St Louis Salad Recipe: Easy Steps & Full Ingredient List

If you’re hunting for a salad that’s easy, crowd-pleasing, and packed with crunchy veggies, the St. Louis salad fits the bill perfectly 🥗. It’s the kind of dish that vanishes at potlucks and dinner tables alike. This salad combines fresh broccoli, cauliflower, red onion, bacon, parmesan, and a creamy, tangy dressing for a simple yet satisfying bite.

A bowl of St. Louis salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, pecans, blue cheese, and fried cheese cubes on a wooden table with a small bowl of dressing and salad utensils.

People love this salad because it balances crisp vegetables with a touch of sweetness and savory bacon. It’s not fancy, but it’s got personality—like that friend who’s always the life of the party without trying too hard. The flavors are straightforward but memorable, making it a classic that’s worth keeping around in the recipe box 🍴.

What’s really neat is how quick it comes together—mix the dressing, toss in the chopped veggies, sprinkle on some bacon and parmesan, and you’re set in about 20 minutes. It’s great for casual meals or when the craving for something fresh and flavorful hits without needing to raid the fridge for complicated ingredients 😋.

Ingredients List & Step-By-Step Instructions For St Louis Salad Recipe

This St Louis Salad brings together fresh veggies, cheesy goodness, crispy bacon, and a creamy dressing for a perfect balance of flavors. The key is the mix of broccoli and cauliflower florets combined with red onion, Swiss or Parmesan cheese, and a tangy mayo-based dressing enhanced with lemon juice and a bit of sugar.

Ingredient Quantity
Broccoli florets 2 cups
Cauliflower florets 2 cups
Red onion, thinly sliced ½ cup
Swiss or Parmesan cheese, shredded 1 cup
Bacon, fried and crumbled 6 slices
Mayonnaise 1 cup
Sour cream 1 cup
Lemon juice 1 tablespoon
Sugar 1 tablespoon
Salt & Black pepper To taste

Step 1

Start by breaking the broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Rinse them well under cold water to keep them crisp and fresh. Thinly slice half a cup of red onion for that punch of sharpness that wakes up the salad.

Next, fry six slices of bacon until they’re crispy and crumble them. This bacon adds a smoky crunch that’s absolutely irresistible. Toss the broccoli, cauliflower, red onion, and bacon into a large mixing bowl. Salt and freshly ground black pepper will bring the flavors to life here, so don’t be shy to season.

Step 2

Now it’s dressing time! Combine one cup each of mayonnaise and sour cream in a separate bowl. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and a tablespoon of sugar to balance the creaminess with a hint of tang and sweetness.

Whisk this mixture until smooth and creamy. This dressing is the magic behind the salad’s richness, so tasting as you go is a good rule—feel free to add a bit more lemon juice or sugar if you like it zingier or sweeter.

Step 3

Pour the dressing evenly over the veggie and bacon mix. Toss gently but thoroughly—you want every bit coated without smashing the florets. Lastly, sprinkle in one cup of shredded Swiss or Parmesan cheese to add that cheesy nutty layer.

Pop the salad into the fridge for at least two hours or overnight. This chilling step lets flavors meld like good old friends catching up. Give it a final toss before serving to redistribute the dressing and cheese. Perfect as a side or topped with grilled chicken or shrimp for a hearty meal! 🥗🍗🦐

Chef Melanie

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