This loaded Cauliflower Salad recipe is the perfect summertime dish made with fresh cauliflower, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, salted almonds, red onion, and creamy mayo. It makes a great light lunch or side dish for BBQs and group gatherings!
Whip up this light and refreshing cauliflower salad with bacon for a tasty twist on traditional vegetables. This recipe is super easy to toss together in a bowl and serve as an anytime meal. The bacon is the only ingredient that requires cooking; everything else is raw, making for a perfect cold cauliflower salad!
It is a healthy low-carb option packed with nutritious veggies and is naturally gluten-free. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious side dish, a light lunch option, or a colorful addition to a summer potluck spread, you’ll love this flavorful recipe. If you’re looking for more easy side dish recipes, try my grilled zucchini salad, parmesan roasted cauliflower, or broccoli salad with bacon.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy Prep. The best part about raw cauliflower salad recipes is how easy they are to prepare! All you need to cook is the bacon, and the rest can simply be added to a bowl.
- Keto-friendly. Made with whole food ingredients and no grains, this keto cauliflower salad is a great option for those following a low-carb diet.
- Vibrant. This dish is visually appealing with the array of colors from the vegetables and bacon, making it an inviting addition to any table.
Recipe Ingredients
Below are the simple ingredients you will need to make this recipe for cauliflower salad. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Cauliflower: Fresh cauliflower florets give this raw cauliflower salad the best texture. Opt for classic white cauliflower, though yellow or purple also work well.
- Cheddar Cheese: I recommend using sharp cheddar cheese cut into bite-sized cubes to give this cold cauliflower salad a delicious texture, though you can shred the cheese if preferred.
- Bacon: Cook and chop up bacon slices or use store-bought bacon bits for easier meal prep.
- Almonds: I recommend using salted almonds to add extra flavor. Alternatively, you can swap the almonds for any of your favorite nuts or a mixture of nuts.
- Onion: Red onion adds a sweet peppery flavor and pop of color. Alternatively, you can use any type of onion you prefer.
- Mayonnaise: Adds a delicious creamy texture to cauliflower salad recipes and serves as the base of the dressing. Use full-fat for the richest flavor or a lower-fat option if you prefer.
- Sweetener: Adds a hint of sweetness to the dressing. Use monk fruit sweetener if you are keto or prefer to keep this recipe low-carb, or swap for a regular sweetener if desired.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: The tangy flavor balances out the sweetness of the other ingredients and adds depth to the salad dressing.
How to Make Cauliflower Salad
Below are the easy directions to make this salad at home. You will also need a large and small mixing bowl, a knife, and a cutting board.
- Combine the cauliflower florets, cheddar cubes, bacon bits, almonds, and red onion in a large bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweetener, and apple cider vinegar.
- Add the dressing to the large bowl and stir until everything is covered well. Serve chilled.
Serve
Cauliflower salad recipes make the perfect addition to summer brunch, lunch, or dinner spreads and pair well with a variety of main courses and sides. Below are some of our favorite recipes to serve with this refreshing dish.
- Grilled Chicken Legs
- Jalapeno Cheddar Chicken Fritters
- Air Fryer Steak with Compound Butter
- Keto Jalapeño Popper Burgers
- French Onion Chicken
Tips and Tricks
- Chop the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife or the pulse setting of a food processor. This will help infuse the vegetables with flavors of the dressing and other ingredients.
- Serve chilled for the best flavor and texture. Allow the bacon bits to cool before adding and store the salad bowl in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
- Feel free to add mix-ins like corn kernels, boiled eggs, green peas, or additional cheeses like gouda, or blue cheese for more texture and flavor.
Cauliflower Salad FAQ
Store leftover cauliflower bacon salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe as it will lose its texture when thawed.
I highly recommend using fresh florets for the best flavor and texture, but you can also use frozen cauliflower in a pinch. Thaw the frozen cauliflower completely and pat it dry with a paper towel or clean dishcloth to remove excess moisture before adding it to the recipe.
Yes, you can easily make this salad vegan-friendly by omitting the bacon, swapping the cheese for a dairy-free alternative, and using a vegan mayo. Feel free to add additional veggies or beans if you want to add more protein. To make the recipe dairy-free, simply replace the cheddar cheese with dairy-free or vegan cheese.
There are 12.2 total carbs and only 7.5 net carbs per serving. You can find all the nutritional information including sodium, fiber, and cholesterol below in the recipe card.
More Summer Salad Recipes
Cauliflower Salad
Ingredients
- 8 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese cubes cut into bite-size cubes
- 3/4 cup cooked crumbled bacon about 6 thick cut slices cooked
- 1/2 cup chopped salted almonds
- 1/3 cup red onion chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sweetener monkfruit if keto or sugar if not low carb
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Combine the cauliflower, cheddar, bacon, almonds, and red onion in a large bowl.
- Combine the mayonnaise, sweetener, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
- Stir in the dressing until everything is covered well. Serve chilled.
