Description
This Ultimate Veggie Chopped Salad is a refreshing and crunchy mix of finely chopped broccoli, cauliflower, celery, peas, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing and finished with salted peanuts for an extra crunch. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish, this salad offers a vibrant combination of textures and savory flavors with a delightful creamy dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Mix-ins
- 3 cups broccoli, finely chopped
- 3 cups cauliflower, finely chopped
- 3 cups celery, finely chopped
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 0.75 cups salted peanuts
Dressing
- 1.33 cups mayonnaise
- 0.25 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Salad Preparation: Finely chop the broccoli, cauliflower, and celery, and thaw the frozen peas. Cook the bacon strips until crispy, then crumble them into small pieces.
- Combine Vegetables and Bacon: In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli, cauliflower, celery, thawed peas, and crumbled bacon. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Mix the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, grated Parmesan cheese, cider vinegar, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the creamy dressing over the vegetable and bacon mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Add Peanuts: Stir in the salted peanuts carefully, folding them in gently to preserve their crunchiness within the salad.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold as a refreshing and flavorful dish.
Notes
- Finely chopping vegetables ensures a consistent texture and easier eating experience.
- Using thawed frozen peas adds sweetness and texture without extra prep.
- Cooking bacon until crisp adds a savory crunch that complements the fresh veggies.
- The salad benefits from chilling to meld flavors and enhance taste.
- Adjust sugar in the dressing according to your preferred sweetness level.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and consider adding roasted chickpeas for crunch.
