Crunchy Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Barbecue Ranch

Today we’re taking THE VERY BEST BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS (yes, caps lock is needed here, don’t judge me) and putting them on a salad with a homemade barbecue ranch dressing and allll the crunchy buffalo wing necessities (like celery, because duh).

It’s a little spicy, a little sweet, a bit tangy, kind of weird, a lot of crunch, and totally amazing.

Plus, if you happen to have leftover buffalo cauliflower wings and homemade ranch lying around (you don’t, I know, but if you did…) this salad literally takes 2.5 minutes to put together.

Let’s make it!

First, get going on a batch of THE VERY BEST BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS. Yes, I’m still capitalizing it. They’re that good.

Next, stir together some homemade greek yogurt ranch.

Then, PLOT TWIST, drizzle some barbecue sauce into the ranch and stir it up to transform it from a thick dip to a drizzly dressing. I know it feels so wrong, but it tastes so right. Just trust me on this…the little kick of smoky sweetness is so dreamy when drizzled over a salad.

Toss crunchy romaine lettuce with shredded purple cabbage and thinly sliced celery, top with avocado slices and slivered almonds, then pile high the cauliflower + bbq ranch.

Every bite is full of bold flavor and crisp texture, and the combination of spicy buffalo cauliflower with creamy barbecue ranch is just so perfect.

Feeling adventurous? Toss in a handful of sunflower seeds or crumbly blue cheese, add some shredded carrots into the mix with the cabbage, or sprinkle with some crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat.

Whether you eat it as is, or snazz it up, I think you are going to FLIP over this salad. It’s seriously my current favorite dinner on a hot day, and would be a totally fun way to mix up your next backyard barbecue or summer get-together.

If you make this recipe, let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, or take a picture of your salad and share it with me on Instagram so I can see!

Crunchy Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Barbecue Ranch

Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 2-4

Ingredients:

• 1 batch buffalo cauliflower wings
• 1 batch greek yogurt ranch
• 2 Tablespoons barbecue sauce
• 2 heads romaine lettuce
• 1/2 a small purple cabbage (to yield about 1 cup, shredded)
• 1 large celery stalk
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Instructions:

1. Make buffalo cauliflower wings and ranch according to recipe instructions. Mix barbecue sauce with the ranch. Taste and add more, if desired, to achieve your preferred dressing consistency.
2. Roughly chop the romaine lettuce and place in a large bowl. Thinly slice the cabbage and celery and add them to the bowl, tossing all three together.
3. Cut avocado in half, remove pit, scoop out the flesh, and thinly slice.
4. Top lettuce with buffalo cauliflower, sliced almonds, avocado, and ranch dressing. Serve immediately.

#buffalo cauliflower salad, #buffalo salad, #crunchy buffalo cauliflower salad with barbecue ranch, #gluten free, #plant based