Amish Broccoli Salad

Salads don’t have to be boring, and this Amish broccoli salad is anything but dull. Whenever you see the word Amish with food, you know it’ll be good, old-fashioned, homespun cuisine.

Similar to most traditional Amish recipes, this Amish broccoli and cauliflower salad has a simple technique and staple ingredients like crisp vegetables, a tangy mayo-based dressing, bacon and cheese. It’s definitely not your everyday side salad recipe (who needs lettuce anyway?!), but it still goes with just about anything, including fried chicken, pork chops, burgers and more. Plus, it’s an excellent broccoli recipe to entice picky eaters to get their daily serving of veggies.

Amish Broccoli Salad Ingredients

• Broccoli and cauliflower: Use fresh broccoli and cauliflower florets. Frozen vegetables have a softer texture once thawed, which may affect the salad’s crunch. You can also briefly blanch the vegetables and then shock them in ice water. You’ll get a slightly softer texture, but the broccoli will stay nice and green.
• Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon to get a crispy crumble that will stay crunchy when mixed with the dressing. One of our favorite ways to cook bacon is in the oven.
• Mayonnaise: Use homemade mayonnaise for a richer flavor in the dressing and an authentic Amish touch, but any best mayonnaise brand will do.
• Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances the tanginess of the vinegar in the dressing. If you don’t love sweet dressings, start with a smaller amount of sugar and add more if needed.
• Cider vinegar: Cider vinegar adds a tangy brightness to the dressing. If you don’t have cider vinegar, you can substitute lemon juice.
• Salt: You’ll need only a pinch of salt for seasoning this broccoli and cauliflower salad with bacon. The bacon and cheese already add some saltiness, so be mindful of the amount added.
• Cheddar cheese: It’s always best to grate cheese from a block. It has the best flavor and texture, and you’ll avoid the anti-caking agents in preshredded versions.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the salad ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, cauliflower and bacon.

Step 2: Make the dressing and finish the salad

In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar and salt. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Add the shredded cheddar cheese just before serving to keep it from getting too soft or mixing unevenly.

Recipe Variations

• Add dried fruit: Toss in a handful of dried cranberries or raisins for a touch of sweetness and added texture.
• Top with nuts or seeds: Sprinkle in toasted sunflower seeds, slivered almonds or chopped pecans for added crunch and nutty flavor.
• Lighten up: For a healthier option, substitute half or all the mayonnaise in the dressing with Greek yogurt.
• Try different veggies: Mix in shredded carrots, sliced radishes or even chopped bell peppers for additional color, texture and flavor.
• Pack it with protein: Cooked chicken, quinoa, chickpeas or even hard-boiled eggs can make the Amish broccoli and cauliflower salad more substantial.

How to Store Amish Broccoli Salad

Store Amish broccoli and cauliflower salad with bacon in an airtight container and refrigerate it. Before serving, stir the salad to redistribute any dressing that may have settled at the bottom. We don’t recommend freezing this salad since the fresh vegetables and mayonnaise-based dressing don’t hold up well to freezing and thawing.

How long does Amish broccoli salad last?

Amish broccoli and cauliflower salad typically lasts up to three days in the refrigerator.

Can you make Amish broccoli salad ahead of time?

You can make Amish broccoli salad at least one day in advance. It tastes even better when the vegetables soak up some of the dressing. But don’t let it sit too much longer than a day before serving or it’ll become too watery.

Amish Broccoli Salad Tips

What can you serve with Amish broccoli salad?

This Amish broccoli and cauliflower salad with bacon is a meal on its own, but it’s also a delicious side with classic fried chicken and baked salmon. It also goes fantastic with old-fashioned barbecue recipes such as ribs, pulled pork or burgers. Pair it with sandwiches like a green chile grilled cheese melt or roasted tomato soup for a lighter option.

How do I prevent the salad from becoming too watery?

To prevent the salad from becoming watery, dry the broccoli and cauliflower thoroughly after washing them. Additionally, mix the salad just before serving to prevent the dressing from sitting too long and releasing water from the vegetables.