The Wholesome Amish Broccoli Salad Recipe Everyone Adores

Summers burst with potluck memories, and this creamy broccoli salad captures the essence of community gatherings.

Crisp broccoli florets nestled in a tangy, sweet Amish broccoli salad create a delightful harmony of flavors and textures.

Bacon bits and sunflower seeds add crunch to every refreshing bite.

The dressing, a perfect blend of mayonnaise and vinegar, coats each ingredient with a luxurious richness.

Chopped red onions provide a subtle kick that elevates the entire dish.

Chilled and hearty, this salad serves as a delectable side that steals the spotlight at any picnic or barbecue.

You’ll want to make extra, because this recipe disappears faster than you can scoop it onto a plate.

What Makes Amish Broccoli Salad So Refreshing

• Swap ingredients like sunflower seeds or red onions to match your taste preferences and make this recipe uniquely yours.
• Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and summer barbecues where everyone craves a delicious side dish that disappears quickly.
• Packed with fresh vegetables and protein from bacon and cheese, this salad delivers a satisfying and wholesome meal in minutes.
• Minimal cooking required with simple mixing steps that even beginner cooks can master without complicated techniques.

Key Ingredients for Amish Broccoli Salad Perfection

• Broccoli: A crisp green vegetable that provides a fresh and hearty base for the salad.
• Cauliflower: A complementary white vegetable that adds texture and mild flavor to the dish.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: A creamy combination that creates a rich and tangy dressing for the salad.
• Cheddar Cheese: A sharp and flavorful cheese that adds depth and richness to the salad.
• Bacon: Crispy and savory meat that provides a smoky and salty element to the dish.

• Sugar, Salt: Simple seasonings that balance the flavors and enhance the overall taste of the salad.

Tools for Easy Broccoli Salad Preparation

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and mixing all ingredients smoothly.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for preparing the creamy dressing.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping broccoli and cauliflower.
• Sharp knife: Helps chop vegetables precisely.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Cheese grater: Useful for shredding Cheddar cheese.

Steps for Tossing Amish Broccoli Salad Just Right

Step 1: Chop Fresh Vegetables

Grab your cutting board and slice broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.

Aim for uniform chunks that will make each bite perfect and easy to enjoy.

Step 2: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Sugar
• Salt

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and silky with no lumps.

Step 3: Combine Vegetables And Dressing

Pour the creamy dressing over the chopped vegetables.

Use a large spoon to gently fold and coat every single piece, ensuring each vegetable gets a delicious creamy embrace.

Step 4: Add Crispy Bacon And Cheese

• Crumbled bacon
• Shredded Cheddar cheese

Stir gently to distribute the bacon and cheese throughout the salad.

Save a small handful of bacon and cheese for a gorgeous final garnish.

Step 5: Chill And Serve

Cover the salad and pop it in the refrigerator to let the flavors mingle.

When ready to serve, give it a quick stir and top with the reserved bacon and cheese.

Enjoy this classic Amish-style side dish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Tips for Crisp, Flavorful Broccoli Salad

• Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving to allow the dressing to meld with the vegetables and intensify the taste.
• Cook bacon until extra crispy, then crumble into small pieces for maximum crunch and flavor distribution.
• Chop broccoli and cauliflower into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even dressing coverage and optimal texture.
• Swap sugar with a sugar-free alternative like stevia to make the salad more keto-friendly and reduce overall carbohydrate content.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance, keeping bacon and cheese separate until just before serving to maintain optimal crispness and texture.

Tasty Variations on Classic Amish Broccoli Salad

• Vegan Veggie Blast: Replace bacon with smoky tempeh bits, swap mayonnaise and sour cream for cashew cream, use maple syrup instead of sugar, and add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
• Low-Carb Crunch: Substitute cauliflower with zucchini, use Greek yogurt as a protein-packed dressing base, add sunflower seeds for extra texture, and reduce sugar content.
• Mediterranean Remix: Incorporate feta cheese instead of Cheddar, add kalamata olives, use olive oil-based dressing with lemon juice, and sprinkle with fresh herbs like oregano.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Mix in diced jalapeños, replace Cheddar with pepper jack cheese, add corn kernels, and include a dash of chili powder in the dressing for extra kick.

Serving Amish Broccoli Salad at Potlucks

Picnic Perfect Platter: Arrange the salad on a colorful serving dish and garnish with extra bacon and cheese for a stunning presentation that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

Potluck Party Trick: Pack this salad in a sealed container and bring it to gatherings – it’s a crowd-pleaser that travels well and stays crisp for hours.

Summer Side Companion: Pair this broccoli salad with grilled meats like barbecue chicken or steak for a refreshing and hearty meal complement that balances rich flavors.

Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad a few hours before serving to let the flavors meld together, creating an even more delicious and cohesive dish.

Storing Amish Broccoli Salad for Freshness

• Store the Amish Broccoli Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Before storing, gently pat the salad with paper towels to remove any excess liquid that might make the vegetables soggy.
• If possible, keep bacon and cheese toppings separate from the main salad to prevent them from becoming soft and losing their crunch.
• This salad is best enjoyed cold. Avoid microwaving as it can make the vegetables mushy and change the texture of the dressing and toppings.

FAQs

• What makes this salad unique to Amish cuisine?

The combination of fresh broccoli, creamy dressing, crispy bacon, and sharp Cheddar cheese reflects traditional Amish comfort food style, emphasizing hearty, homemade ingredients with simple preparation.

• Is this recipe healthy?

While delicious, the salad is rich in calories due to mayonnaise, sour cream, and bacon. It provides good vegetable nutrition from broccoli and cauliflower, but should be enjoyed in moderation as a side dish.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this salad several hours before serving. The vegetables will remain crisp, and the flavors will meld together, making it even more delicious when chilled.

Amish Broccoli Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic Amish broccoli salad blends crisp vegetables with a tangy dressing for a refreshing side dish. Creamy and crunchy ingredients combine to create a delightful summer picnic favorite you’ll crave at potlucks and family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 head broccoli, chopped
• 1 head cauliflower, chopped
• 1/2 pound (227 grams) bacon, fried and crumbled
• 1 cup (113 grams) shredded Cheddar cheese

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar (or substitute)

Seasoning:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Chop fresh broccoli and cauliflower into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring consistent texture throughout the salad.
2. Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and salt in a separate mixing bowl until smooth and well-incorporated, creating a creamy and tangy dressing.
3. Gently fold the prepared dressing into the vegetable mixture, coating each piece thoroughly and evenly for maximum flavor distribution.
4. Crumble crispy bacon into small fragments and sprinkle generously throughout the salad, providing a smoky and crunchy element.
5. Incorporate shredded Cheddar cheese, mixing gently to prevent clumping and ensure even cheese coverage.
6. Garnish the top of the salad with reserved bacon crumbles and additional cheese for visual appeal and extra texture.
7. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and enhance overall taste profile.
8. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish, perfect for summer gatherings or picnics.

Notes

• Swap mayo for Greek yogurt to create a lighter, protein-packed version of the salad that’s healthier and still creamy.
• Toast sunflower seeds or sliced almonds for extra crunch and nutty flavor, adding depth to the traditional recipe.
• Reduce sugar or use a sugar substitute like stevia for a low-carb option that maintains the salad’s delicious taste profile.
• Prep vegetables ahead of time and store dressing separately to keep the salad crisp and prevent soggy textures before serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg