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Published: Jun 22, 2019 · Modified: May 6, 2022 by Carolyn

Creamy Cauliflower Salad

Name: Creamy Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 large eggs; 1 large head cauliflower (cut into bite-sized pieces); 2 ribs celery (sliced); 6 slices cooked bacon (chopped); 2 medium green onions (white and light green parts only, chopped); ½ cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp lemon juice; ¼ tsp paprika; Salt and pepper to taste

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This cauliflower salad recipe goes with all your grilling favorites. It’s creamy, flavorful, and packed with classic potato salad ingredients. You won’t miss the spuds with this perfect keto side dish. And it’s dairy-free and paleo!

A bowl filled with keto cauliflower salad, with a serving spoon sticking out of it.

Grilling season is here and everyone is getting together for easy backyard parties and barbecues. And they’re bringing popular summer sides like potato salad. But you don’t eat potatoes, so what do you do?

You bring this keto cauliflower salad, of course! What a silly question.

This cauliflower salad recipe features all the great flavors and mix-ins of the potato salads you used to love as a kid, with a fraction of the carbs.

And because it’s so light and fresh, you can indulge in even more of it. SCORE!

Top down image of cauliflower salad in a serving bowl, with sliced hard boiled eggs on top.

Classic cauliflower salad for summer

Cauliflower salad has any number of possible twists and variations. It can be roasted, marinated, or lightly steamed. And you can play with the dressings and flavors to suit your tastes.

But this recipe takes its cues from the classic potato salad served frequently in the summer. It’s packed with hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, and some crispy bacon for good measure.

All tossed together in a large bowl for creamy summer salad perfection.

Ingredients

This delicious keto side dish is made with fresh ingredients available everywhere. You will need:

Cauliflower florets
Hard-boiled eggs
Celery
Bacon
Green onion
Mayonnaise
Dijon mustard
Lemon juice
Paprika
Salt and pepper

A large serving bowl with cauliflower salad, and a serving spoon to the side.

How to make creamy cauliflower salad

1. Hard-boil the eggs

Bring the water to a full boil before adding the eggs, the lower them in carefully with a slotted spoon. Set the timer for 12 minutes.

While the eggs are cooking, set up a bowl with water and ice. Once the eggs are done, transfer them straight to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Give them 10 minutes to cool and they should peel quite easily.

Chop 2 of the eggs for the salad dressing, and slice the third egg for garnish.

2. Cook the cauliflower

Cauliflower cooks much faster than potatoes, so you want a light touch here. Don’t even leave the kitchen, it will be done in a flash!

Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces and place in a large saucepan filled about halfway with water.

Bring to a boil and and cook only about 2 to 3 minutes before checking with a fork. You don’t be only just fork tender because it will keep cooking a bit once it’s off the stove.

Immediately drain in a colander and let it cool completely.

Close up shot of a serving bowl filled with classic cauliflower salad.

3. Put it all together

Place the cauliflower, chopped egg, bacon, celery, and green onion in a large bowl and toss to combine.

Add the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, and paprika and stir until everything is nicely coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and then garnish with the sliced egg and some additional paprika.

Place the salad in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes or so before serving.

A black bowl of cauliflower salad sits in front of the serving dish.

Storage information

Keto cauliflower salad is always best fresh, but the leftovers are good for several days. Store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Want more keto summer salad ideas?

Creamy Cauliflower Salad Recipe

A perfect cauliflower salad recipe, just in time for summer. Creamy, flavorful, and packed with all your favorite potato salad add-ins. You won't miss the spuds with this perfect keto side dish.

5 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cauliflower salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: servings

Calories: 238kcal

Ingredients

3 large eggs
1 large head cauliflower cut into bite-sized pieces
2 ribs celery sliced
6 slices cooked bacon chopped
2 medium green onions white and light green parts only, chopped
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a large pot over medium high heat, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Gently lower the eggs into the water and boil about 12 minutes.
While the eggs are cooking, fill a medium bowl with ice and water. Once the eggs are done, quickly transfer the eggs to the ice bath. Let sit 10 minutes before peeling. Chop 2 of the eggs and slice the third.
In another large pot, place the cauliflower florets and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and cook until the cauliflower is just fork tender, about 3 minutes. Drain in a colander and let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the chopped eggs, cauliflower, celery, bacon, and green onions, and toss to combine. Add the mayonnaise, Dijon, lemon juice, and paprika. Stir until well mixed and the cauliflower is well coated.
Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the sliced egg.

Nutrition Facts

Creamy Cauliflower Salad Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving = about ¾ cup)

Calories 238 Calories from Fat 180

% Daily Value*

Fat 20g31%

Carbohydrates 6.5g2%

Fiber 2.5g10%

Protein 7.5g15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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