This salad is my love letter to crunchy things that make you feel like a responsible adult even when you’re dumpster-diving through the freezer for dinner. It’s broccoli and cauliflower tossed with a tangy-sweet dressing, crunchy add-ins, and enough personality to show up at a potluck and not get ignored. Why try it? Because it’s basically a vegetable party that doesn’t pretend to be a green smoothie, and also because bragging rights are free and plentiful.

Once, I tried to get my husband to help chop the veggies. He volunteered enthusiastically, stabbed broccoli like it owed him money, then announced we were out of bowls and started washing the one pan we weren’t using. The kids “helped” by taste-testing the dressing directly from the jar and then insisting the salad needed “more pineapple,” which in toddler meant the whole can. I learned two things: 1) delegation is a trap, and 2) always hide the pineapple if you want any left for the salad.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Just drop your email here and I'll send it right away! Plus you'll get new recipes every week. Yes please!

🥗

MORE OF OUR FAVORITE…

Why You’ll Love This Easy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipes

– Crunch like it’s trying to get a job in a cereal commercial.
– Sweet, tangy, and slightly rebellious — the salad equivalent of putting on sweatpants to a Zoom meeting.
– Can be mostly prepped ahead so you can pretend you’re an organized person.
– Kid-approved if your kids like raw vegetables or bribery (I’m not judging).
– Survives potlucks and shows up looking like it actually cares about appearance.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Buy pre-chopped broccoli and cauliflower if your knife skills are a crime scene waiting to happen.
– Use a bagged slaw mix for extra crunch without extra grief.
– Toss the dressing right in the serving bowl and mix with tongs — fewer bowls, more smugness.
– If you’re really desperate, swap fresh pineapple for drained canned. No one will hunt you down (probably).
– Microwave the florets for 30 seconds to take the raw edge off if someone in your house is committed to chewing rubber.

Serving Ideas

– Serve with grilled chicken or tofu to make it “a meal” instead of just a crunchy moral victory.
– Pair with a chilled white wine if the kids inflicted emotional damage that day.
– Bring to BBQs to look like you’re contributing something healthy while actually stealing the brisket.
– Keep it simple: put the salad on the table and declare, with confidence, that this is the side dish.

What to Serve It With

– Grilled meats (chicken, steak) for people who need protein proof.
– Sandwiches or wraps for quick lunches that make you look like you meal-prepped.
– A giant scoop next to roasted sweet potatoes for balance, because life is about compromise.

Tips & Mistakes

– Pro tip: Salt the dressing lightly first — you can always add more, but you can’t take salt out without dramatic measures.
– Don’t over-dress. Vegetables wilt faster than your willpower in a cookie aisle.
– If your nuts go soggy, blame the container and buy new ones. Or don’t. I won’t tell.

Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh. If you pre-dress it, expect slight softening after a day; keep extra dressing on the side if you want that fresh-crunch illusion.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts. Add raisins if you’re feeling nostalgic, bacon if you’re feeling honest, or chickpeas if you want to pretend it’s extra filling.

Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t have gluten… will this still work?

Yep. Use tamari or coconut aminos. You’ll survive and still brag about it online.

Do I have to peel the pineapple first?

Unless you enjoy chewing bark… yes, peel it. Your teeth will thank you.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

Sure. Just drain it well or enjoy syrup soup. Still tasty, though.

How sweet is this? Can I tone it down?

Absolutely. Cut the sugar—or don’t, and embrace the sugar rush.

What if I skip the sesame oil?

Then you’ll miss the nutty vibe, but relax—it’s still food. You’ll live.

Remember it later

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!