Amish Broccoli Salad with Cheese and Bacon

Amish broccoli salad is a heavenly combination of crunchy broccoli and cauliflower in a rich and creamy dressing.

Oh, and it’s loaded with bacon and cheddar cheese to boot!

This is a salad I can really get on board with!

The ingredients are basic, but the flavor and texture combinations are so on point.

Seriously, this salad is so delectable, even kids can’t say no to it. 

Plus, it’s a breeze to make and it welcome at any party, potluck, or backyard bash.

So forget that boring old potato salad, and make this Amish broccoli salad recipe tonight!

Easy Homemade Amish Broccoli Salad

Amish broccoli salad is a highly addictive summer dish. The recipe originated from an Amish woman in Navarre, Ohio, where broccoli is abundant. 

What a perfect use of broccoli this salad is! The crunchiness of the vegetable goes fantastic with the creamy mayo dressing.

The bacon and cheese add depth to the flavor and texture, making the salad even more irresistible.

It’s also one of those dishes that’s both delicious and healthy. It’s primarily broccoli and cauliflower, so you know it’s good for you.

Sure, the dressing isn’t so diet-friendly, but hey, you gotta live a little! 🙂

Ingredients

• Broccoli and Cauliflower – I know it’s called broccoli salad, but cauliflower makes a wonderful addition, too! They taste similar, but together, they create an appetizing color contrast. 

• Mayonnaise – It’s a primary component of the dressing, so you’ll want to pick a good brand. Miracle Whip, Hellman’s, and Best Foods are all good options. 

• Sour Cream – Together with mayo, sour cream makes a rich, creamy, dressing with a tart contrast.

• Salt and Sugar – To give the dressing a well-balanced flavor. 

• Bacon – It transforms the salad from mediocre to magnificent! Feel free to add as much as you want! You can cook it yourself or get pre-cooked and pre-crumbled bacon. Whatever the case, be sure to use real bacon.

• Cheddar Cheese – For a rich and salty flavor contrast. The recipe calls for shredded cheese, but you can also slice it into small cubes for a nice bite. 

Tips for the Best Broccoli Salad

• Amish broccoli salad tastes best when cold. Be sure to make it at least 2 hours before serving. Apart from the coolness, chilling it beforehand also allows the flavors to marry.
• If you’re cutting back on calories, make a lighter version. Reduce the amount of sugar, cheese, and bacon. 
• Do not use a food processor to cut up the broccoli and cauliflower. You’ll end up with super tiny, almost ground veggies! Cut them with a knife into small, bite-sized pieces. Do not discard the center stems connecting the florets – those are edible.
• Store the salad in an air-tight container or cover with plastic wrap. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. The salad does not freeze well. The veggies will turn soggy, and the dressing will break and become runny once thawed.
• This recipe already yields a scrumptious salad, but you can make it even more extra with these additions:
  • Raisins
  • Cranberries
  • Dried Cherries
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Pecans
  • Walnuts
  • Almonds
  • Minced Red Onion – run it under cold water to dial down its pungent flavor.

Will Raw Broccoli Taste Good in This Salad?

Yes! Fresh raw broccoli AND cauliflower provide this salad a lovely crunch.

Don’t worry, you won’t taste the rawness of the veggies at all. The rich and creamy dressing will take care of that.

Together, they create a beautiful harmony of flavors and textures. 

So please, do not cook the broccoli and the cauliflower for this salad. It won’t taste nearly as good.

Do not use frozen and thawed florets, either. Once thawed, the veggies will lose their firmness and crunch. You won’t want to end up with a soggy salad!

If you really can’t take eating raw vegetables, the next best option is to blanch them.

Place the florets in a pot of boiling water and let them sit for 1 minute.

Transfer them very quickly into a bowl of iced water to stop the cooking process. Drain well before use. 

Dressing Options For Amish Broccoli Salad

In this recipe, you’ll combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and sugar to create a wonderful balance of sweet and tangy flavors.

But if you don’t have these ingredients on hand, don’t worry! There are several alternatives you can use.

Instead of sour cream, you can use vinegar. All you’ll need is basic white vinegar, but you can also use fancier ones for a deeper flavor.

Red wine, white wine, champagne, or apple cider vinegar all make fantastic options.

For a lighter dressing, opt for low-fat mayo and sour cream. Greek yogurt works like a charm, too.

Not a fan of creamy dressings? No problem! 

You can sub out the mayo dressing with a sweet and tangy vinaigrette. All you’ll need are olive oil, honey, rice vinegar, black pepper, and salt.

The simple blend makes a light and refreshing dressing that tastes amazing with broccoli and cauliflower.