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Fuel your body with this vibrant, Healthy Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad. Made without mayo, this low fat, fiber-rich side dish is packed with delicious flavors and ready to serve in just 15 minutes!
Table of Contents
Say farewell to heavy mayo and hello to a lighter, crunchier side dish! Tossed with crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and vibrant flavors, this healthy broccoli and cauliflower salad is surprisingly low in calories and still tastes amazing.
The best part? You won’t even miss the mayo! With creamy Greek yogurt, crispy bacon bits, crunchy sunflower seeds, sweet red grapes, and hearty broccoli and cauliflower florets, it’s the perfect year-round side dish for any occasion.
Looking for more creamy side salad recipes? Try this Mexican Corn Salad, my Light Potato Salad, or this classic Healthy Macaroni Salad recipe next!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Balanced Side: By using yogurt instead of mayo, this nutritious broccoli salad has a higher protein content—something many weight loss clients need. The balance of protein, fat, and carbs makes it satisfying while keeping it light and delicious!
- Easy and Nutritious: Packed with fiber from fresh veggies and fruit, this broccoli cauliflower salad is not only nutritious but also easy to make—ready in under 15 minutes for a quick, wholesome side dish!
- All-Natural Ingredients: Made with zero-calorie sweetener, this salad uses all natural, gluten-free ingredients, making it a wholesome addition to any meal.
Ingredients
- Broccoli and Cauliflower: Add a mix of textures, and nutrients with a mild taste and satisfying crunch. I wouldn’t recommend substituting the broccoli, as it’s key to the dish, but you can swap cauliflower with more broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts.
- Bacon: Adds a signature salty, smoky flavor and crisp texture. If you prefer, you can substitute with cooked turkey bacon, Canadian bacon, or tempeh. You can even omit it entirely for a vegetarian version!
- Red Grapes: These bring a burst of juicy sweetness and a fun color to the broccoli and cauliflower salad, balancing out the savoriness and adding a refreshing touch.
- Greek Yogurt: The creamy base for the dressing, providing richness without the added fat and calories of traditional mayo or sour cream. If you prefer mayo, feel free to swap it out, or for a high protein option, blend cottage cheese as a I did in this higher protein Alfredo recipe.
- Sunflower Seeds: Add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor to the dish. You can swap them for pine nuts, sliced walnuts, pecans, or almonds—or omit them if preferred!
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations & Dietary Modifications
- More Fruits and Veggies: Add more color and texture by incorporating sweet dried fruits like raisins or cranberries. For extra crunch, toss in some diced cucumber or bell peppers.
- Give it a Kick: Bring some heat by mixing in sliced jalapeños, a drizzle of hot sauce or Sriracha, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Double the Protein: Turn this cauliflower broccoli salad side dish into a full meal by adding extra protein! Try diced grilled chicken, turkey, hard-boiled eggs, or even chickpeas for a plant-based protein boost.
- Make it Dairy-Free: To make it dairy-free, swap the Greek yogurt with mayo or dairy-free yogurt. For a lactose-free option, you can use lactose-free cottage cheese (just blend it before adding so it has a smoother texture).
How to Make Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Ready to upgrade your side dish game with this mayo-free, broccoli cauliflower salad recipe? In just 4 simple steps, you’ll have a wholesome, flavor-packed side dish. Start by grabbing your mixing bowl, slicing your grapes and onions, gathering all your ingredients, and following the steps below:
Step 1: Crisp the Bacon. Cook the bacon until crispy, allow it to cool, crumble it, and set it aside.
Step 2: Make the Dressing. Mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar and sweetener in a mixing bowl until well combined.
Step 3: Toss the Salad. In a separate, large mixing bowl, stir together the broccoli, cauliflower, onion, grapes, and the dressing until fully coated.
Step 4: Chill, Top and Serve. Refrigerate the salad for 1 hour, garnish with green onions and sunflower seeds, and serve!
Expert Tips
- Let it Chill: For the best flavor and texture, chill the salad for at least 1 hour before serving. If you have time, chilling it longer (up to 3 days) will enhance the healthy broccoli cauliflower salad even more!
- Uniform Florets: Cut the cauliflower and broccoli into uniform pieces to ensure even coating with the Greek yogurt dressing. This also helps make the salad more visually appealing and easier to eat.
- Storing: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will get soggy if kept longer, so be sure to enjoy it within that time frame. This salad doesn’t freeze well, so it’s best to keep it fresh in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
This colorful and hearty salad makes the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Whether you’re serving it for the holidays, at a gathering, or as a light dinner side, here are a few meal ideas to pair with this cauliflower and broccoli salad.
- Make it a holiday favorite and serve it alongside a healthy turkey breast recipe, a spice rubbed pork tenderloin, or pork chops with wild rice for a festive meal.
- Add this refreshing salad to a buffet spread featuring healthy turkey meatballs, low carb mashed potatoes, and healthy sweet potato casserole.
- Pair it with easy meals like crockpot BBQ chicken, everything bagel salmon, or this Paleo meatloaf for a balanced dinner.
Recipe FAQs
I recommend using raw broccoli and cauliflower for the best texture and flavor. If you prefer slightly cooked veggies, you can blanch them for just 1 minute. However, I don’t recommend using steamed, roasted, or frozen vegetables, as they may alter the texture of the salad.
Yes! You can prepare this salad up to 1 day in advance. For longer storage, refer to the storing instructions above for the best results.
More Vibrant Salad Recipes
If you tried this Healthy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.
Healthy Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
Ingredients
- 4 strips Bacon
- 2 cups Broccoli Florets
- 2 cups Cauliflower Florets
- 1 cup Red Grapes, sliced in half
- ½ cup Red Onion, sliced, If you don’t like red onion, feel free to omit it, but I wouldn't recommend substituting it with white onion, as it's too strong.
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon White Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Stevia, Monkfruit, maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, brown sugar or any sugar you prefer may be used instead.
- 2 tablespoons Sunflower Seeds
- 2 Green Onions, diced
Instructions
- Cook the bacon according to package instructions. Once the bacon is cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar and sweetener.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the raw broccoli florets, raw cauliflower, red onion, sliced grapes with the yogurt mixture and bacon. Chill 1 hour prior to serving. You can chill longer if you like!
- Top with green onions and sunflower seeds for serving!
Notes
- 1 serving equals about 1 cup
- Let it Chill: Chill the salad for at least an hour before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Uniform Florets: Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into uniform pieces for even coating and a more visually appealing salad.
- Storing: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; it won’t freeze well.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
