Posted November 10, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

We affectionately call this the Christmas salad, but its deliciousness knows no seasonal bounds. Broccoli Cauliflower Salad boasts just four ingredients, adorned with a simple honey-lemon dressing that embraces each delightful bite. Quick to assemble, it’s an ideal addition to both festive gatherings and everyday dinners, consistently prompting recipe requests.

While cauliflower often finds its way into soups or roasting trays, raw cauliflower offers a unique treat. Its perfect taste and crunchy texture make it an excellent candidate for salads.

We have a soft spot for fresh broccoli salads, such as our Broccoli Apple Salad and Broccoli Grape Salad. If you appreciate the crispness of fresh broccoli and cauliflower, this creamy salad will become a repeat favorite. Broccoli and Cauliflower have never tasted better!

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad Ingredients

• Broccoli – use a medium head, cut into small florets
• Cauliflower – 1 medium head, chopped into small florets
• Dried Cranberries – adds a sweet-tanginess to the salad
• Pine Nuts or Sliced Almonds – toast the nuts on a dry skillet until golden for a more intense nutty flavor and crunchier texture.

Shortcut: I love my food chopper for chopping broccoli and cauliflower. It makes this job way easier and faster.

How to Select Cauliflower

• Look for tightly packed heads of white cauliflower. The leaves should be green and fresh-looking.
• Avoid cauliflower heads with brown specks or wilted leaves which are a sign of aging.

Creamy Honey-Lemon Dressing

This dressing doesn’t get any easier, and we love that it uses honey to sweeten and balance the tanginess of the dressing.

• Mayonnaise – use real mayo for the best flavor
• Lemon juice – be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice (not from concentrate)
• Honey – we use 2 Tablespoons but you can add it to taste. Liquid honey will incorporate easier into the dressing.

Once you have all your ingredients prepped and you’re ready to serve the salad, just add the dressing to taste and toss to combine, then enjoy. It’s so easy!

Common Questions

Can I substitute the nuts?

Nuts add a great crunch, but you can easily substitute them for sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds, and toast them for deeper flavor.

Can I substitute the craisins?

Craisins or dried cranberries can easily be substituted with raisins. You can also use fresh grapes if you prefer, but double the amount.

Can I use frozen broccoli or cauliflower?

We do not recommend using frozen broccoli or frozen cauliflower for this salad since the crunch won’t be present, and it won’t keep as well once broccoli is thawed. Using frozen is also likely to water down the dressing in the salad.

Is this cauliflower broccoli salad gluten-free?

Yes, this salad is grain-free and naturally gluten-free.

Make Ahead

Besides the amazing flavor, what I love most about this salad is the “make-ahead” factor. This salad is just as good (if not better) after it’s been in the fridge melding with the dressing overnight.

Storing Leftovers: cover and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days, just be sure to stir and add more dressing to taste if needed.

• Peel the broccoli stem and chop off the dry base. Chop broccoli into small florets and dice the stem if using.
• Remove and discard the cauliflower core and leaves and dice the rest into bite-sized pieces.
• Toast 1/2 cup pine nuts or almonds on a dry skillet over med/high heat, tossing frequently until fragrant and golden, then add to the salad bowl along with 3/4 cup craisins.
• In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayo, 2 Tbsp honey and 2 Tbsp lemon juice. Add dressing to the salad and toss well to combine.