Creamy Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn, and Bacon Salad Recipe (Weight Watchers Friendly)
Looking for a satisfying and flavorful salad that fits perfectly into a Weight Watchers plan? This Creamy Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn, and Bacon Salad is the ideal choice! Packed with fresh vegetables, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a creamy dressing, this salad is a wonderful balance of crunchy, creamy, and savory flavors. Not only is it delicious, but it can also be made in a way that fits into a variety of dietary preferences. Whether you’re preparing it as a side dish for a family dinner, a potluck, or a light main course, this salad is sure to impress.
Let’s dive into how to make this scrumptious salad, with detailed step-by-step instructions and useful tips along the way!
Ingredients:
Salad Ingredients:
- 3 cups broccoli florets (finely chopped)
- 3 cups cauliflower florets (finely chopped)
- 2 cups carrots (finely sliced)
- 15 oz sweet corn (drained)
- ½ cup red onion (diced)
- 10 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
Dressing Options:
Option 1: Ranch Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise (Light or reduced-fat mayonnaise for fewer points)
- ½ cup sour cream (or kefir or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 2 tablespoons dry Ranch seasoning mix (adjust to taste)
Option 2: Honey-Lemon Dressing (a sweeter, lighter option)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (Light or reduced-fat mayo recommended)
- ½ cup sour cream (or kefir or Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup honey (warmed or softened)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (to taste)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Salad Base
Begin by prepping your vegetables. Carefully chop the broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized florets. A food processor can help speed up this process, but make sure the pieces are small enough to be easy to eat and mix well with the other ingredients.
Slice the carrots thinly, ensuring they blend well with the other textures in the salad. Drain the canned sweet corn thoroughly, ensuring there’s no excess liquid left. Dice the red onion to add a bit of sharpness and color to the mix.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all of these fresh ingredients: chopped broccoli, cauliflower, sliced carrots, sweet corn, and red onion. Gently toss them together to evenly distribute the different vegetables.
Step 2: Cook and Chop the Bacon
For this salad, crispy bacon is key. If you’re using bacon strips, fry them in a pan or bake them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes or until they are nice and crisp. Once cooked, allow the bacon to cool for a minute, then chop it into small pieces. Set it aside to add later, making sure it’s crispy enough to maintain its crunch in the salad.
Step 3: Add the Cheese and Bacon
Once the salad base is prepared, add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and the chopped bacon to the bowl. The cheese adds richness, and the bacon brings that crispy, salty flavor that complements the vegetables beautifully. Mix everything gently, ensuring the ingredients are distributed evenly throughout the salad.
Step 4: Prepare the Dressing
Now it’s time to prepare the dressing. Depending on your flavor preference, choose either the Ranch Dressing or the Honey-Lemon Dressing.
For the Ranch Dressing: In a smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or kefir or Greek yogurt), and dry Ranch seasoning mix. Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning. Some people prefer a more tangy dressing, so feel free to add more ranch seasoning if needed. The ranch dressing brings a creamy and zesty flavor to the salad, perfect for those who enjoy a traditional dressing.
For the Honey-Lemon Dressing: In another bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream (or kefir or Greek yogurt), fresh lemon juice, and softened honey. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor, and whisk everything until it’s smooth and well-combined. This version offers a balanced sweetness from the honey, with the tanginess of lemon cutting through the richness of the mayonnaise and sour cream. This option is lighter and adds a refreshing twist to the salad.
Step 5: Dress the Salad
Once your dressing is prepared, it’s time to bring the salad together. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture, ensuring all of the ingredients are evenly coated. You can use a large spoon or salad tongs to toss the salad, mixing everything thoroughly. Be gentle during this step to avoid bruising the vegetables, particularly the delicate cauliflower and broccoli.
Step 6: Chill the Salad
After dressing the salad, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld together and gives the vegetables time to soften slightly, enhancing the overall taste. The longer it sits, the better it will taste as the ingredients have time to absorb the dressing.
Step 7: Serve the Salad
Before serving, give the salad a quick toss to refresh the dressing and ensure it’s evenly distributed. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding a bit more salt, pepper, or even a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.
Serve the salad chilled as a delightful side dish or enjoy it as a main course. This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, a light sandwich, or as a standalone meal.
Weight Watchers Points:
Ranch Dressing Option:
Using light mayonnaise and sour cream will keep the points lower. Typically, one serving of this salad (about 1/2 cup) with ranch dressing will be around 4-6 WW points.
Honey-Lemon Dressing Option:
This version is a bit lighter and should clock in at 3-5 WW points per serving, depending on how much honey you use. Using lighter alternatives like Greek yogurt or kefir instead of sour cream will also help reduce points.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Approximation):
- Calories: 200-250 kcal
- Protein: 8 grams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Carbohydrates: 14 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Sugar: 5 grams
- Sodium: 400-600 mg
- Calcium: 150-200 mg
- Iron: 1-2 mg
(Note: These values are estimates and can vary based on ingredient brands and portion sizes.)
Useful Tips for Making the Best Salad:
- Bacon Substitute: If you prefer a vegetarian version or need a lower-fat alternative, you can omit the bacon and instead use smoked tempeh or crispy chickpeas for that savory, crunchy texture.
- Cheese Alternatives: To make the salad even lighter, you can use a reduced-fat or dairy-free cheese substitute. This will reduce the overall fat content, making the salad even more Weight Watchers-friendly.
- Make-Ahead Option: This salad holds up well in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you’re preparing it ahead of time, be sure to store the dressing separately and add it right before serving to keep the vegetables fresh and crunchy.
- Customizing the Dressing: If you prefer a lower-fat or lighter option, you can swap the mayo for Greek yogurt, which will still provide creaminess but with fewer calories.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add extra veggies to increase the volume without adding too many calories. Bell peppers, cucumbers, or even a handful of spinach or arugula would make a great addition.
Why This Salad Works for Weight Watchers:
This Creamy Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn, and Bacon Salad is ideal for those on the Weight Watchers plan because it incorporates nutrient-dense vegetables that are low in calories but high in fiber. The combination of broccoli and cauliflower provides a satisfying crunch, while the carrots and corn offer sweetness, and the bacon and cheese add richness and flavor. The creamy dressing ties everything together without being overly indulgent, especially if you opt for lighter or reduced-fat versions of the ingredients.
By customizing the dressing and portion sizes, this salad can be tailored to fit any dietary preferences or specific WW points targets, making it a versatile and delicious addition to your meal plan.
Enjoy this salad as a side dish at your next family gathering or as a quick, satisfying lunch. With its vibrant colors, crunchy texture, and creamy dressing, it’s sure to become a favorite that you’ll want to make over and over again!