Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe – How to make the best easy salad side dish with a homemade creamy dressing – with the video tutorial.
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Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
This creamy broccoli cauliflower salad recipe is fresh, crunchy, cheesy and coated in a simple homemade sour cream dressing. It’s an easy make ahead side dish that’s perfect for BBQs, potlucks, family dinners and meal prep.
With only a handful of everyday ingredients and no cooking required, this broccoli and cauliflower salad comes together in just 10 minutes and tastes even better after chilling in the fridge.
You can prep the salad in a large bowl, a salad bowl or as I’ve done, pop the salad and homemade dressing into an airtight container like a meal prep box, to make it easy to grab and go.
Why This Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Works
- Ready in only 10 minutes
- No cooking required
- Perfect for meal prep
- Naturally gluten free
- Easy to make low carb and keto
- Great for BBQs, picnics and potlucks
- Even better the next day after the flavours develop
- Easily customised with bacon, nuts or dried fruit
Delicious Salad Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for the easy broccoli salad which is one my favorite recipes.
Broccoli – provides crunch and fibre. For the fresh broccoli, you can use half to a head of broccoli that you chop into bite sized broccoli florets.
Both broccoli and cauliflower are low in carbs and high in fiber, making this salad an easy, healthy dish that’s naturally high in healthy fiber. (Here’s the full low carb high fiber vegetables list.)
Cauliflower – balances the broccoli and absorbs the creamy dressing. As with the broccoli, you can use a half to a head of cauliflower, chopped into bite size pieces of cauliflower florets.
Lemon – brightens all the flavours. Grate over lemon zest and squeeze over a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice to balance the flavors of the salad. You could swap the lemon juice for a vinegar such as red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead.
Red Onion – use a quarter to a half a chopped red onion to add flavor to the salad. You could also add in chopped green onions or any other onion you like.
Salt & Pepper – for seasoning, I’ve simply added a few shakes of salt. You could feel free to add in black pepper or your seasoning of choice in the easy recipe.
Sour Cream – creates a simple creamy tangy dressing. I’ve gone for sour cream in this creamy salad, but you can feel free to swap for Greek yogurt, any other type of yogurt or make a mayo dressing by mixing through the mayonnaise you usually include in your diet.
Cheese – I’ve gone for grated cheddar cheese, mixing some through the salad and saving the rest to sprinkle over the finished salad. You could swap for crumbled feta cheese or another cheese option, if you like.
You can make the salad dressing in a separate bowl or just make it easy for yourself and mix everything together in one large bowl or container.
You’ll find that leaving the salad in the fridge for a few hours, or overnight and enjoyed the next day, both develops delicious flavors and helps to soften both the raw broccoli and raw cauliflower.
Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- The flavours actually improve overnight, making this an excellent make ahead salad.
- Not suitable for freezing.
What To Serve With Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
This salad pairs perfectly with:
- grilled chicken
- burgers
- BBQ ribs
- roast chicken (like my yogurt roasted chicken)
- steak
- pulled pork
- sandwiches
- picnic lunches
Recipe Variations
There are loads of ways to adapt the great recipe, depending on your tastes and dietary requirements.
Bacon – stir through crispy bacon pieces for a broccoli cauliflower bacon salad.
Apple – stir through chopped apple for a broccoli apple salad.
Nuts and seeds – you can add in crunchy sunflower seeds , chopped cashews or your nut or seed of choice.
Roasted chicken – combine broccoli with leftover roasted chicken for a protein rich main dish.
Cranberries – add in cranberries, sultanas or raisins for a salad bursting with flavor.
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
- 1/2 to 1 Head of Broccoli
- 1/2 to 1 Head of Cauliflower
- 1/4 to 1/2 Red Onion
- 1/2 to 1 Lemon
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 1/2 to 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1/2 to 1 Cup Grated Cheese
- Get out a large mixing bowl, salad bowl or meal prep container, chop the broccoli and cauliflower into small pieces and add them to the bowl or container.
- Finely chop the onion and add it to the salad.
- Grate the lemon zest over the fresh veggies, then squeeze over 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Add salt, pepper and any other seasoning you like, to taste, then toss to combine.
- Add the sour cream and stir well to combine.
- Stir through half of the grated cheese until you have a cheesy, creamy salad then sprinkle over the rest of the grated cheese to finish.
- Place in the fridge for a few hours, or overnight, then enjoy within a couple of days.
Recipe Tips
- Chop the vegetables into small, even bite-sized pieces so every forkful has the perfect balance
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving for the best flavour
- Add the cheese just before serving if making several days ahead
- Taste again before serving and add an extra squeeze of lemon if needed
- Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for the creamiest texture
Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe Video
Here’s the video for how to make the cauliflower broccoli salad recipe. Hit play below or click here to watch on YouTube.
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe – How to make the best easy salad with a homemade creamy dressing – with the video tutorial.
Ingredients
- 1/2 to 1 Head of Broccoli
- 1/2 to 1 Head of Cauliflower
- 1/4 to 1/2 Red Onion
- 1/2 to 1 Lemon
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 1/2 to 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1/2 to 1 Cup Grated Cheese
Instructions
- Get out a large mixing bowl, salad bowl or meal prep container, chop the broccoli and cauliflower into small pieces and add them to the bowl or container.
- Finely chop the onion and add it to the salad.
- Grate the lemon zest over the fresh veggies, then squeeze over 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Add salt, pepper and any other seasoning you like, to taste, then toss to combine.
- Add the sour cream and stir well to combine.
- Stir through half of the grated cheese until you have a cheesy, creamy salad then sprinkle over the rest of the grated cheese to finish.
- Place in the fridge for a few hours, or overnight, then enjoy within a couple of days.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 99
Recommended Kitchen Tools
These are the kitchen tools I use when making the creamy cauliflower and broccoli salad recipe:
- Measuring cups and spoons – Accurate measurements help create a perfectly balanced salad every time. A durable stainless steel measuring set is an everyday kitchen essential.
- Mixing bowl – A large mixing bowl gives you plenty of room to toss the salad together without making a mess, ensuring every bite is evenly coated.
- Microplane grater – Fresh lemon zest adds incredible flavour to this salad. A sharp microplane zester removes only the fragrant outer peel without the bitter white pith, making it perfect for citrus, garlic and Parmesan.
- Fine mesh sieve – A sturdy fine mesh sieve makes it easy to strain fresh lemon juice and catch any pips before adding it to the dressing.
- Glass meal prep containers – This easy salad keeps well in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep. Glass containers help keep leftovers fresh and are ideal for taking healthy lunches to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat raw broccoli in salad?
Yes. Raw broccoli is crisp, nutritious and softens slightly after chilling in the dressing.
Can I make broccoli cauliflower salad ahead?
Yes. It’s actually better after chilling for a few hours or overnight.
Can I use mayonnaise instead of sour cream?
Absolutely. You can use mayonnaise or mix equal parts mayonnaise and sour cream for a richer dressing.
How long does broccoli cauliflower salad last?
Stored in an airtight container, it keeps for around 3 days in the refrigerator.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Fresh broccoli is recommended because frozen vegetables become soft after thawing.
Is broccoli cauliflower salad keto?
Yes. This recipe is naturally low in carbohydrates and suitable for keto when using full-fat dairy.
More Simple Salads
Grated Carrot and Orange Salad
Updated in June 2026 with additional recipe tips, variations, FAQs and improved instructions.
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