Welcome » Bacon Cauliflower Salad

In the spring of 2018, we fell in love with this cool, refreshing bacon cauliflower salad. The crispy, curly leaves of Romaine lettuce provide a beautiful contrast, but we also love it with chopped broccoli florets. We lightened up the dressing with plenty of whole milk yogurt, which adds a pleasant, fresh tang. Hearty enough to serve as a main, it plays nicely as a side for steak or chicken. Versatility is a must in the Miller kitchen!

Bacon Cauliflower Salad Recipe

Servings: 4
Calories per: 278
Active Time: 30 min
Total Time: 30 min
Difficulty: Easy

WHAT YOU NEED	WHAT TO DO	WHY
4 slices thick-sliced bacon, snipped into ½ inch squares 1 teaspoon ground black pepper Paper towels, 3 layers	Bacon: Use a kitchen shears to cut bacon into squares. Add to an empty a 3-quart tri-ply saucepan over low heat. Evenly distribute bacon and sprinkle with pepper. Brown, occasionally tossing with a bamboo spatula, until crispy (~9 minutes). Transfer to the paper towel to drain; set aside.	The high sides of the pan protect the stove against spatter. The Maillard (my YARD) reaction (browning) adds rich flavor. Bamboo is easy on cookware.
½ cup yogurt, plain whole milk 2 tablespoons real mayonnaise 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 teaspoon Italian herb mix 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder ⅛ teaspoon dill weed, dry ⅛ teaspoon dry mustard	Dressing: Whisk all together in a 5-quart bowl.	Yogurt lightens up the mixture without compromising the flavor.
12 ounces cauliflower florets, broken into bite-sized pieces 4 ounces (1 medium) red bell pepper, cubed to 3/4 inch 4 ounces Romaine lettuce, shredded 1 1/4 ounce (¼ cup) red onion, finely diced to 1/8 inch ¼ cup salted sunflower seeds	Add all to the dressing, along with half the bacon; toss with a silicon spatula. Transfer into a serving bowl and finish with remaining bacon. Serve promptly.	The dressing makes the sunflower seeds and bacon soggy if held over time.