Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad

It’s a love story for the ages: two vegetables, once seen as culinary opposites, have come together in perfect harmony. Broccoli and cauliflower, the ultimate dynamic duo, prove that opposites really do attract. While they might hail from the same vegetable family, their unique qualities complement each other in the most delicious way. This Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad is proof that their partnership is more than just a healthy coincidence—it’s a match made in foodie heaven.

Both broccoli and cauliflower are nutritional powerhouses. Cauliflower is brimming with vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate, making it a great choice for immune support and overall wellness. Meanwhile, broccoli brings vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber to the table, supporting healthy digestion and vision. Together, they create a vitamin-packed salad that fuels your body with essential nutrients. Best of all, they’re low in calories, making this dish both a light and satisfying choice.

What truly sets broccoli and cauliflower apart as a pair is how well their flavors and textures work together. Broccoli’s earthy, slightly bitter notes perfectly balance cauliflower’s mild sweetness. When combined, they create a flavor profile that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The slight crunch of both vegetables holds up beautifully in this salad, allowing the dressing and mix-ins to shine without turning the veggies soggy.

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This Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad is as versatile as it is tasty. It’s the kind of dish you can whip up for a casual family dinner or bring to a potluck where you want to impress. The recipe combines crisp broccoli and cauliflower florets with rich hard-cooked eggs, smoky bacon, and sharp Cheddar cheese. The creamy dressing—a blend of mayonnaise, sugar, and white wine vinegar—ties everything together with a sweet and tangy kick.

Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad

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This Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad is a great dish to take to potluck suppers and makes a favorite salad for the family.

• Author: Bill Dugan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: Serves 6
• Category: Salads & Dressings

Ingredients

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• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 2 cups hard-cooked eggs, diced
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

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Instructions

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Crumble and set aside.
2. In a medium-sized salad bowl, layer in order the broccoli, cauliflower, eggs, cheese, and bacon.
3. Prepare the dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar. Drizzle dressing over top and serve.

The Ingredients and Their Roles

Each ingredient in this salad plays a vital role, contributing to its balance of flavor, texture, and nutrition:

• Broccoli: This green powerhouse adds an earthy, slightly bitter note that contrasts beautifully with the sweeter cauliflower. Its crunchiness provides the perfect texture to carry the creamy dressing.
• Cauliflower: With its mild, sweet flavor, cauliflower balances the robust taste of broccoli. Its firm texture holds up well in the salad, ensuring every bite has a satisfying crunch.
• Hard-Cooked Eggs: These add richness and protein, making the salad more filling and giving it a creamy texture that pairs beautifully with the dressing.
• Cheddar Cheese: The sharpness of Cheddar cuts through the richness of the eggs and bacon, adding depth and a bit of tanginess.
• Bacon: Smoky and savory, the bacon provides a crispy element that elevates the flavor of the entire dish.
• Mayonnaise Dressing: The dressing brings all the ingredients together with a sweet-tangy flavor that complements both the veggies and the mix-ins. The sugar and vinegar balance each other, making the dressing smooth and addictive.
• White Wine Vinegar: This adds a subtle acidity that enhances the flavors of the salad and prevents it from feeling too heavy.

Dietary Substitutions

This salad is versatile enough to accommodate various dietary preferences. Here are some easy substitutions to make it work for your needs:

• Dairy-Free: Replace the Cheddar cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for a similar cheesy flavor.
• Egg-Free: Omit the hard-cooked eggs or replace them with diced tofu for added protein.
• Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium bacon or skip it altogether, and adjust the seasoning in the dressing to taste.
• Keto-Friendly: Reduce the sugar in the dressing or replace it with a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol.
• Vegetarian: Skip the bacon or replace it with crispy chickpeas or smoked almonds for a similar crunch and flavor.
• Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, so no modifications are needed for those avoiding gluten.

The magic of this salad lies in its balance of flavors and textures. The crunch of fresh vegetables contrasts beautifully with the creamy dressing, while the bacon adds a smoky, savory note that makes every bite irresistible. Cheddar cheese brings a sharpness that cuts through the richness, and the hard-cooked eggs add substance, making this salad a dish you can enjoy as a side or even as a light meal.

To make this dish a true crowd-pleaser, the preparation is straightforward. Start by cooking the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy; crumble it and set it aside. In a salad bowl, layer the broccoli, cauliflower, eggs, cheese, and bacon, creating a visual feast before the dressing is even added. The dressing itself comes together quickly—just whisk mayonnaise, sugar, and white wine vinegar until smooth, then drizzle it over the layered salad. You can serve it immediately or let it chill for an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

This salad is perfect for potlucks, summer barbecues, or holiday spreads. It’s also a wonderful make-ahead option, as it stays fresh and flavorful in the fridge for a day or two. If you want to switch things up, there are plenty of variations to try. Add sunflower seeds or chopped almonds for extra crunch, or toss in dried cranberries for a hint of sweetness. For a lower-calorie option, use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise for the dressing.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy broccoli and cauliflower? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to check out our Cauliflower Gardening Guide for tips on growing your own!