Broccoli Cauliflower Bacon Salad

Name: Broccoli Cauliflower Bacon Salad with Creamy Dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp granulated sugar; 1 tbsp lemon juice; black pepper, to taste; 1 head cauliflower, chopped into small florets; 1 head broccoli, chopped into small florets; 1 cup red grapes, halved; 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced; 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds; 1/4 cup green onions, sliced

This broccoli and cauliflower bacon salad combines fresh raw vegetables with crispy bacon, sweet grapes, and sharp cheddar cheese in a creamy tangy dressing. It's a crowd-pleasing potluck side that comes together in minutes and actually improves when made ahead.

🌍American 🏷️Broccoli salad 🏷️Cauliflower salad 🏷️Bacon 🏷️Creamy salad Potluck salad

🏷️

🏷️Side dish

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Total

25 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by dinnerin321

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
black pepper, to taste
1 head cauliflower, chopped into small florets
1 head broccoli, chopped into small florets
1 cup red grapes, halved
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1
In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, and black pepper to make the dressing.
2
Whisk the dressing ingredients together until smooth and set aside.
3
In a very large bowl, add the chopped cauliflower, broccoli, halved grapes, diced red onion, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, and sliced green onions.
4
Toss the salad ingredients together to combine.
5
Pour the prepared dressing over the salad.
6
Fold everything together with a spatula until all ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
7
Serve immediately or refrigerate for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Chop broccoli and cauliflower into uniformly small florets so they absorb dressing evenly and are easier to eat.
Cook bacon until fully crispy and crumble it just before adding to the salad to prevent sogginess.
Make the dressing ahead and refrigerate; whisk again before tossing to re-emulsify the mayo-based mixture.
Cut grapes in half to prevent them from rolling and to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.

Substitutions

Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt (tangier, lighter texture)
Red grapes → green grapes or halved cherry tomatoes (different flavor profile)
Sharp cheddar → Swiss or provolone cheese (milder taste)
Apple cider vinegar → white wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice (slightly less fruity)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; keep dressing separate from vegetables until serving to maintain crunch.

Common Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes. Mix the dressing separately and combine with vegetables up to 4 hours before serving to keep it crisp. Add bacon just before serving so it stays crunchy.