You are going to love this keto cauliflower potato salad because it has all the creamy, comforting goodness of the classic version without the heavy carbs. It is the perfect side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks, or just a simple weeknight dinner. I have found that even my kids couldn’t tell the difference between this and traditional potato salad. It really is that good!
I know how hard it can be to give up your favorite comfort foods when you start a low-carb journey. That is why I worked so hard to get this recipe just right. I wanted something that felt like the real deal so you never feel like you are missing out.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I prefer using cauliflower as a potato substitute because it has a similar texture and a very mild flavor. When I roast the florets instead of boiling them, they get a wonderful depth of flavor that you just can’t get any other way. You will find that this salad is seasoned to perfection and stays fresh in the fridge for days.
Is Potato Salad Keto-Friendly?
No, potato salad isn’t keto-friendly, but that’s the reason for this cauliflower potato salad recipe. Potatoes are high in carbs, so you should avoid eating them while on a low-carb or keto diet.
However, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a delicious bowl of potato salad (without the potatoes, of course!). This keto cauliflower recipe tastes just like the real potato salad.
What’s great about this faux potato salad is that it has a similar texture to the classic potato salad without the cauliflower taste. It’s one of my favorite cauliflower recipes and is on regular rotation in my home.
Ingredients I Use
I like to keep things simple and use ingredients that you can find at any local grocery store.
- Vegetables: Cauliflower, green onions, and celery. These will be chopped and added to the mock potato salad. I use one medium head of cauliflower cut into small florets. I suggest you use fresh, not frozen cauliflower since you will bake them.
- Spicy mayo: For this recipe, I use my spicy homemade mayo. Store-bought ones are too salty for me and contain additives I need to avoid while on a keto diet, so I make mine. This way, I can be sure that I’m eating only safe, keto-friendly ingredients. You can also make regular keto mayonnaise if you don’t want it spicy. And if you prefer, you can buy yours from the grocery store.
- Bacon: I like to add this for crunchiness.
- Boiled Eggs: I use large eggs. Boil and chop the hard-boiled eggs like you would for a salad.
- Olive oil: This helps the cauliflower not dry out while being baked.
- Spices: Garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper are the spices I use for flavor.
How To Make Keto Cauliflower Potato Salad
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Wash the cauliflower and other ingredients, then pat dry with paper towels. Next, cut the cauliflower into smaller florets and chop the other ingredients. Arrange the cut cauliflower florets on a baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle some olive oil on it and sprinkle salt and black pepper.
- Bake for 25 minutes and let it cool down to room temperature when done. As the cauliflower is roasting, place the bacon on a hot pan and cook till it’s crispy. Then break it into smaller pieces. Also boil the eggs, if not already boiled, and chop them into pieces.
- Put the cooked cauliflower in a large bowl. Then add the bacon, eggs, celery, and green onions to the bowl.
- Combine the mayonnaise, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder in a small bowl. Then pour the mixture into the large bowl with the other ingredients. Mix everything thoroughly and chill before serving.
How I Store and Reheat this Salad
You can store this keto potato salad in the refrigerator for up to five days. Enjoy it during this time while it is still fresh.
I don’t recommend you freeze it because salads are generally eaten while fresh. Freezing, and then later, thawing it might change the taste and texture. However, you can freeze it if you choose to. First, put it in an air-tight container.
This salad, like others, is to be enjoyed cold right from the fridge. There’s no need to reheat it before eating.
What To Serve With Keto Potato Salad
This keto potato salad with cauliflower is wonderful as a stand-alone meal. Its ingredients and creaminess make it an excellent dish when enjoyed alone.
Generally, I like to pair it with meat and fish recipes. It is a hit with this air fryer chicken thighs and my favorite air fryer lamb chops. So delightful!
If you want to serve this for a potluck or gathering, here are some other amazing low carb dishes that go with this recipe:
Blackened Shrimp
BBQ Shrimp Skewers
Beef Kabob
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Shredded Beef
How to Get it Right Every Time
I have found that the secret to a perfect salad is all in the cooling process. You should always let your roasted cauliflower reach room temperature before you stir in the dressing. I have noticed that if the florets are even a little bit warm, the mayo will melt and leave you with an oily mess.
I also suggest you pat the cauliflower completely dry before roasting. This ensures you get those lovely golden edges that provide so much flavor and texture.
If you want to experiment with the flavors, here are a few things I like to do:
- Add some tang: You can stir in a splash of apple cider vinegar or a bit of Dijon mustard for a sharper bite.
- Switch the dressing: I sometimes use sour cream or Greek yogurt in place of the mayo for a different kind of creaminess.
- Try more crunch: I find that adding diced radishes or even a bit of chopped red onion gives the salad a wonderful fresh “snap” in every mouthful.
Questions You Might Have
No, potato isn’t keto-friendly. It is high in carbs and sugars and this will put you over your daily carb limit on a keto diet. It will also kick you out of ketosis.
While on a keto diet, you can replace potatoes in your dishes with cauliflower. Cauliflower has a similar texture to potatoes when slightly baked or boiled, so they’re a great substitute. Radishes also make a great substitute.
You can have some store-bought mayonnaise while on a keto diet. However, many of them contain carbs, additives, and added sugars and they must be avoided. If you must use store-bought mayo, make sure to read the label for the nutrition facts. I prefer to make mine at home to avoid carbs and sugars.
Check out these other delicious side dishes!
Keto Cucumber Bites
Keto Coleslaw
Instant Pot Asparagus
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
Air Fryer Broccoli
📖 Recipe
Keto Cauliflower Potato Salad
You are going to love this keto cauliflower potato salad because it has all the creamy, comforting goodness of the classic version without the heavy carbs. It is the perfect side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks, or just a simple weeknight dinner.
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Servings: 6
Calories: 178kcal
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Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400F.
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Arrange the cauliflower florets on a baking sheet, in a single layer.
1 medium cauliflower
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Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle salt and black pepper.
2 tablespoon olive oil, pinch of black pepper, pinch of salt
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Bake for 25 minutes and let it cool down a bit when done.
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As the cauliflower is being roasted, place the bacon on a hot pan and cook till crispy.
4 slices bacon
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Break into smaller pieces.
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Also boil the eggs, if not already boiled, and chop into pieces.
3 large eggs
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Add the cauliflower to a large bowl.
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Add the bacon, eggs, mayo, celery, green onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
½ cup spicy mayo, 3 green onions, 2 stalks celery, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder
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Mix thoroughly and chill before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
Tayo Oredola is the founder of Low Carb Africa, where she shares healthy, low carb dishes with global flavors. She is passionate about teaching people how to cook drool-worthy dishes while losing weight and living their best lives. Tayo’s recipes have been featured on MSN, Women’s Health, Parade, Yahoo News, Pure Wow, Essence, and other online publications.