The BEST Broccoli Salad recipe – loaded with fresh broccoli, cauliflower, green onions, bacon, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and a lightened up honey mustard dressing. This salad is perfect for summer cookouts and picnics – a definite crowd pleaser!
Well, we’ve officially entered a new era. We no longer have a one year old…..because Myla is TWO! We celebrated her second birthday yesterday, complete with balloons & streamers, a trip to the zoo, a pile of presents, a 2-layer chocolate cake (with sprinkles), and dinner at our favorite restaurant. Because birthdays are a big deal! Even when you’re two.
It was fun, really. Trying to figure out how Myla might like to celebrate her birthday. And at the end of the day, I’d say we did a pretty good job! What two year old wouldn’t want presents, cake, and zoo animals?? Our only foible? Dinner.
We should really know better by now. Taking a two year old (and three other kids) to a restaurant is never a good idea! But for some reason, we’re having a hard time accepting that reality. We just love eating out! The good news? We may have finally learned our lesson. Last night’s dinner was a rough one.
Lucky for us, the timing of this unfortunate realization coincides perfectly with something that is guaranteed to make it all better: grilling season! Because when eating out no longer feels fun, grilling is the next best option! (Or maybe it’s the other way around!?)
And what goes better with grilling than this delicious Broccoli Salad? Now, I’m sure you’ve had one version or another of broccoli salad before. But I’m here to tell you that this one is the BEST you’ve ever had! Because it’s loaded up with cauliflower, bacon, green onions, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds, then tossed in a sweet honey mustard dressing that’s been lightened up. So you can eat all the broccoli salad you want, without feeling a twinge of guilt. And if you’re anything like me, you’re going to want it ALL!
Best Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 12 ounces bacon cooked & chopped
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt OR sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, dried cranberries, green onions, and sunflower seeds.
- In a separate small bowl, combine yogurt, mayo, honey, and ground mustard and mix well.
- Pour dressing over broccoli mixture and toss to coat.
Eva says
oh broccoli salad!! Love broccoli but needed some fun ideas. This is looking so delicious. I must try. xx
Krista says
What a great salad to add to the summer BBQ’s!
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
That sure is one gorgeous broccoli salad, Cathy! I need a bowl of this STAT! 🙂
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
Oh yum!!! I love the addition of the cauliflower 🙂
Amy says
This is such a beautiful salad, loaded with so much goodness. I never would have thought to add yogurt, great idea!
Jess says
Happy 2nd birthday to sweet Maya – I saw a shot of her cake, adorably sweet! Sounds like the perfect celebration…minus the restaurant part – it’s just easier to stay home and with your cooking? No competition! This salad is a prime example of all that. It looks beyond delicious! Perfect for summer, yes please!!!!!
eat good 4 life says
I have never tried to make a broccoli salad even though I love broccoli and salads. I must try this recipe soon. Love the addition of bacon to it!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Sounds like your daughter had a wonderful birthday! And this salad is just gorgeous! I love your pictures…it really captures the ingredients. I’ve never sunflower seeds or dried cranberries in this type of salad, so I love this addition!
Deb A says
Your salad sounds so good with lots of crunch! Birthdays are a big deal…. Sounds like you had a wonderful day!
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
This salad is gorgeous! And how I remember dreaming about how much fun taking the whole family out to eat was going to be, only to be disappointed! Now mine are old enough they don’t want to be seen in public with me!
marcie says
Happy birthday to Myla! It’s so tough taking young kids to restaurants, and sometimes it’s still hard taking my teens out! This broccoli salad looks delicious, Cathy, and I love that you added cauliflower too!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh man this broccoli salad is calling my name! I LOVE that you added cauliflower too!
Love Bakes Good Cakes says
I love broccoli salad – and love that you added cauliflower to it!! It’s sure to be a hit no matter where it’s served!
Kristen says
I love broccoli salad as well–but love your dressing more than the recipe I have.. Can’t wait to try!
Megan @ MegUnProcessed says
Love a good salad recipe!
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee says
perfect for summer bbq’s
hotmail login says
I cannot thank you enough for the blog . Really thank you! Really Cool.
Nancy says
I made this tonight and it was so delicious. I used a store bought honey mustard dressing but all other ingredients were the same. Absolutely delicious!
Cooking zone says
Yummy salad ,love to eat veggies
Nicole Ellis says
Is there a reason why you shouldn’t use greek yoghurt?
April says
I was wondering the same thing. Thanks
Lisa says
I used Plain Greek yogurt and it was delicious!
Angie says
Was wondering, Could you use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon? And what are your thoughts?
Doreen Tuell says
Why not? It won’t taste exactly the same as it would with regular bacon, but it should still be good.
Doreen Tuell says
This salad looks fantastic!
I used to feed the same way about taking my children to restaurants when they were little. Then I discovered how magical a “Mom Bag” was! I have since transitioned to a “Grandma’s Bag”, since my children now have kids of their own. This bag is basically just a zipped up bag with a handle that I filled with all kinds of fun stuff. Items like: crayons and mini coloring books, small boxed card games, small pad of paper and colored pens (for doodling, Tic-tac-toe and Connect- the- dots), dice games, small electronic games and whatever else I thought would be good. I also included little snack bags filled with dried fruit and nuts to lightly fill their tummys when they get the “hangrys”. Works every time as it’s a great distraction!
Melissa Hubinsky says
This looks amazing, just wish it had the calorie count like some of the others. Gonna give it a try tomorrow
Carlene Borrelli says
Would like more recipes of different salads