This quick and easy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe combines fresh broccoli and cauliflower florets with sliced almonds, red onion, sharp cheddar, and bacon, all in a creamy three-ingredient mayo dressing. It is the perfect side dish with plenty of flavor and crunch for all your spring and summer grilling and barbecuing.
I love to serve this with Grilled Marinated Chicken and Dry Rub Grilled Pork Tenderloin. It is always a huge hit at potlucks, family reunions, and picnics.
How to make Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Start by cooking your bacon until it is nice and crispy. Coarsely chop it when it cools. Then whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, and cider vinegar. Next, cut your veggies into bite-size pieces and place them in a large bowl. Add the sliced almonds, red onion, cheddar, and chopped bacon. Pour the dressing over the top and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Cut the broccoli and cauliflower florets into fine bite-size pieces avoiding most of the thick stems. Try to cut them close to uniform size, so the salad is aesthetically pleasing.
- The dressing can be mixed up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight in the refrigerator.
- Choose a good quality sharp cheddar and cut it into tiny cubes. It can also be shredded.
- Cook the bacon until crispy so it holds up well in the salad. I like to cook mine in the oven in a single layer on an old baking sheet. Cook at 375 for about 14-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- For a low-carb salad, omit the sugar.
- The salad can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance. However, hold the almonds and bacon. Then toss them in right before serving.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Recipe variations
- Fruit – add dried cranberries, raisins, cherries, or diced apples.
- Nuts and seeds – add chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, or sunflower seeds.
- Cheese – add Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, Muenster, Gruyere, or bleu cheese
Other salad recipes you will love!
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 3 cups broccoli florets cut in bite size pieces
- 3 cups cauliflower florets cut in bite size pieces
- ⅔ cup sliced almonds
- ⅓ cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 cup finely cubed cheddar cheese
- 10 slices crispy cooked bacon coarsely chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sugar, and cider vinegar together.
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli and cauliflower florets, sliced almonds, red onion, cheddar, and chopped bacon.
- Pour the dressing over the top and stir to coat. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Cut the broccoli and cauliflower florets into fine bite-size pieces avoiding most of the thick stems. Try to cut them close to uniform size, so the salad is aesthetically pleasing.
- The dressing can be mixed up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight in the refrigerator.
- Choose a good quality sharp cheddar and cut it into tiny cubes. It can also be shredded.
- Cook the bacon until crispy, so it holds up well in the salad. I like to cook mine in the oven in a single layer on an old baking sheet. Cook at 375 for about 14-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- For a low-carb salad, omit the sugar.
- The salad can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance. However, hold the almonds and bacon. Then toss them in right before serving.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Martha G Jones
Just made this last night and got rave reviews from my husband. It is delicious and is a keeper. Will be making it again soon.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Martha! So glad that you and your husband enjoyed it.
Toni
Such an amazing salad! So flavorful and delicious!
Matt Taylor
You had me at bacon! Seriously I love everything in this dish, and broccoli is one of my favorite veggies. This salad is so good, love it!
Andrea Thueson
I’m drooling, looking at these photos again, and thinking about how tasty this salad is! I made a simple swap out for the sugar, and it was instantly Keto-Friendly! I am so excited to keep making this and having it on hand in my fridge.
Linda
What did you use in place of the sugar?
Toni
I loved how flavorful this is!! Will definitely make it again!
Claudia Lamascolo
This is a favorite using broccoli and cauliflower was genius! we just loved the flavors and a keeper recipe!
Katherine
What a great creamy salad full of nutritious veggies!
Gina
I switch this up with a variety of different nuts and dried fruit each time I make it, so easy and delicious!
Mindee Taylor
One of my favorite recipes! Quick, easy and always a hit!
Jackie
Made this today and it was delicious! My husband and I loved it. Thank you.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jackie! So glad that you like it!
Denise
I have made a version of this recipe for years. It is great. One suggestion is not to put the dressing on until right before you are going to serve it or the morning of.
Elizabeth
Can I replace the sugar with Stevia? Or some other sugar substitute? Also would it be the same amount?
Beth Pierce
I am not sure I do not work with Stevia. Maybe one of the readers will know.
Sarah Baumeister
My husband LOVES broccoli salad! The cauliflower is a great addition.
Alison
Isn’t this the best every broccoli salad! I love the addition of cauliflower. Crunchy and flavorful!
Julia
Love the flavor combo! Plus, anything with bacon is a winner 🙂
Biana
Such a perfect side dish for a summer cookout! The dressing sounds very flavorful.
Jacqueline Meldrum
Looks delicious and perfect timing for a rare sunny weekend here in Scotland.
Claudia Lamascolo
I love the additional sweetness this has and it looks so creamy and delicious a must this Sunday we have a gathering! thanks
Ann
Can I use regular vinegar if I don’t have appke cider vinegar?
Beth Pierce
I am reluctant to tell you that it will be as good. White vinegar has such a strong taste.
Amanda Livesay
One of my favorite summer side dishes! Even my picky eaters love it.
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This Broccoli Cauliflower Salad looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
Jen
I loved the sliced almonds in this side dish. So fresh and delicious. Perfect all summer long!
Chris
Like to add craisins or raisins and sunflower seeds. So delicious!
Catalina
This is a salad that is perfect for our quick lunches. It looks amazing and I love how creamy it is!
Vikki
An easy, tasty salad! The whole family loved it
Jo
So healthy and tasty! Even my picky eater daughter loves it!
Amanda
Now this is my kind of salad, I need this in my life!
EMILY
My family and I loved this broccoli cauliflower salad and we will be making it for outdoor gatherings all summer long!
Sara Welch
I love the creamy flavor of the dressing and with the perfect amount of crunch! A great side dish with any summer meal!
Cate
This salad looks so fresh and delicious! What a great summer idea, thanks for sharing!
Cyndy
What a perfect salad for upcoming Summer BBQ’s with friends! Easy and delicious