Name: Loaded Mock Keto Potato Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
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; 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1/3 cup mayonnaise, more for a creamier salad (get my recipe here); 1/3 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)

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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

In addition to this loaded mock keto potato salad, check out some of my other favorite keto cookout and barbecue recipes: