Description
A fresh and crunchy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad featuring vibrant broccoli and cauliflower florets, sweet red bell pepper, and smoky bacon bits, all tossed in a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing infused with lemon juice and fresh thyme. This quick and easy salad is perfect as a side dish or a light meal, ready in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups broccoli florets (about 6.5 oz)
- 2 ½ cups cauliflower florets (about 10.5 oz)
- 1 cup red bell pepper, coarsely chopped (about 1 large pepper)
- ⅓ cup cooked bacon bits
Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, red bell pepper pieces, and cooked bacon bits. Gently mix to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh thyme leaves, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the salt as needed.
- Dress and Serve: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss the salad thoroughly to coat all the vegetables and bacon bits evenly with the dressing. Serve immediately for a fresh, crunchy texture, or chill in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon bits or substitute with smoked tempeh or vegan bacon alternatives.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavor but serving immediately keeps the vegetables crisp.
- Fresh thyme can be substituted with dried thyme if fresh is unavailable, using about one-third the amount.
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste preference, especially salt and lemon juice for balance.
- This salad pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a standalone light meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
