This crunchy Super Veggie Chopped Salad with BBQ Ranch Dressing is a combo of healthy veggies topped with a tangy dressing. It’s the perfect tasty salad to keep your diet in balance!
Today, I’m keeping us healthy guys! With the holidays on the horizon, and all the indulging we’ll be doing, I thought it would be the perfect time to share this Super Veggie Chopped Salad with BBQ Ranch Dressing. It’s OK. You don’t have to thank me. We’re friends, and that’s just what friends do for each other.
We all know Halloween is just a few short weeks away. And we all know what happens on Halloween don’t we? The kids go out trick or treating and when they get home to look at their candy stash, we sneak a piece (or two) (or three) when they’re not looking. No shame. (but please say I’m not the only one who’s ever done that?!)
If by chance you haven’t had your fill on Halloween, up next it’s Thanksgiving. The turkey, the stuffing, the cranberry sauce, the pumpkin pie….and the list goes on. And last but certainly not least, we’ve got Christmas and Hanukkah. It’s a vicious cycle friends. There’s food around every corner. So let’s make some of that food healthy, shall we?
This salad is full of texture. It’s a combo of crunchy chopped broccoli, cauliflower, red onion and kale, some shredded carrots, chewy golden raisins and just a smidgen of crispy bacon. Because we all know bacon make everything better. The BBQ ranch is the perfect dressing for this salad. I know I could have picked a healthier option, but you don’t need to overdo the dressing. But if you have another favorite dressing, by all means just substitute what you prefer.
I just prepare one packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing as directed and add 1/2 cup of my favorite BBQ sauce, one garlic clove, some fresh ground pepper and a dash of cayenne. I toss all the ingredients in a large bowl with just a small amount of the dressing and then serve extra dressing on the side.
Enjoy this one friends! Remember, it’s all about balance.
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon diced
- 4 cups kale chopped
- 4 cups broccoli florets chopped
- 3 cups cauliflower florets chopped
- 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing prepared according to package directions
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper
- dash of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine kale, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, red onion and golden raisins.
- Prepare dressing according to directions on packet. Add BBQ sauce, one garlic clove, 1/8 tsp. pepper and a dash of cayenne and mix until well blended.
- Add the bacon to the salad mixture in large bowl and toss with 1 cup of the dressing until well coated.
- Serve with extra dressing.
That is a beautiful bowl of goodness! Love the BBQ ranch dressing :)
Thanks Jennifer! I love the BBQ ranch too. Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Oh yes! Soon to be trouble around every corner! This salad is the perfect antidote to what’s about to go down! And I love that dressing! So clever!
Ha! Yes, definitely Annie! The next few months will be dangerous!
Yummo! I love broccoli in salads and this one is sure to be a favorite!
It’s really delicious Alida! Perfect for when I’m in need of a little something healthy!
It’s amazing how many awesome veggies you can sneak into a good chopped salad and it doesn’t even feel like you’re eating them! That dressing looks awesome too! Great way to keep things healthy before the holidays hit :)
I know Gina! So many distractions I forget it’s actually good for me! Hope you enjoy if you try!
I agree Mary Ann – it’s all about balance! If that means a glass of wine in one hand and a salad in the other, well so be it ;) I plan on not buying too much this year for Halloween, ’cause I’m always left with extra and ya know what that means? I’m into it<—-twist my arm, lol :D This salad, though! Love it! And that bbq ranch dressing? Perfection. Bet that would also be delicious for dunkin' some wings into….hehehe. Pinned, of course. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! xoxo
Yes to the wine! I like the way you think Dawn! Hope you have a wonderful weekend too!
This time of year is total trouble for my waistline! So I love that you’ve shared this scrumptious Super Veggie Chopped Salad! Love all the textures in here and that BBQ Ranch Dressing sounds perfect! Plus I love that you added a bit of bacon, because bacon makes the world go round! Haha. This would be a great side dish for Thanksgiving too!! Pinned! Cheers!
I know! It’s definitely a dangerous time of year! Too many delicious recipes floating around! Thanks for pinning Chey! Happy weekend! XO
Oh my Mary Ann, I know! The holidays are coming.. like a freight train! I finally sat down and started planning and I always seem to plan more then I can possibly do in a given amount of time. :/ I’m loving all the veggggies in this delectable salad! What a delicious combination paired with ranch.. and that tangy BBQ sauce!
The holidays will be here before we know it Traci! I’m trying to lose a few few before they get here!! This recipe will help! Happy weekend! XO
Oh my, Mary Ann – I love a good chopped salad – and this one looks absolutely delicious! Love the BBQ ranch dressing – that most be sooo good. Looking forward to trying this. And fall is not really here yet – still warm – but hopefully October will cool down a bit. Have a great week!
Me too Geraldine! That BBQ ranch makes this salad! I always have to add some extra pizzaz to my salad, so I’m more likely to enjoy them! Hope it starts to cool down there!
So many good things happening in this salad, it’s perfect!
Thanks Matt! Perfect option before all the holidays start!
Wow, this looks like such a great salad! I love the broccoli in here!
Thanks Tieghan!
Even my husband would eat this great salad if I leave out the kale. Have a great weekend Mary Ann
Yay!! My husband Tom won’t go anywhere near this one Gerlinde! Cauliflower and kale are dirty words in his book! If I served up the bacon in a bowl, he’d eat that though!
What a colorful salad!! <3 LOVE this.
And totally full of flavor! Thanks Jennifer!
Yes, the eating season is upon us so kudos to you of keeping things clean and healthy. It makes me feel less guilty when I indulge! :) Thanks of this one MaryAnn, love that BBQ Ranch idea.
Me too Kevin! Glad you like it. Happy weekend!
This is such a stunning salad MaryAnn!!! You have no idea how badly I wish this was my dinner tonight!! xoxo
Thanks so much Rebecca! Wish we lived closer! I’d share! XO
Shame on me! I’m totally guilty of stealing the kids’ Halloween candy! Thank goodness you made this beautiful salad with that to die for dressing to keep me honest and out of the candy stash! Pinned!
We’ve all been there Rachelle! This salad helps fill me up, so I don’t have to break out the fat pants!
Gah! I’d kill for this salad! Seriously, just name the person – or the food. Please tell me you want me to kill off this salad.
Glad you like it Amanda! It’s one of my favorites!
I love a good chopped salad and your BBQ ranch dressing totally makes this!
Yes, I agree! That dressing makes this salad! And the bacon!
This sounds delicious, perfect for autumn and I love the sound of your easy BBQ Ranch dressing.
So easy and so delicious! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
I am obsessed with chopped salads because you get goodness in every bite – no big pieces of lettuce that you can’t fit in your mouth. I want someone to make this for me every week so I can have it in my fridge for healthy lunches!
I love having extras of this salad in my frige Karen! Then I opt to eat this instead of something that’s not as healthy for me!
Oooh this is MY kind of salad, Mary Ann! It looks so beautiful and colorful with all those veggies and the dressing sounds delicious. Definitely going to be trying this soon!
Great Rachel! I think you’ll love this one! Happy weekend!
This is just a great bowl of goodness. The BBQ dressings sounds amazing.
You should definitely try it Zainab! The dressing really makes this salad!
There you go, making us healthy in the most delicious way possible – I do love that you got me some bacon in there! Gorgeous, gorgeous said – pinning!
Thanks Kate! Had to add the bacon!
This salad is just what I’m craving for lunch right now. And that dressing! YEESSS!!
Yay! So delicious Cathy! It’s one of my favorites!
Love its colours. The combination of different type of vegetables and bbq is awesome. And raisins is a great idea for topping.
In short, your salad is just perfect!!!!!
Thanks so much Sabrina! I totally love this one! Since I’m the only one at our house who would even attempt to eat kale, it’s all mine!
I made your recipe a few days ago and had to come back and tell you how delicious it was. Going to be a regular on our menu from now on.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Jill! I love that one. Especially the dressing! Thanks so much for stopping by to leave a comment! Happy weekend!
Wow ! it is a wonderful recipe with green vegetable. It will be a part of my morning meal list and hope I would made it at home. Thanks a lot for showing your recipe.
You’re welcome! This one is a favorite! Enjoy!