This Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad is a crunchy, colorful, and deliciously tangy dish that combines fresh veggies, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and sweet dried cranberries. The vibrant flavors and textures are tied together with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and a touch of honey and lemon. This salad is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or as a healthy side dish to complement your meal. It’s quick to prepare, packed with nutrients, and offers a balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes.
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 3 cups of broccoli florets, diced into tiny pieces
- 3 cups cauliflower florets, finely chopped into small pieces
- 1 cup carrots, finely sliced
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 10 strips of bacon, crispy and chopped after draining excess fat
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup dried cranberries
For the Salad Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup of sour cream (or substitute with kefir or Greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup honey (softened or warmed up)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Prepare the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli and cauliflower florets, sliced carrots, diced red onion, chopped bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and dried cranberries. Toss to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Make the salad dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or kefir/Greek yogurt), lemon juice, honey, and salt until smooth and creamy.
- Combine the salad and dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss everything together until all the vegetables and other ingredients are well coated in the creamy dressing.
- Refrigerate and enjoy: To enhance the flavor, allow the salad to cool in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to serving. This helps the ingredients blend harmoniously.
- Serve: Once chilled, give the salad a final toss and serve it as a side dish or enjoy it on its own as a light, refreshing meal.
Conclusion:
This Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad is a fresh and delicious way to enjoy vegetables with a hint of indulgence. The combination of crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and dried cranberries adds layers of flavor that are both savory and sweet. The creamy dressing is tangy and perfectly balances the crunch of the veggies. Whether you’re serving it as a side for dinner or bringing it to a gathering, this salad is sure to be a hit with its vibrant flavors and satisfying texture.
Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 3 cups of broccoli florets diced into tiny pieces
- 3 cups cauliflower florets finely chopped into small pieces
- 1 cup carrots finely sliced
- ½ cup red onion diced
- 10 strips of bacon crispy and chopped after draining excess fat
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup dried cranberries
For the Salad Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup of sour cream or substitute with kefir or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup honey softened or warmed up
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli and cauliflower florets, sliced carrots, diced red onion, chopped bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and dried cranberries. Toss to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Make the salad dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or kefir/Greek yogurt), lemon juice, honey, and salt until smooth and creamy.
- Combine the salad and dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss everything together until all the vegetables and other ingredients are well coated in the creamy dressing.
- Refrigerate and enjoy: To enhance the flavor, allow the salad to cool in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to serving. This helps the ingredients blend harmoniously.
- Serve: Once chilled, give the salad a final toss and serve it as a side dish or enjoy it on its own as a light, refreshing meal.