Cauliflower Pea Salad has an explosion of fun flavors and textures, plus it’s healthy! It has crisp cauliflower, yummy frozen peas, salty bacon, and crunchy cashews tossed in a creamy dilly ranch dressing! This is a great potluck side dish recipe, or perfect for weeknight dinners!
I’m beyond excited for grilling season to be here! It’s the BEST time of the year and this is the time of the year when I start craving fresh fruits and vegetables like crazy! Cashew Salad is perfect served with any grilled meat, at barbecues, potlucks, or right along with most weeknight dinners!
If you’re always on the hunt for easy side dish recipes you’ll love these
- Bacon and Peas– garlicky and buttery, quick and easy
- Oven Roasted Green Beans – with parmesan cheese
- Glazed Carrots– maple glaze
- Grilled Zucchini– in a foil packet for the easiest cleanup ever
Variations of this recipe
There are so many fun ways to make this recipe exactly what you want it to be. Here are a few ideas for making it healthier, or easy to make with ingredients you already have on hand.
- Plain Greek Yogurt- I love using yogurt instead of mayonnaise (Healthy)
- Bacon – add cooked and crumbled bacon for extra flavor
- Other kinds of nuts – use peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, or any other salty nut
- Add broccoli – use one cup chopped cauliflower and one cup chopped broccoli
- Omit onions – there’s still plenty of flavors
- Frozen Peas – I suggest using frozen green peas rather than canned.
Grab my Cauliflower Pea Salad Recipe
We love this salad served with these meals!
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs – make ahead
- 3 Ingredient Grilled Chicken– butter, salt, and pepper
- Marinated Steak – the BEST steak marinade with ingredients you already have
- Slow Cooker Drumsticks – fall apart tender with an amazing glaze
- Chicken Bacon Sandwiches – quick and easy
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Crunchy Cauliflower and Cashew Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 2 cups green peas thawed
- 1/8 cups scallions optional
- 1/4 cup Swiss cheese diced, optional
- 1/2 cup bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 Tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 tsp dill weed dried
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup cashews roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl mix together yogurt, sour cream, ranch seasoning, dill, salt, and pepper. Thin with a little milk if it looks too thick. You want it a little thinner than the consistency of sour cream.
- Add peas, cauliflower, bacon, onions, and cheese (if desired) to creamy mixture. Toss to coat.
- Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
- Cover and chill for at least an hour, or overnight.
- Just before serving sprinkle with cashews.
Nutrition
vksintx says
Even though recipe sounds a little strange, this salad is delicious!! We REALLY enjoyed it.
Amy Engberson says
I’m glad you gave it a try! I love the combination of flavors in this salad!
Gail Gullotti says
I wondered about cooking the cauliflower just a little, until al dente. It seems like that might soak up the sauce a little more. Has anyone tried that?
Amy Engberson says
That’s a great idea! I bet it would work perfectly! Let me know how it goes!
Melanie says
Great salad – did not have cashews or Swiss cheese, so I used walnuts & cheddar cheese. Even with these substitutions it was still yummy.
Amy Engberson says
I love substituting ingredients! It’s always fun to try the same old recipe in a new way! Glad it was so yummy!
Gregg says
Whoa…3T is way too much ranch. It killed the salad. eF!
Amy Engberson says
I guess I’m a ranch lover! Of course, you can always adjust seasonings to taste!
bk87 says
Sounds and looks delicious, thank you for sharing! Just curious why you chose to use both sour cream and Greek yogurt, couldn’t one just use all Greek yogurt? Is it due to consistently, texture, or flavor?
Amy Engberson says
I love Greek yogurt because it is so much healthier than eating sour cream or mayo. Since it has a little different flavor than sour cream I usually mix them together. I’m sure it would be fine to use only Greek yogurt though!
Erlene says
Yum this is making my mouth water. I love the mix of texture with the crunchy peanuts and veggies. Pinned.
Elaine Duckett says
An awesome combination of color and texture. Maybe you could try growing cauliflower in your garden this year, or have you already done that in the past?
Mom
Natasha In Oz says
What a delicious sounding recipe. I’m pinning this and will try it asap!
If you have a minute to spare I’d be thrilled if you could share your idea at my weekly Say G’Day Linky Party. It’s on now and this would be a fantastic addition.
Best wishes for a lovely week,
Natasha in Oz.
Amy Engberson says
I am ready for all fresh food! That’s what warm weather does for me! Thanks for the invite to your party!
Maria says
This looks like a great party salad! Cauliflower is such an overlooked and unappreciated vegetable!!! This looks wonderful!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks! I’m really the only one in my family who loves cauliflower, but after dressing it up a little they devoured it!
Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek says
Who ever thought cauliflower could look so good!
Amy Engberson says
I love pretty salads with lots of textures! This salad definitely has all of that!