Amish Broccoli Salad with Cauliflower and Bacon is a cool, creamy, crunchy salad made with fresh broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and crispy bacon tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing. It's the perfect combination of savory, sweet, and crunchy - and it always disappears fast.
This easy broccoli cauliflower salad is a classic Amish side dish that's great for potlucks, picnics, church dinners, holidays, and summer barbecues. It pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or fried chicken, but it's also delicious enough to enjoy as a light lunch all on its own.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Amish Broccoli Salad
- Ingredients
- Chopping Broccoli and Cauliflower for Salad
- How to Make Amish Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
- Variations
- Can I Make This Dish Ahead of Time?
- Pre-cooking and Freezing Bacon Saves on Meal Prep Time
- Getting Enough Veggies
- More Amish Salad Recipes
- More Amish Side Dish Recipes
- 📖 Recipe Card
Why You'll Love This Amish Broccoli Salad
- 🥦 Loaded with fresh vegetables - broccoli + cauliflower in every bite
- 🥓 Bacon makes it irresistible - smoky, salty, savory goodness
- ⏱️ Quick and easy to make - just chop, mix, chill, and serve
- 🥗 Perfect for picnics and potlucks - tastes even better after chilling, it also holds up well and doesn't wilt like lettuce
- 🍯 Sweet and tangy dressing - classic Amish-style flavor
- 🧀 Cheese included - makes it hearty and satisfying
Ingredients
Here's exactly what you'll need to make this Amish broccoli cauliflower salad and what each ingredient brings to the recipe:
- Broccoli florets give the fresh, crisp crunch and classic broccoli salad flavor. Broccoli is rich in vitamins and brings a nutritional element to the dish.
- Cauliflower florets add mild flavor and extra crunch that pairs perfectly with broccoli.
- Cooked, crumbled bacon brings a smoky, salty flavor that balances the sweet dressing and takes this dish over the top.
- Cubed cheese adds richness and creaminess to every bite. Choose a cheese variety that you enjoy, such as Cheddar, Colby jack, or Mozzarella. (If desired, you can use shredded cheese instead.)
- Miracle Whip is a type of salad dressing with a tangy and slightly sweet flavor. It provides the traditional Amish sweet-and-tangy salad dressing base. If Miracle Whip is not your thing, feel free to replace it with Mayo, but be advised that it does not bring the same tangy flavor!
- Sugar balances the vinegar and adds the signature sweet flavor.
- White vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) adds a bright tang and zesty finish.
- Salt enhances all the other flavors.
- Onion flakes or diced red onion provide mild onion flavor without overpowering the salad.
Chopping Broccoli and Cauliflower for Salad
Broccoli and cauliflower salad is easy to make. The only thing that takes much time is chopping up your vegetables.
There are several options if you want to save time in preparing this salad. You can buy packages of pre-washed and cut cauliflower and fresh broccoli florets. Some of the pieces are pretty big, but you can give them a quick dice or two. Or you can use a salad chopper if you like pretty small pieces.
I don't like huge chunks in my broccoli cauliflower salad, but I don't like it too fine either. However, it doesn't matter if the pieces are not all uniform. Use a sharp knife (affiliate link) and cut the veggies to suit your taste.
Some people prefer using just the broccoli crowns and not the stems, but I like the stems too. The outside part can be stringy and hard, but if you peel off the outside, you are left with the tender inside that has a great flavor. I cut the stems into small pieces and toss them into the salad as well.
How to Make Amish Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
To make this broccoli and cauliflower salad, mix your miracle whip, sugar, vinegar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the chopped onion and crispy bacon, and mix well.
Toss the cheese, chopped broccoli, and cauliflower into the dressing and mix well. At first, it may seem like there's not enough dressing, but after it sits for a while it gets more creamy.
I don't like mine with too much dressing, so I use about a three-fourth cup of Miracle Whip. However, if you like yours very creamy, feel free to add more.
For best results, refrigerate your broccoli salad for at least an hour before serving. It helps to incorporate the flavors. Stir well before serving.
In an airtight container, broccoli salad will last for up to a week in the refrigerator. However, it tastes the best on the first day or two.
Variations
Miracle Whip or Mayo??
Due to differences in our taste buds, some of you probably prefer Miracle Whip, and others prefer Mayo.
I usually keep both Miracle Whip and Mayo in my fridge, because some dishes, such as broccoli salad, need Miracle Whip while others are better with Mayo.
There is a difference. Miracle Whip has a tangy flavor that adds so much depth to Amish broccoli salad. Trust me on this one, you want to use Miracle Whip and not Mayo or some other cheap brand of salad dressing.
However, if you are one of those people who absolutely cannot stand Miracle Whip, then I suppose you can use creamy mayonnaise instead, but it won't be the same 😉 .
Cheese
You can use shredded cheese or cut a block of cheese into little chunks. I prefer sharp cheddar or Colby-jack block cheese cut into tiny chunks. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
Other Additions
We used to add raisins to our Amish cauliflower and broccoli salad, but I prefer it without them. However, I know some people enjoy golden raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. in their broccoli salad. So feel free to add whatever else you think would be good in here.
Can I Make This Dish Ahead of Time?
Yes! But don't mix it too far in advance.
For the best texture and flavor, mix the salad the same day you plan to serve it. I recommend making it at least 1 to 2 hours ahead so the dressing has time to blend with the vegetables, but not so early that the salad becomes watery or the vegetables soften.
You can prep the components ahead, though. Chop the broccoli and cauliflower, cook the bacon, and whisk together the dressing up to two days in advance. Keep everything stored separately in the refrigerator and combine it shortly before serving for a quick and easy side dish.
Pre-cooking and Freezing Bacon Saves on Meal Prep Time
I always keep cooked and crumbled bacon pieces in my freezer. It's so nice to have fried bacon handy for throwing into dishes, or for whenever I wanna make homemade chicken and bacon pizza.
I buy a big pack of bacon, slice it all into about half-inch pieces, and fry it till crispy. Drain the fat and let it cool on a paper towel-lined plate. Then store it in a quart freezer bag. It is super handy for making this Amish broccoli salad.
Getting Enough Veggies
It is recommended that adults eat two to three cups of vegetables every day. Vegetables are loaded with vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need, but many of us struggle to consume enough healthy vegetables.
So I am always looking for ways to incorporate extra vegetables into our meals, and eating this broccoli salad is a great way to enjoy a serving or two of veggies.
My oldest son loves Amish cauliflower and broccoli salad as well. And between the two of us, we can about finish off a whole bowl of this delicious broccoli salad in one meal.
More Amish Side Dish Recipes
I hope you enjoy this delicious Amish recipe for broccoli salad as much as I do. It's the best broccoli salad and makes a perfect summer salad or side dish for holiday meals.
If you try this recipe, I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Thank you!
📖 Recipe Card
Amish Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 c. miracle whip
- 1 ½ Tbs. sugar
- 1 ½ Tbs. white vinegar
- ½ tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. dried onion flakes, or diced onion as desired
- 6-8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- 4 c. chopped broccoli
- 4 c. chopped cauliflower
- ½ - 1 c. cubed cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix miracle whip, sugar, vinegar, and salt. Add bacon and onion flakes, mix well.1 c. miracle whip, 1 ½ Tbs. sugar, 1 ½ Tbs. white vinegar, ½ tsp. salt, 2 tsp. dried onion flakes, or diced onion as desired, 6-8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- Cut broccoli and cauliflower into small chunks.4 c. chopped broccoli, 4 c. chopped cauliflower
- Toss the broccoli, cauliflower, and cheese into the dressing. Mix well.½ - 1 c. cubed cheese
- For best results, refrigerate for at least one hour and stir before serving.
Anna
One of my favorite salads!!
Joan Balog
Can you slightly steam the cauliflower and broccoli and then chill?
Anna
I suppose you could. I've never tried that. I like the crunchy texture.
Sharon Parks
You have referenced a few times in your posts a sweet , creamy sauce your mother would make to pour over vegetables. You usually mentioned it wasn’t very healthy. I am very interested in having that recipe if you’ve got it. Really enjoy reading your posts. And the recipes are fabulous. Thank you for sharing. 1 Corinthians 15. 3,4. Romans 10.13.
Anna
I have a recipe for creamed celery, don't know if you saw that one. She made creamed peas and asparagus, and I will get that recipe on here one day. It was basically a rue made with butter and flour, then you add salt, pepper, and a bit of sugar.