Description

A vibrant and crunchy broccoli salad loaded with fresh cauliflower, shredded carrots, red onion, roasted sunflower seeds, sweet dried cranberries, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and seasonings. This salad is perfect as a refreshing side dish or a light lunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

8 ounces broccoli, cut into small florets (4–5 cups)
4 ounces cauliflower, cut into small florets (2–3 cups)
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup diced red onion

Other Salad Ingredients

1/2 cup roasted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
4 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled (about 1/3 cup crumbled)

Dressing

3/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined, forming a creamy dressing.
Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, shredded carrots, diced red onion, roasted sunflower seeds, sweetened dried cranberries, and crispy crumbled bacon. Toss these ingredients gently to mix.
Toss with dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated in the dressing, making the salad flavorful and cohesive.
Serve: Serve the broccoli crunch salad immediately to enjoy its fresh crispness and crunch, or chill briefly if desired before serving.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a low-fat mayo.
You can prepare the dressing and chop vegetables in advance, but toss with dressing just before serving to keep the salad crisp.
Bacon can be omitted or replaced with a vegetarian alternative to make the salad vegetarian-friendly.
Adjust sugar in the dressing based on sweetness preference or substitute with honey or a sugar alternative.
Make sure to use fresh, crunchy broccoli and cauliflower for the best texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: broccoli salad, crunchy salad, bacon salad, broccoli crunch salad, easy side dish, picnic salad, healthy salad