Description
Loaded Broccoli Salad is a vibrant, crunchy, and creamy salad featuring fresh broccoli and cauliflower florets tossed with a tangy honey-mayo Greek yogurt dressing, crispy bacon, and cubes of Colby Jack cheese. It’s a perfect dish for potlucks, picnics, or a quick and delicious lunch that balances fresh vegetables with savory and sweet flavors.
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, sugar (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir 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, Colby Jack cheese, and diced red onion.
- Mix Everything Together: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the remaining bacon on top for a crispy finish. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Make it Dairy-Free: Swap Greek yogurt and mayo for a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt or avocado mayo.
- Lower the Sugar: Use a sugar-free sweetener instead of honey and omit the optional sugar.
- Add More Crunch: Toss in some toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, or pecans for extra texture.
- Try a Different Cheese: Swap Colby Jack for cheddar, feta, or blue cheese for a twist in flavor.
- Add Protein: Want to make it a full meal? Add grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for cooking bacon)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: broccoli salad, loaded broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, bacon broccoli salad, honey mayo dressing, summer salad, potluck recipe
