This healthy broccoli cauliflower salad is creamy, high-protein, and fiber-packed, giving you a lighter, delicious twist on the classic.

For more creamy and healthy salad recipes, check out our greek lentil salad, apple chickpea salad, black bean corn salad, and chickpea cucumber salad with life-changing marinade.

Healthy broccoli cauliflower salad with Greek yogurt dressing close up in a white bowl.

Wholesome Crunch with a Protein-Packed Dressing

Looking for a fresh twist on a classic salad? 🥦 This healthy broccoli cauliflower salad is creamy, crunchy, and naturally satisfying without being heavy. It’s the perfect choice if you want something that feels indulgent but is actually light and nutrient-dense.

Instead of the usual mayo-heavy dressing, this recipe uses Greek yogurt for extra protein and a little optional mayo for richness. The result is a creamy broccoli cauliflower salad that’s both flavorful and wholesome.

Overhead view of creamy healthy broccoli cauliflower salad with sun dried tomatoes and cranberries.

We pack it with fiber-rich veggies, sweet dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and savory sun-dried tomatoes instead of bacon. 🌿 It’s a Mediterranean-style broccoli salad that supports a balanced diet while staying delicious enough for potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners.

Louise and I love making this whenever we want a colorful side dish that’s both nourishing and crowd-pleasing. 💛 One bite, and you’ll see why it’s become one of our favorites!

Ingredients

Find complete ingredient list, quantities, and substitutions in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.

Ingredients for healthy broccoli cauliflower salad with Greek yogurt dressing arranged on table.
  • Broccoli: fresh broccoli florets give crunch and fiber. Swap with blanched green beans for a different healthy potluck salad.
  • Cauliflower: raw cauliflower keeps the salad crisp. Try romanesco for a fun twist or shredded cabbage for a creamy broccoli cauliflower salad variation.
  • Red Onion: sharp and colorful. Substitute with shallots or green onions for a milder bite.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: rich and savory, they replace bacon in this Mediterranean style broccoli salad. You can also use roasted red peppers.
  • Dried Cranberries: add tangy sweetness. Raisins, chopped dates, or pomegranate seeds work well too.
  • Almonds: toasted almonds bring crunch. Use walnuts, pecans, or even pumpkin seeds if you prefer.
  • Sunflower Seeds: nutty flavor and texture. Sub with flax seeds, hemp seeds, or chia seeds for extra nutrition.

For the Dressing

  • Greek Yogurt: creamy and high-protein. Use non-dairy yogurt for a vegan option. Skyr also works in a pinch.
  • Mayonnaise: just a touch for richness. Skip it, or use vegan mayo if you want no mayo broccoli cauliflower salad.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: adds tang. Substitute with white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Dijon Mustard: bold and zesty. Yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard are good swaps.
  • Honey: balances the flavors. Replace with maple syrup or agave nectar for a vegan-friendly salad.

How to Make Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing

Step 1 – Make the Creamy Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, a touch of mayonnaise (optional), apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper. The Greek yogurt makes this dressing extra creamy and protein-rich, perfect for a high protein vegetable salad.

Step 2 Whisking Greek yogurt dressing with vinegar mustard and honey for creamy broccoli cauliflower salad.

Step 2 – Chop the Veggies

Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into small, bite-sized florets and trim the stems into little pieces. Place everything in a large mixing bowl so the base of your salad is ready.

Step 1 Chopped broccoli and cauliflower florets in mixing bowl for healthy broccoli cauliflower salad.

Step 3 – Add the Toppings

Mix in the chopped red onion, toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and sun-dried tomatoes (I’d recommend cutting them with scissors). These add crunch, sweetness, and a savory punch that makes this a healthy potluck salad everyone will enjoy.

Step 3 Adding onion nuts cranberries and sun dried tomatoes to broccoli and cauliflower salad base.

Step 4 – Toss and Chill

Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss until everything is well coated. Chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

Step 4 Tossing healthy broccoli cauliflower salad with creamy Greek yogurt dressing before chilling.

Tips

  • Chop the veggies small: Smaller florets make the salad easier to eat and give a better mix of flavors.
  • Toast the nuts: Lightly toasting almonds (or any nut you use) adds crunch and brings out their flavor. You can toast them on a skillet, in the oven, or in the air-fryer.
  • Soak the onion: If you prefer a milder bite, soak chopped onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding.
  • Choose quality yogurt: Thick, plain Greek yogurt makes the dressing creamy without being heavy, perfect for a no mayo broccoli cauliflower salad variation.
  • Balance the flavors: Taste the dressing and adjust vinegar, honey, or mustard to your liking before mixing it in.
  • Chill before serving: Let the salad rest in the fridge for at least 15 minutes so the flavors meld into a creamy broccoli cauliflower salad that’s refreshing and crisp.
  • Make it ahead: This healthy summer salad recipe holds up well for a few hours in the fridge, making it ideal for meal prep or potlucks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat broccoli and cauliflower raw?

Yes! Both are perfectly safe and nutritious to enjoy raw. In fact, their crunch makes this salad extra refreshing.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Definitely. You can prepare it a few hours in advance and keep it in the fridge. The flavors meld beautifully, making it a great easy summer salad recipe.

What can I use instead of Greek yogurt?

You can swap Greek yogurt for non-dairy yogurt, skyr, sour cream, or a mix of mayo and yogurt. This keeps it creamy and satisfying while still being a vegetarian broccoli cauliflower salad.

How long does it last in the fridge?

The salad keeps well for 2–3 days when stored in an airtight container. Just give it a stir before serving.

More Easy Salad Recipes

If you tried this healthy broccoli cauliflower salad recipe or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!

Fresh healthy broccoli cauliflower salad with Greek yogurt dressing served in a bowl with silver spoon.

Healthy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing

5 from 2 votes
This healthy broccoli cauliflower salad is creamy, protein-rich, and fiber-packed, giving you a lighter, fresher twist on the classic side dish. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or meal prep, it’s a wholesome recipe that’s as delicious as it is nutritious.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 up to 8
Course: salad, Side dish
Cuisine: American-Mediterranean

Ingredients 

  • 1 small broccoli (about ¾ pound / 340 grams)
  • 1 small cauliflower (about ¾ pound / 340 grams)
  • 1 small red onion finely chopped
  • ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes drained from oil and chopped
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup almonds toasted and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds or other seeds

For the Dressing

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt or non-dairy yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or vegan mayo – optional
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste + black pepper

Instructions 

  • Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional), 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, ¾ teaspoon salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
    Step 2 Whisking Greek yogurt dressing with vinegar mustard and honey for creamy broccoli cauliflower salad.
  • Chop the Veggies: Cut 1 small broccoli and 1 small cauliflower into bite-sized florets and small stem pieces. Add to a large bowl.
    Step 1 Chopped broccoli and cauliflower florets in mixing bowl for healthy broccoli cauliflower salad.
  • Add the Toppings: Stir in 1 small red onion (chopped), ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped), ½ cup dried cranberries, ¼ cup almonds (chopped), and 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds.
    Step 3 Adding onion nuts cranberries and sun dried tomatoes to broccoli and cauliflower salad base.
  • Toss and Chill: Combine with dressing, toss well, and chill 15–20 minutes before serving.
    Step 4 Tossing healthy broccoli cauliflower salad with creamy Greek yogurt dressing before chilling.

Notes

Substitutions
  • Broccoli → Blanched green beans or snap peas.
  • Cauliflower → Romanesco or shredded cabbage.
  • Red Onion → Shallots or green onions.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes → Roasted red peppers or cherry tomatoes.
  • Dried Cranberries → Raisins, chopped dates, or pomegranate seeds.
  • Almonds → Walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds.
  • Sunflower Seeds → Flax seeds, hemp seeds, or chia seeds.
For the Dressing
  • Greek Yogurt → Non-dairy yogurt or Skyr.
  • Mayonnaise → Skip it or use vegan mayo.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar → White wine vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Dijon Mustard → Yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard.
  • Honey → Maple syrup or agave nectar.
 
Tips
  • Chop veggies small → Easier to eat and gives the best flavor mix.
  • Toast the nuts → Adds crunch and deeper flavor; use a skillet, oven, or air fryer.
  • Soak the onion → A quick 10-minute soak in cold water makes it milder.
  • Pick good yogurt → Thick Greek yogurt keeps it creamy and light, great for a no mayo broccoli cauliflower salad.
  • Taste as you go → Adjust vinegar, honey, or mustard until the dressing is just right.
  • Chill before serving → A short rest in the fridge makes it a creamy broccoli cauliflower salad with crisp veggies.
  • Make ahead friendly → This healthy summer salad recipe holds up well for meal prep or potlucks.
 
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 6, Calories: 234kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 415mg, Potassium: 1074mg, Dietary Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 507IU, Vitamin B6: 0.4mg, Vitamin C: 86mg, Vitamin E: 4mg, Vitamin K: 82µg, Calcium: 121mg, Folate: 96µg, Iron: 3mg, Manganese: 1mg, Magnesium: 87mg, Zinc: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or mention @theplantbasedschool on Instagram. We love hearing from you ⭐️ 💚.

Nico and Louise in front of the Consolazione church in Todi

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

We’re here to share delicious, easy, and healthy plant-based recipes (vegetarian & vegan) 🌿✨.

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5 from 2 votes

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