Amish Broccoli Salad

Amish Broccoli Salad is made with bite-size broccoli and cauliflower florets tossed with bacon and cheese in a creamy dressing. It’s a simple side dish recipe that is quick and easy to make and excellent to serve at barbecues, cookouts and potlucks. This recipe is naturally gluten free and can easily be adapted to suite a keto diet, as well.

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Growing up in Delaware, we often traveled to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to go shopping at the outlets and visit one of our family’s favorite restaurants – Shady Maple. They have a huge smorgasbord loaded with all homemade Pennsylvania Dutch food prepared by their Amish staff. It’s quite the experience and very reasonably priced. If you are ever in the area, I would highly recommend stopping in.

There is also an Amish community in Delaware. While I’ve spent most of my years in the northern part of the state, I did live further south for several years. Occasional trips to Byler’s always meant we were coming home with some homemade Amish baked goods and more!

I’ve always loved Amish potato salad and Amish macaroni salad, but only recently learned of Amish Broccoli Salad. It’s actually pretty similar to my recipe for Keto Broccoli Salad, but with a few differences, like the addition of cauliflower. It also has bacon, cheese and a creamy dressing. What’s not to love?

If you’ve been here before, odds are you’ve come across one of my many cauliflower recipes. Strange as it may be, I’m kind of obsessed with this cruciferous veggie and the more ways to enjoy it, the better. Obviously, I had to recreate my own Amish Broccoli Salad and share it with all of you.

Why This Recipe Works

This is a quick and easy recipe. The most work you’re going to have to do is cook the bacon and chop or shred everything.

It’s a perfect summer side dish for backyard barbecues and gatherings. It’s even great for potlucks as a way to introduce something that may be a bit new and different to family and friends.

This recipe is naturally gluten free and low carb. If you follow a stricter keto diet, simply make sure to use a keto friendly mayonnaise like Sir Kensington and a sugar substitute. I use erythritol.

How To Make Amish Broccoli Salad

Ingredients

• Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets: this recipe calls for raw broccoli and cauliflower, so you will want to buy both fresh.
• Shallot: I always use shallots instead of onion, but if you prefer to use a small red onion, it is actually more traditional.
• Bacon: you can use leftover bacon, if you have it on hand.
• Cheddar Cheese: I always recommend shredding your own cheese fresh from a block, unless you don’t mind the added starch in pre-shredded bags of cheese.
• Sugar: or you can use a sugar substitute, if needed.
• Mayonnaise: again, make sure to read the labels if you are keeping a close eye on your carbohydrates and/or sugar intake.
• Sour Cream
• Salt and Pepper

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Rinse the broccoli and cauliflower, then cut into bite-size pieces. Mince the shallot and shred the cheddar cheese.

If you are not using leftover bacon, you will need to dice it and cook it in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool.

Create!

Combine the broccoli, cauliflower, shallot, bacon and cheese in a large bowl.

Chef’s Tip: you can reserve some of the bacon and cheese to use as garnish.

In a separate smaller bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream and sugar. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Chef’s Tip: for a sweeter dressing, you can add up to 1/4 cup more sugar.

Add the dressing to the vegetables and toss to combine. 

Present!

Transfer the salad to a serving dish. Top with extra or reserved bacon and cheese, if desired. You can also add fresh parsley, chives or green onions.

Tips and Techniques

• You can reserve some of the bacon and cheese to use as garnish, or add parsley or slices of green onion to dress it up a little more.
• For best results, shred cheese from a block. This is to avoid added starches in pre-shredded bags of cheese.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 2 days for best results. If the Amish broccoli salad was left out for 2 hours or longer, discard it.

FAQ’s

How Long Ahead Of Time Can Amish Broccoli Salad Be Made?

Broccoli salad can be made up to 4 days in advance, if you keep the salad and the dressing separate. If the salad is fully prepared, it will last for 2 days if kept in the refrigerator.

How Long Can Amish Broccoli Salad Sit Out?

Amish broccoli salad should not sit out longer than 2 hours at room temperature and even less in hotter temperatures.

Should you need to serve guests for a longer period of time, keep some in the refrigerator until needed, discarding the leftover from the first batch when necessary.

Can You Freeze Amish Broccoli Salad?

While you can freeze broccoli salad, it is not recommended. The dressing does not thaw well and the texture may not be pleasant.

Is Amish Broccoli Salad Keto?

Amish broccoli salad can easily be made keto-friendly. Simple use a keto-friendly mayonnaise and sugar substitute like erythritol.

More Summer Side Dish Recipes

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