Name: Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt; 1/2 cup light mayonnaise; 1/4 cup honey; 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 Tbsp granulated sugar; 1/4 tsp salt, or more to taste; 4 cups small diced broccoli florets; 4 cups small diced cauliflower florets; 8 oz bacon (about 8 slices), diced and sauteed until crisp and drained; 1 1/4 cups small cubed Colby Jack cheese (6 oz); 1/2 cup chopped red onion, rinsed under water and drained

There’s just something so fresh and crunchy about a good vegetable salad dressed in something creamy and tangy. This Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe hits that spot perfectly — crisp veggies, a luscious dressing, and little salty bites that keep you coming back for more.

A close-up of a white bowl filled with a fresh salad made of bright green broccoli florets, small white cauliflower pieces, and orange cheese cubes evenly mixed throughout. Bits of crispy brown bacon and small pieces of purple onion are scattered around, all coated with a creamy white dressing that gives a slightly shiny texture. Two large wooden salad servers are visible sticking out of the bowl in the background, sitting on a white marbled surface with a soft purple cloth in the back. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe countless times, especially when I need a crowd-pleaser potluck dish or a quick lunch. It’s that perfect balance of savory, sweet, crunchy, and creamy that makes every bite a delight.

Fresh, Crisp Veggies: Tiny broccoli and cauliflower florets give you satisfying texture with every bite.
Creamy yet Light Dressing: Greek yogurt and light mayo blend smoothly with honey and vinegar for a tangy, luscious coating.
Bacon and Cheese Magic: Salty bacon and melty Colby Jack cheese add richness and a bit of indulgence that elevates the salad.
Quick and Customizable: Whip it together in 15 minutes and tweak ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This salad shines because of how thoughtfully each ingredient plays off the other. The crunchy veggies meet the creamy dressing perfectly, and the bacon and cheese add flavor depth. Here’s why I pick these specific ingredients:

Flat lay of small diced broccoli florets, small diced cauliflower florets, crisp cooked diced bacon pieces, small cubes of Colby Jack cheese, chopped red onion, whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of plain Greek yogurt, a small white ceramic bowl of light mayonnaise, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of deep red wine vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Broccoli florets: Pick small, firm pieces for a crunch that holds up well in the salad without getting soggy.
Cauliflower florets: The mild flavor balances the broccoli’s green bite and adds nice texture variety.
Bacon: Crisply cooked, it adds smoky saltiness that contrasts beautifully with the creamy dressing.
Colby Jack cheese: Mild, creamy, and slightly tangy; cut into small cubes so it integrates well in every forkful.
Red onion: Rinsing under cold water softens the sharpness but keeps that lovely kick—don’t skip this step unless you want an onion punch!
Greek yogurt: Creamy and tangy, it’s a healthier base than mayo alone and adds protein.
Light mayonnaise: Helps balance richness and adds creaminess without heaviness.
Honey: Just the right touch of sweetness to balance tangy vinegar and sharp onion.
Red wine vinegar: Adds acidity to cut through richness and brighten flavors.
Granulated sugar: A little extra sweetness to smooth out the tartness, but you can adjust or omit this based on your taste.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors — taste and add more if needed after mixing.

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

This salad is super forgiving, so feel free to make it your own. I love tossing in toasted sunflower seeds for extra crunch or swapping Colby Jack with sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor. You can also dial back bacon or swap it for turkey bacon to lighten it up.

Vegetarian Variation: Skip the bacon and add toasted nuts or chickpeas for crunch. I’ve done this several times when catering to dietary restrictions and it works just fine.
Seasonal Twist: Toss in some diced apples or dried cranberries in fall to give it a sweet-tart pop I absolutely adore.
Make it Paleo-Friendly: Use avocado mayo instead of light mayonnaise and skip the sugar; the honey should give enough sweetness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe

A clear glass bowl filled with a smooth, thick white creamy sauce with soft swirls on the surface. A wooden spatula with a bright pink silicone tip is resting in the bowl with some sauce on it. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with green broccoli pieces and a white marbled surface underneath. A deep purple cloth is partially visible near the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk up the dressing first

I start by mixing the Greek yogurt, light mayo, honey, red wine vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Whisk it really well until it’s silky smooth. Chilling the dressing while you prep the salad helps it thicken slightly and meld the flavors beautifully.

Step 2: Prepare the salad ingredients

Next, dice your broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Cook and crisp up the bacon (I usually dry it on paper towels to get it perfectly crisp). Chop the red onion and rinse it under cold water to mellow out the sharpness — don’t skip this step unless you like onion heat! Cube the Colby Jack cheese.

Step 3: Toss it all together

I like to mix most of the bacon and onion right into the broccoli and cauliflower in a large bowl but save a bit to sprinkle on top for color and texture. Then pour the chilled dressing over everything and toss gently but thoroughly so every piece gets coated.

Step 4: Serve it fresh

This salad is best served within an hour of adding the dressing. It keeps its crunch better and the flavors are at their peak. If you do let it rest longer, give it a quick stir before serving and you’ll be good to go.

Top Tip

From my experience, nailing the texture balance is key for this Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe. Here are my personal tips so yours turns out just right every time.

Use Fresh, Firm Veggies: Older broccoli or cauliflower can be soggy and mushy. When in doubt, pick the freshest heads and break them into small, even pieces so every forkful is consistent.
Don’t Skip Rinsing Onions: Rinsing removes some of the bitterness but keeps the crunch and flavor that adds a great zing.
Cook Bacon Crispy: Soft, greasy bacon won’t bring the same satisfying crunch. Cooking bacon just right and draining well keeps it from watering down the salad.
Toss Just Before Serving: If you want to prep ahead, keep the dressing separate until the last minute so the veggies stay crisp and the salad stays fresh.

How to Serve Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle extra crisp bacon and red onion on top right before serving for a pop of color and fresh crunch. Sometimes I add a little chopped fresh parsley or chives for brightness — it just makes the salad feel a little more special.

Side Dishes

This creamy broccoli cauliflower salad is a fantastic side for grilled chicken or fish, BBQ ribs, or even a simple sandwich. I often serve it alongside garlic bread or a light soup for a complete meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve spooned this salad into individual mason jars layered with a sprinkle of toasted nuts on top. It’s a fun, portable way to serve and looks so inviting on the buffet table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. I keep the dressing mixed in because it actually improves flavor over a few hours—but note the crunch will soften as the salad sits.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad because the creamy dressing and fresh veggies don’t freeze well. You’d lose that fresh, crisp texture that makes this salad so delightful.

Reheating

This salad is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so I usually just let leftovers sit out for 10-15 minutes to take the chill off before eating. Reheating isn’t necessary or recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately a day ahead, then toss them together just before serving to keep the veggies crisp and fresh.

What can I substitute for bacon in this salad?

If you want a vegetarian version, try toasted sunflower seeds, roasted chickpeas, or smoked tempeh for a similar crunchy, savory bite without the bacon.

How do I prevent the salad from getting soggy?

The biggest trick is to add dressing right before serving and keep all salad ingredients well chilled. Also, rinse the onions to reduce moisture and drain cooked bacon thoroughly.

Can I use regular mayonnaise instead of light mayonnaise?

Absolutely! Regular mayonnaise will make the dressing richer and creamier, though light mayo keeps it a bit lighter in calories without sacrificing flavor. Adjust sweetness and vinegar to taste if you make the swap.

Final Thoughts

This Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Dressing Recipe is one of those dishes that I come back to again and again because it’s just so simple yet satisfying. Whether it’s for a quick lunch, a potluck favorite, or a side dish for dinner, it never disappoints. Give it a try—you’ll love how the fresh veggies, creamy tangy dressing, and crispy bacon work together to make every bite a little celebration in your mouth.