Description
Loaded Broccoli Salad is a crisp and creamy side dish featuring fresh broccoli and cauliflower florets, crunchy bacon, creamy Colby Jack cheese, and a tangy honey-sweetened Greek yogurt dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing everyday salad.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dressing:
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup clover honey
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Salad:
- 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 4 cups cauliflower florets, chopped
- 12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 red onion, peeled and chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, red wine vinegar, optional sugar, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth. Cover and refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld while preparing the rest of the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli and cauliflower florets, half of the crumbled bacon, the cubed Colby Jack cheese, and the chopped red onion. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Mix Everything Together: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well to coat everything evenly, ensuring each bite has the perfect balance of creamy dressing and crunchy veggies.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the remaining crumbled bacon on top for an added crispy texture. Serve the salad immediately for the best crunch and freshness, or cover and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Notes
- Make it Dairy-Free: Substitute Greek yogurt and mayonnaise with coconut yogurt and avocado mayonnaise for a dairy-free version.
- Lower the Sugar: Use a sugar-free sweetener instead of honey and omit the optional granulated sugar.
- Add More Crunch: Enhance texture by adding toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, or pecans.
- Try Different Cheeses: Swap Colby Jack cheese for cheddar, feta, or blue cheese for unique flavor profiles.
- Add Protein: Include grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs to make this salad a more substantial meal.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for cooking bacon if done fresh)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: broccoli salad, loaded broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, bacon broccoli salad, healthy salad, honey dressing, picnic salad, potluck recipe
