness and preventing bacterial growth.
• Consume cold directly from the refrigerator for best taste. If desired, let salad sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and soften vegetables slightly.

FAQ For Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

• Is this salad healthy?

This broccoli cauliflower salad offers excellent nutritional benefits with low-carb vegetables, protein from bacon, and nutrients from fresh ingredients. It’s a balanced dish packed with vitamins and minerals.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this salad a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and add crunchy ingredients like sunflower seeds just before serving to maintain their texture.

• How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Replace bacon with roasted sunflower seeds or crispy chickpeas for a protein-rich alternative. Use vegetarian cheese or nutritional yeast to maintain the savory flavor profile.

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Scrumptious loaded broccoli cauliflower salad brings California-style freshness to your table with crisp vegetables and zesty dressing. Creamy bacon bits and tangy cheese create a perfect balance that satisfies hunger while delighting taste buds.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups cauliflower florets

Protein:

• 1/2 cup bacon bits
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Dressing and Additional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Chop broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent texture and even cooking.
2. Crisp bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and perfectly crunchy, then crumble into small, delectable bits.
3. Dice red onion into fine, translucent pieces to distribute mild, sharp flavor throughout the salad.
4. Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl until smooth and well-integrated, creating a creamy, tangy dressing.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli and cauliflower florets, allowing them to serve as the vibrant, nutritious base of the salad.
6. Sprinkle crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced red onion over the vegetables, adding layers of savory complexity.
7. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, gently tossing to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated and flavored.
8. Garnish with sunflower seeds, providing a delightful crunch and nutty undertone to the dish.
9. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify, creating a refreshing and satisfying salad.

Notes

• Prep broccoli and cauliflower uniformly to ensure even texture and consistent cooking throughout the salad.
• Cook bacon until extra crispy for maximum crunch, allowing it to add a smoky, savory element to the dish.
• Consider using turkey bacon or omitting bacon for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly version that still maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Make dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator to let flavors develop and intensify before mixing with salad ingredients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg