Zesty Garden Crunch: Fresh Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe

Crisp summer days call for refreshing side dishes with a broccoli cauliflower salad recipe that bursts with flavor and nutrition.

Fresh vegetables mingle with a creamy dressing, creating a delightful crunch in every bite.

Chilled and vibrant, this colorful medley brings excitement to your meal plate.

The combination of tender broccoli and cauliflower provides a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

Tangy dressing coats each vegetable piece, enhancing natural flavors with a delicate touch.

Packed with vitamins and minerals, this salad offers a healthy alternative to traditional sides.

You’ll love how simple ingredients come together to create a memorable dish that everyone will enjoy.

Dive into this easy and delicious recipe for a summer sensation that’s sure to impress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything In Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

• Broccoli: Crisp green veggie packed with nutrients, look for tight, vibrant green florets without yellow spots.
• Cauliflower: Creamy white vegetable with a mild flavor, choose firm heads with compact, unblemished clusters.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and tangy dairy element that adds rich, creamy texture to the salad.
• Red Onion: Zesty and colorful ingredient that provides a subtle bite and crunch.
• Dried Cranberries: Sweet-tart jewels that bring a burst of fruity brightness to the dish.
• Sunflower Seeds: Nutty, crunchy kernels offering a delightful textural contrast.
• Bacon: Smoky, crispy protein that delivers an irresistible savory punch.

• Mayonnaise: Smooth, silky base that binds the salad together with a rich consistency.
• Sugar: Balances the tanginess and adds a subtle sweetness to the dressing.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Bright, tangy liquid that cuts through richness and adds depth.
• Salt: Enhances and rounds out all the flavors in the salad.
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle warmth and gentle spiciness to the dressing.

Kitchen Tools For Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Prep

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container perfect for combining all salad ingredients and tossing with dressing.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for whisking together creamy, tangy dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending dressing components into a silky, uniform mixture.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping broccoli, cauliflower, and other fresh ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Precise tool for cutting vegetables into bite-sized, uniform pieces.
• Measuring Spoons: Accurate measuring for salt, sugar, and other dressing ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Handy for shredding fresh cheddar cheese quickly.

Steps To Toss Up Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Fast

• Veggie Prep

Grab your broccoli and cauliflower, chopping them into playful little bites. Think fun, bite-sized pieces that’ll make everyone smile at the first taste.

• Flavor Explosion

Sprinkle in sharp cheddar cheese, zesty red onion, sweet cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and crispy bacon bits. Each ingredient brings its own personality to the party.

• Magic Dressing

Whip up a creamy sauce that’ll make taste buds dance. Mix smooth mayo with a touch of sweetness, tangy vinegar, and a pinch of seasoning until everything blends perfectly.

• Mix and Mingle

Pour the dreamy dressing over your veggie mixture. Toss everything together so each morsel gets coated in deliciousness. No shy ingredients allowed!

• Chill and Thrill

Let your salad hang out in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This gives all those amazing flavors time to get to know each other and create something extraordinary. Serve cold and watch everyone dig in with excitement.

Fresh Tips For Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Flavor

• Salad Perfection Secrets: Crisp and Flavorful Broccoli Cauliflower Delight
• Veggie Prep Pro Tip: Pat the broccoli and cauliflower completely dry after washing to prevent watery salad and ensure the dressing clings perfectly to each morsel.
• Bacon Brilliance: For extra crunch, cook bacon until extra crispy and let it cool completely before crumbling to maintain that satisfying texture throughout the salad.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This salad tastes even better when prepared a day in advance, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify in the refrigerator overnight.
• Dietary Flexibility: Easily transform this salad into a vegetarian delight by omitting bacon and adding roasted sunflower seeds or almonds for protein and crunch.
• Lightened-Up Version: Swap traditional mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a lighter mayo alternative to reduce calories while maintaining the creamy texture everyone loves.

Crisp Ways To Serve Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

• Fresh Summer Picnic Companion: Pack this vibrant salad in a portable container for outdoor gatherings, beach trips, or backyard barbecues where refreshing side dishes shine.
• Protein Power Lunch: Transform the salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken strips or hard-boiled eggs on top, creating a satisfying and nutritious midday option.
• Colorful Party Platter: Arrange the salad in a beautiful serving dish, garnish with extra herbs like chopped chives or parsley, and watch guests gravitate toward this eye-catching, delicious creation.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this salad a day in advance, letting the flavors deepen and intensify, making meal prep easier and ensuring a delectable side dish that tastes even better after resting overnight.

How To Store Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Just Right

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Refrigerate the salad in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crispness for up to 3-4 days.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep bacon and seeds separate until serving to prevent sogginess and maintain optimal texture.
• Advance Preparation Hack: Chop vegetables and mix dry ingredients separately from dressing, combining just before serving to retain maximum crunchiness.
• Temperature Care Tip: Always serve chilled and avoid leaving the salad at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth and ensure food safety.

Vibrant Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Crisp broccoli cauliflower salad blends garden-fresh ingredients with zesty dressing for a delightful side dish. Green and white cruciferous vegetables create a crunchy, satisfying combination that delivers bold flavor and nutritional benefits.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups broccoli florets (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
• 3 cups cauliflower florets (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
• 6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
• ¼ cup red onion (diced)
• ⅓ cup sunflower seeds (or slivered almonds)
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries (or raisins)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar (or honey)
• 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously rinse broccoli and cauliflower, pat dry, and chop into uniform bite-sized florets, ensuring pristine cleanliness and appealing presentation.
2. Ingredient Assembly: In a generous mixing bowl, combine chopped vegetables with shredded cheddar, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon, creating a vibrant and textured base.
3. Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl until the mixture transforms into a silky, well-integrated sauce.
4. Flavor Fusion: Gently drizzle the dressing over the salad, using delicate folding techniques to thoroughly coat each ingredient without compromising their structural integrity, ensuring a harmonious flavor profile.
5. Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify. Just before serving, give a final gentle toss to revive the salad’s texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Prep Vegetables Thoroughly: Rinse broccoli and cauliflower meticulously to remove all dirt, then pat completely dry to prevent watery salad and ensure crisp texture.
• Balance Flavor Layers: Distribute cheese, onions, cranberries, seeds, and bacon evenly to create a perfect bite with balanced taste and textural contrast.
• Whisk Dressing Smoothly: Combine mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper with vigorous whisking to create a creamy, well-integrated sauce that coats ingredients uniformly.
• Marinate for Maximum Taste: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg