If you've been craving a potato salad but are on a keto diet, you're going to love this recipe! This keto cauliflower potato salad contains all of the creamy deliciousness of regular potato salad without the carbs.
This mock potato salad is seasoned to perfection and tastes so close to the real thing. I made it for my kids the other day and they couldn't tell the difference from traditional potato salad. It's that good!
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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.
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Ingredients Used
This low-carb salad is made with ingredients you can find at your 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 This Delicious Side Dish
- 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.
Prepare the cauliflower in an instant pot
- Pour one cup of cold water into the instant pot and add the cauliflower florets.
- Then, place the lid and seal the pressure valve on the instant pot.
- Next, set it to manual for five minutes and then quick release.
- Drain the cauliflower, then follow the rest of the instructions above.
- Refrigerate and serve!
Storing and Reheating
Store your tasty cauliflower 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. Savor this creamy and delicious low carb cauliflower potato salad cold.
What can I eat this recipe with?
This delicious keto potato salad will be wonderful as a stand-alone meal. Its ingredients and creaminess make it an excellent dish when enjoyed alone.
Generally, I like to pair this cauliflower potato salad with meat and fish recipes. It is a hit with this air fryer chicken thighs and my favorite air fryer lamb chops. So delightful!
Tips and variations
- If you're in a hurry, you can make this low carb potato salad in the microwave. Place cauliflower florets in the microwave-safe bowl with three tablespoons of water. Microwave them till soft, then mix it with the remaining ingredients in a large salad bowl. But I highly recommend roasting for maximum flavor.
- You can also make the bacon in the air fryer to save time.
- Add some apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and dijon mustard to the delicious cauliflower salad for more flavor.
- You can also use greek yogurt or sour cream instead of mayo. Absolute yum!
Frequently asked questions
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!
📖 Recipe
Keto Cauliflower Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower
- ½ cup spicy mayo
- 4 slices bacon
- 3 large eggs boiled
- 3 green onions
- 2 stalks celery
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- pinch of salt
- pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Arrange the cauliflower florets on a baking sheet, in a single layer.
- Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle salt and black pepper.
- Bake for 25 minutes and let it cool down a bit when done.
- As the cauliflower is being roasted, place the bacon on a hot pan and cook till crispy.
- Break into smaller pieces.
- Also boil the eggs, if not already boiled, and chop into pieces.
- Add the cauliflower to a large bowl.
- Add the bacon, eggs, mayo, celery, green onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
- Mix thoroughly and chill before serving.
Prepare the cauliflower in an instant pot
- Pour one cup of cold water into the instant pot and add the cauliflower florets.
- Then, place the lid and seal the pressure valve on the instant pot.
- Next, set it to manual for five minutes and then quick release.
- Drain the cauliflower, then follow the rest of the instructions above.
- Refrigerate and serve!
Notes
- If you're in a hurry, you can make this low carb potato salad in the microwave. Place cauliflower florets in the microwave-safe bowl with three tablespoons of water. Microwave it for about three minutes, then mix it with the remaining ingredients in a large salad bowl. But I highly recommend roasting for maximum flavor.
- You can also make the bacon in the air fryer to save time.
- Add some apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and dijon mustard to the delicious cauliflower salad for more flavor.
- You can also use greek yogurt or sour cream instead of mayo. Absolute yum!
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