This Loaded Mock Keto Potato Salad is the perfect low carb substitution for traditional potato salad. Perfect to take to your next keto potluck or barbecue
Looking for Keto 4th of July Recipes? Try this Keto Potato Salad
When it comes to barbecue side dishes, finding something that works for keto can be tricky, especially if you grew up enjoying the traditional pasta and potato options like I did. One thing that I love about this mock potato salad recipe is that it doesn't feel like a compromise. Using roasted cauliflower really adds some depth beyond what a traditional potato salad is known for.
You can't go wrong with a mix of roasted cauliflower, generous helpings of crispy bacon, perfectly cooked hardboiled eggs, cheese, fresh chopped green onions, and pickles. Combine that mix with classic flavors from Dijon mustard, paprika, garlic powder, then add some sour cream and mayo to bind it all together and layer in some creaminess, and boom: you've got the perfect summer salad recipe.
How to roast cauliflower
What makes this recipe better than all the other cauliflower salad recipes is the crispy roasted cauliflower. To get the best flavor out of this keto potato salad, you'll want to roast your cauliflower until tender and golden brown, about 25 minutes at 400ºF. The secret is to spread your cauliflower evenly over your rimmed baking sheet -- any crowding will keep it from getting nice and roasty. Just a drizzle of olive oil works best, too much will make the cauliflower mushy. I like to generously season with salt and pepper so that I'm starting with a nicely seasoned base to compliment all the other ingredients.
This is one of my favorite quick and easy keto meals because I can prep all the other ingredients while the cauliflower is roasting. You can serve this mock potato salad year round, but my favorite time to enjoy it is at a keto barbecue.
Fun ways to mix up this low carb potato salad
- Sub capers in place of the dill pickles. Better yet, use both!
- Use Keto Ranch Dressing in place of sour cream
- Mix in some Keto Barbecue Sauce for a sweet and tangy version
- Add cream cheese and jalapeños for jalapeño popper keto potato salad
- Add Cajun Seasoning for a little kick
- Use roasted radishes or daikon radish in place of the cauliflower
- Add feta cheese, salami, kalamata olives, red onions, and cucumber in place of the bacon, cheddar and green onions for a Greek mock potato salad variation
Other recipes you might enjoy
- Keto Dry Rub Barbecue Ribs
- Keto Avocado Hummus
- Loaded Baked Cauliflower Casserole
- Everything Bagel Dogs
- Pork Belly Wedge Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Poppers
Loaded Mock Keto Potato Salad
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into small florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, butter or ghee
- Sea salt and ground black pepper ( I use this brand)
- 5 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 large hardboiled eggs, rough chopped
- ¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise, more for a creamier salad (get my recipe here)
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons chopped dill pickles
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon paprika (I use this brand of spices)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F.
- Spread the cauliflower florets in a single layer across a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over top and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 25 minutes or until tender and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- Transfer the cauliflower to a large mixing bowl. To the bowl add the bacon, green onions, eggs, cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, pickles, Dijon mustard, garlic powder and paprika. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Refrigerate for one hour, up to overnight before serving.
Notes
Net carbs per serving: 5.5g
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 297
- Fat: 23.4g
- Carbohydrates: 8.6g
- Fiber: 3.1g
- Protein: 14.5g
Keywords: keto potato salad, keto macaroni salad, keto barbecue recipes, mock potato salad, cauliflower recipes, keto recipes
Adriana Gutierrez says
This is going on the menu trials ASAP!
Donna Swartwout says
Made it a few times! Always good and very satisfying.
Thanks!!!
★★★★★
Jo Ellen Washburn says
I just made this and am having difficulty letting it sit in the frig for the flavors to meld because I want to it all right now. It already tastes so wonderful - right after mixing. It isn't just like potato salad, but it is close. I omitted the cheese and tossed a little vinegar into the mayo blend but otherwise followed the recipe fairly closely. Very good. I will add this to my rotation.
★★★★★
Mary K Jett says
This recipe was very good. I am going to make it for a family reunion. Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
Penny Howard says
My hubby says we can have this again. And again. It is delicious.
★★★★★
Debra says
This was an amazing potato salad replacement. My husband said it was better than potato salad. Thank you for this delicious recipe. I’m serving it to 8 carb eaters tomorrow
★★★★★
Christina Huck says
Made the recipe as shown and it was delicious. It's creamy with some crunch. Just made for our 4th of July
bar-b-que. Will definitely put into our rotation.
★★★★★
Patty says
Can you use frozen cauliflower?
Tammy says
Seriously THE BEST faux potato salad. Roasting the cauliflower is the key, the salad doesn't get watery and there's so much flavour!!!!! I leave out the cheese and let people add their own as they dish up. I add celery and radish and that's the only thing I do different.
★★★★★
Lynn B. says
Just made this. As I'm writing this it is in the fridge cooling. Can I say "guilt free comfort food"! Delish. And it's all mine. My husband won't eat cauliflower. His loss. The only thing I changed was not adding the cheese. I am trying to reduce my dairy intake. Other than that, perfection. I mixed all the liquid ingredients (mayo, sour cream, etc. ) together and my husband did say that it would taste good as a dipping sauce for fish. I'll have to try that. Thanks for the recipe. This will definitely be my go-to for spring/summer.
★★★★★
Jen says
This was absolutely amazing! I made it for our first cookout of the spring and couldn’t have been happier! The flavor is wonderful and you wouldn’t even know it has cauliflower instead of potatoes! Best of all, it is so much easier and quicker to make!
★★★★★
Allesan says
Perfect for any spring or summer meal!
★★★★★
Christine says
One of the best "potato" salads I have ever had, including the real thing. My family and inlaws loved it as well. I added more pickle, extra mayo and onion powder instead of green onions as I do not like them. Will continue to make this spring/summer time staple.
★★★★★
Kiku says
Delicious and easy to put together!
★★★★★
Don Johnson says
This has to be my favorite faux-tato salad recipe. Actually tastes the closest to a potato salad. If I didn't know it (because I made it) I would have swore it was potato salad.
I love Peace, Love and Low Carb recipes. 💙
★★★★★
Sharon says
Absolutely delicious and my nonKeto family members really liked it too! Your recipes are easily my favorites. Keep cooking and sharing!
★★★★★
Heather says
This, like every recipe I’ve made from you, is absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much.
Roberta says
Cravable Keto is a fantastic book. My go picnic side is the Loaded Mock Potato Salad. Roasting the cauliflower is perfect! Thank you, Kendra, for keeping your recipes so user friendly!
Rachael says
Delicious! Great stand in for this summer delicacy.
★★★★★