Description
Loaded Broccoli Salad is a vibrant, crunchy, and flavorful side dish featuring fresh broccoli and cauliflower florets, crispy bacon, savory Colby Jack cheese, and a creamy, tangy honey-mayo Greek yogurt dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing addition to any meal, this salad combines sweet, salty, and savory elements with a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
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
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 smooth. Cover and refrigerate while preparing the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, cauliflower, half of the crumbled bacon, cubed Colby Jack cheese, and chopped red onion.
- Mix Everything Together: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat all ingredients with the creamy dressing.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the remaining crispy bacon on top for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve for a cool, crisp salad.
Notes
- Make it Dairy-Free: Substitute Greek yogurt and mayonnaise with dairy-free alternatives like coconut yogurt or avocado mayo.
- Lower the Sugar: Replace honey with a sugar-free sweetener and omit the optional granulated sugar.
- Add More Crunch: Include toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, or pecans to enhance the texture.
- Try Different Cheeses: Use cheddar, feta, or blue cheese instead of Colby Jack for flavor variations.
- Add Protein: Incorporate grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs to make it a more substantial meal.
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Toss again before serving to redistribute dressing.
- Make Ahead: For crispier vegetables, keep dressing separate and combine right before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for cooking bacon)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: broccoli salad, loaded broccoli salad, creamy salad, bacon salad, Colby Jack cheese salad, make ahead salad, picnic recipes, healthy side dish
