Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

by KetoFocus.com

A quick, zesty Italian broccoli cauliflower salad filled with juicy tomatoes, tangy roasted peppers, marinated mozzarella and a crunchy walnut topping. Tossed with a simple vinaigrette, this flavorful side dish is perfect for cookouts, gatherings or even a weeknight dinner since it only takes 10 minutes to assemble.

This fantastic, fresh broccoli cauliflower salad recipe is a go-to for any occasion, but especially during the warmer months of Spring and Summer since, like an anti-pasto saladthis salad doesn’t require any cooking, it’s quick to make, requires minimal prep work, and is bursting with flavor.

A colorful broccoli salad with cauliflower, cheese, tomatoes and roasted peppers.

 

Since it’s incredibly easy to makes, only taking 10 minutes to prepare, it’s a great option for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen or you would rather be spending your Summer evenings on the porch sipping a cool lemonade.

Filled with bright colorful fruits and vegetables, this broccoli salad recipe is loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and healthy fats. The cruciferous veggies (broccoli and cauliflower florets), tossed with tomatoes, roasted red peppers, tiny cheese balls yield delicious, good-for-you flavor with each bite.

How to make broccoli cauliflower salad

  1. Mix the ingredients to create a zesty basic vinaigrette that even a novice home cook can manage. Set aside or make the salad dressing the day ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld and come together.
  2. Chop, drain and dice all ingredients as needed for bite sized morsels. Small florets are ideal for this broccoli salad.
  3. Toss raw broccoli florets and cauliflower with all salad components.
  4. Pour in Italian vinaigrette dressing and stir to evenly coat.

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe Video

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Italian Vinaigrette Ingredients

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • pinch of salt

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Ingredients

  • 12 oz broccoli florets
  • 12 oz cauliflower florets
  • 12 oz jar roasted red bell pepper, drained
  • 1 small can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, drained
  • 2 oz golden or red grape tomatoes
  • 12 oz small, marinated mozzarella cheese balls, drained
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Directions

  • Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
  • Looking into a large bowl with a broccoli cauliflower salad filled with sliced tomato, diced roasted peppers, mozzarella cheese balls and olives.

    Variations

    There are many ways to customize this Italian salad recipe to suit your taste preferences. Here are some variations to try:

    Add some fresh herbs

    Try adding some fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or cilantro to the salad for extra flavor. Fresh herbs can be added to the salad dressing or in the salad itself.

    Use different cheeses

    Instead of marinated mozzarella cheese balls, you can use feta, cheddar cheese, goat cheese, or even blue cheese for a different taste. Even dairy-free cheese can be used for those with a dairy or lactose allergy.

    Add some fruit

    For a touch of sweetness, try adding a sweet and tart berry to this mix. Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are some good ones to try.

    Make it spicy

    If you like a little heat, add more red pepper flakes to the dressing or some diced jalapeños to the salad.

    Use different dressings

    Instead of the simple vinaigrette dressing, try using a creamy ranch dressing, pesto vinaigrette or feta dressing. A creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream or greek yogurt add a different tangy, yet creamy flavor to this salad side dish.

    Mix up the vegetables

    Try using or adding in other vegetables like zucchini, red onion, green onion, cucumber, asparagus and avocado.

    Add protein

    To make the salad more filling, add some grilled chicken, shrimp, or bacon to the salad.

    These are just a few ideas to get you started. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique version of this delicious broccoli cauliflower salad.

    Florets of broccoli and cauliflower in a bowl with strips of red bell pepper, mozzarella cheese and golden grape tomatoes on a table.

    Storage information and meal prep instructions

    Meal prep

    This salad recipe and it’s components can be made ahead of time. In fact, making the salad the night before is ideal since it gives the salad dressing time to marinate all the vegetables and the acids will break down some of the fibers from the vegetables making them easier to bite into.

    Refrigerator

    Store the prepared cauliflower salad in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The vinaigrette dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

     

    Broccoli Cauliflower Salad: FAQS

    Can I use fresh red bell peppers instead of roasted red bell peppers from a jar?

    Yes, you could substitute with diced, fresh red bell pepper. It will add a delightful crunch to the salad; however, won't have the same roasted flavor.

    Can I use a different type of cheese instead of marinated mozzarella cheese balls?

    Yes, other cheeses can be used in place of the marinated mozzarella balls. Try using smoked gouda, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, Colby jack, crumbled feta cheese or even goat cheese!

    Can I make this salad dairy-free?

    It's easy to turn this cauliflower broccoli salad dairy-free. Simply omit the parmesan cheese in the salad dressing and mozzarella cheese from the cauliflower salad.

    Nutritional information & Macros

    Nutrition Information

    Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

    Servings: 8

    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 386
    Fat 36g
    Protein 7.1g
    Total Carbs 9.4g
    Net Carbs 6.7g

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