Broccoli Cauliflower Bacon Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Crunchy broccoli and cauliflower with smoky bacon and sharp cheddar in a creamy, tangy dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 head fresh broccoli, chopped into bite-size florets
02 - 1 head fresh cauliflower, chopped into bite-size florets

→ Protein

03 - 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

→ Cheese

04 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

→ Dressing

05 - 1 cup mayonnaise
06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - ½ cup granulated sugar
08 - ½ teaspoon fine salt

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Chop broccoli and cauliflower into small, uniform bite-sized florets to ensure even coating and ease of eating.
02 - Cook bacon strips slowly in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and salt until smooth and creamy without lumps.
04 - In a large bowl, combine chopped broccoli, chopped cauliflower, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese. Toss gently to mix evenly.
05 - Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and fold gently with a spatula to coat evenly without crushing the ingredients.
06 - Cover the salad with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors and firm the texture. Garnish with extra bacon or cheddar before serving if desired.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For perfectly crisp bacon, bake on a rack over a sheet pan in the oven for even cooking.
02 - Chilling the salad before serving enhances flavor blending and sets the dressing.
03 - Uniform cutting of vegetables ensures every bite is coated and easy to eat.
04 - Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator; best consumed within three days.