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    Home » Side Dishes » Fresh Broccoli and Cauliflower Summer Salad

    Published: Jul 7, 2020 · Modified: Mar 12, 2022 by Nancy · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Fresh Broccoli and Cauliflower Summer Salad

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This cold broccoli and cauliflower salad is delicious and makes an irresistible summer side dish. The bacon and tangy sweet sauce give the flavor a wonderful complexity. It's always a hit at a pot luck picnic!

    Broccoli, cauliflower and bacon come together in a sweet sauce to make this flavorful dish

    I wish I could say I love salad, but honestly it's not my favorite food. I didn't grow up eating it much; when my mom fixed one it was usually a small side salad with dinner that consisted of iceberg lettuce and plump red tomatoes with green goddess dressing. It was a fine complement to a hearty midwestern dinner, but it wasn't particularly interesting on its own.

    A Southern Alternative to Coleslaw

    After we got married, I attended a family potluck at Kevin's parents' house in Kentucky, and his aunt brought this crunchy and flavorful salad that kept me going back for more. As I was scraping the last bits out of the corner of the casserole dish, Kevin's aunt explained that this vegetable salad has been a summertime staple in the south and a favorite in their family for generations. It was sweet, yet tangy. Crunchy, yet chewy. My taste buds were confused and delighted all at the same time! It is reminiscent of coleslaw, with bacon giving it added flavor depth.

    Only 7 Ingredients

    For the amount of flavor in this dish, it surprisingly has only seven simple ingredients. They are:

    • Chopped broccoli
    • Chopped cauliflower
    • Yellow onion
    • Miracle Whip
    • Sugar
    • Vinegar
    • Chopped bacon

    Prepping the Salad

    What I love about this dish is that it uses fresh, uncooked vegetables, (I prefer organic) plus it's so easy to prepare. The key thing to remember is to chop the vegetables very small (see photo.) Small pieces make raw vegetables easier to eat and digest. I cut the broccoli and cauliflower to the crown, then use a sharp knife to cut off tiny floret pieces. I use equal amounts of broccoli and cauliflower. Since the cauliflower head tends to be so large, I cut the broccoli first, then chop the cauliflower until I have an equal amount. I usually end up using ½ to ¾ of a head of cauliflower.

    Also, make sure to cook and cool your bacon in advance. If you want to save some time, you can use a jar of real bacon bits instead of cooking your own.

    Prepping Fresh Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

    All that's left to do is to mix it all together in a large bowl, then put it in your favorite serving dish to enjoy. If you'd like you can serve it immediately, but I usually chill it in the refrigerator for at least an hour before I serve it because I like the way the ingredients taste when they're cold.

     

    Fresh Broccoli and Cauliflower salad with bacon in a tangy sweet sauce

    Fresh Broccoli and Cauliflower Summer Salad

    Nancy Blackstone
    This raw vegetable summer salad is sweet and savory, creamy and crunchy all at the same time! Perfect as side dish for a barbecue or warm weather potluck.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 293 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 yellow onion chopped
    • 2 ½ pounds chopped fresh broccoli floret tips
    • 1 head fresh cauliflower chopped into floret tips
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 1 ½ cups Miracle Whip
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • ½ pound bacon browned and chopped or a whole jar of real bacon bits

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, mix chopped broccoli, cauliflower and onion.
    • In a small bowl, mix together sugar, Miracle Whip and white vinegar.
    • Add mixture to the chopped vegetables. Fold in bacon. Ready to serve or chill!

    Notes

    Modern Twist: In place of cooking and chopping bacon, you can substitute a whole jar of real bacon bits 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 4gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 326mgPotassium: 471mgFiber: 4gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 611IUVitamin C: 108mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword broccoli salad, coleslaw alternative, summer salad, summer side dish, vegetable salad southern salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Looking for a hot broccoli side dish perfect for cooler months? Try our delicious Broccoli and Cheese Casserole with Buttery Cracker Topping

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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

    More about me →

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