Name: Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Bacon and Lemon-Thyme Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups broccoli florets (about 6.5 oz); 2 ½ cups cauliflower florets (about 10.5 oz); 1 cup red bell pepper, coarsely chopped (about 1 large pepper); ⅓ cup cooked bacon bits; ½ cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon sea salt (plus more to taste); ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Description

This Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is a quick and refreshing dish combining fresh broccoli and cauliflower florets with crunchy red bell pepper and smoky bacon bits. Tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh thyme, this salad is perfect for a light lunch, a side dish, or a healthy potluck addition. Ready in just 10 minutes, it offers a delightful crunch and vibrant flavors that meld beautifully when chilled.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

2 ½ cups broccoli florets (about 6.5 oz)
2 ½ cups cauliflower florets (about 10.5 oz)
1 cup red bell pepper, coarsely chopped (about 1 large pepper)

Other Salad Ingredients

⅓ cup cooked bacon bits

Dressing

½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon sea salt (plus more to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, red bell pepper pieces, and cooked bacon bits, ensuring all the components are evenly mixed.
Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh thyme leaves, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt if needed.
Dress and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly. Serve immediately for best freshness, or chill the salad for a few hours to let the flavors meld and deepen before serving.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or replace with a plant-based bacon alternative.
Chilling the salad for at least 1-2 hours enhances the flavor blending.
Fresh thyme can be substituted with dried thyme at 1 teaspoon, but fresh is preferred for more vibrant taste.
Add nuts or seeds like sunflower seeds for extra crunch if desired.
This salad is best served cold and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.