Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Salad (Low Carb)
Creamy, crunchy, savory, and loaded with bacon and cheddar, this Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is the kind of side dish everyone asks for. It’s easy to make ahead, perfect for potlucks and cookouts, and packed with delicious texture in every bite.
If you need a salad that feels a little more special than a basic green salad, this Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is a fantastic choice.
Fresh broccoli and cauliflower provide plenty of crunch, while crispy bacon and shredded cheddar bring savory flavor. Everything is coated in a creamy, tangy dressing that brings the whole salad together.
Versions of broccoli and cauliflower salad commonly pair these vegetables with bacon, cheddar, and a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. (Food)
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- Easy to make: Most of the work is simply chopping and mixing.
- Creamy and crunchy: Fresh vegetables contrast beautifully with the rich dressing.
- Loaded with flavor: Bacon and cheddar make every bite satisfying.
- Great for gatherings: Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, picnics, and family dinners.
- Make-ahead friendly: Chilling allows the flavors to come together.
- Low-carb friendly: The recipe focuses on broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, cheese, and a creamy dressing.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 4 cups fresh cauliflower florets
- 6–8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives, optional
For the Creamy Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
This dressing uses the classic creamy, tangy profile commonly found in broccoli salads, while keeping the added sugar low. (Healthy Recipes Blog)
How to Make Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Wash the broccoli and cauliflower thoroughly and dry them well.
Cut both vegetables into small, bite-sized florets. Keeping the pieces relatively small makes it easier to get broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, and cheese in every bite.
Place the vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp.
Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate and allow it to cool. Once cooled, crumble or chop it into small pieces.
For convenience, you can also use prepared bacon pieces.
Step 3: Add the Cheese and Onion
Add the shredded cheddar cheese and diced red onion to the bowl with the broccoli and cauliflower.
Add the crumbled bacon and chives if you’re using them.
Gently toss everything together.
Step 4: Make the Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
Continue whisking until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Pour the dressing over the broccoli and cauliflower mixture.
Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated.
Don’t overmix. You want the broccoli and cauliflower to maintain their fresh crunch.
Step 6: Chill
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30–60 minutes before serving.
Chilling gives the dressing time to coat the vegetables and allows the flavors to blend.
For an even more developed flavor, you can prepare the salad a few hours ahead.
What Makes This Salad So Good?
The magic is in the contrast of textures.
The broccoli and cauliflower stay crisp and crunchy, while the creamy dressing adds richness. Crispy bacon brings a salty, savory element, and sharp cheddar adds another layer of flavor.
It’s a simple combination, but that’s exactly why it works so well.
Tips for the Best Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Dry the vegetables well. Excess water can make the dressing thinner.
Cut the florets small. Smaller pieces make the salad easier to eat and help distribute the dressing evenly.
Cook the bacon until crisp. Crispy bacon holds its texture better when mixed into the salad.
Use sharp cheddar. A stronger cheddar gives the salad plenty of flavor without needing a large amount.
Don’t drown the vegetables in dressing. Start with most of the dressing and add more if needed.
Chill before serving. Even a short rest in the refrigerator helps the flavors come together.
Easy Variations
Add Sunflower Seeds
For additional crunch, sprinkle sunflower seeds over the salad just before serving.
Add Chopped Pecans
Chopped pecans add a pleasant crunch and pair especially well with the creamy dressing.
Add Dried Cranberries
If you’re not strictly keeping the salad low carb, a small amount of dried cranberries adds a sweet contrast.
Add More Cheese
For an extra-loaded version, add a little more shredded cheddar or use a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack.
Add Green Onion
Green onions provide a fresh, mild onion flavor and make a colorful garnish.
Can I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes. This is one of the reasons this salad works so well for gatherings.
You can prepare it several hours before serving and keep it refrigerated.
If you’re preparing it well ahead, consider keeping some bacon and cheese aside and adding them shortly before serving for maximum texture.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover salad in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Because this recipe contains fresh vegetables and a creamy dressing, keep it refrigerated and use it within a few days.
Give the salad a gentle stir before serving leftovers.
Is This Salad Low Carb?
This version is designed to be low-carb friendly, using broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, cheese, and a creamy dressing without added sugar.
However, the exact carbohydrate content depends on the specific ingredients and brands you use. If you need to follow a specific dietary plan, check the nutrition information on your ingredient labels.
What to Serve With Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
This salad works with almost any casual dinner.
Try serving it alongside:
- Grilled chicken
- Burgers
- Roasted chicken
- Steak
- Pulled pork
- Grilled fish
- BBQ-style dishes
- Sandwiches
It’s also an excellent addition to potluck and picnic spreads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen broccoli and cauliflower?
Fresh vegetables are recommended because they provide the crisp texture this salad is known for. If using frozen vegetables, thaw and drain them extremely well before mixing.
Can I make this without bacon?
Absolutely. You can leave out the bacon for a vegetarian version or replace it with another crunchy ingredient.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes. Plain Greek yogurt can be used as an alternative to sour cream, although it will slightly change the flavor and texture of the dressing.
Can I use bottled dressing?
You can, but homemade dressing takes only a few minutes and lets you control the flavor and ingredients.
Recipe Card
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30–60 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 8
Ingredients
Salad:
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 6–8 slices cooked bacon
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives, optional
Dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli and cauliflower.
- Cut them into small, bite-sized florets.
- Cook the bacon until crisp, drain, cool, and crumble.
- Combine broccoli, cauliflower, cheddar, red onion, bacon, and chives in a large bowl.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables.
- Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes.
- Stir gently before serving.
- Garnish with extra bacon, cheddar, or chives if desired.
Final Thoughts
This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is creamy, crunchy, savory, and incredibly easy to prepare. The combination of fresh vegetables, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and tangy dressing makes it a standout side dish for family dinners, summer cookouts, potlucks, and holidays.
Make it ahead, keep it chilled, and bring it to your next gathering. Don’t be surprised when everyone starts asking for the recipe!
Save this recipe—you may have just found your new favorite broccoli salad. 🥦🥓🧀