Break away from carb-heavy summer salads and wow everyone with this super yummy roasted Cauliflower Salad!
This easy faux-tato salad starts with perfectly roasted cauliflower. It’s cooled and tossed with celery, onion, bacon, and cheese in a rich creamy dressing.
So easy to make and everyone loves this recipe!
A Fully Loaded Cauliflower Salad
- Just as refreshing as it is delicious this is a great twist on a potato salad.
- This is best made in advance and chilled to let the flavors blend!
- This recipe works as a hearty side dish with all your favorite bbq recipes and even those who don’t follow a low carb lifestyle LOVE this cauliflower potato salad.
- Roasting the cauliflower so it’s lightly caramelized adds extra flavor!
Ingredients & Variations
Cauliflower – Use fresh cauliflower for best results. Frozen cauliflower florets will work but should be thawed first. Fresh broccoli can be substituted in this recipe or use cauliflower and broccoli!
Bacon – No time to cook bacon? Use pre-packaged bacon bits and pop them in the microwave for about 45 seconds to crisp. Use chopped hard-boiled eggs for a meatless salad, if desired.
Dressing – Mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet relish, and apple cider vinegar only need a few savory seasonings. Add in some fresh herbs like dill or parsley, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a minced clove of garlic.
Cheese – Cheddar is best but if it’s not available, use shredded mozzarella, a Mexican blend, feta, bleu cheese crumbles, or parmesan!
Add-Ins – Radishes, celery, and green onions bring the crunch and contrast. Add other favorites like chopped pickles, red onion, olives, or red bell pepper.
How to Make Cauliflower Salad
The flavor of this recipe is similar to a classic potato salad and it’s one of our fave low carb recipes.
- Toss cauliflower with olive oil and seasonings. Roast until browned (per recipe below).
- Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Toss cooled cauliflower with remaining ingredients & dressing.
- Cover & chill at least 2 hours before serving.
Storing Leftover Salad
Keep leftover loaded cauliflower salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, stirring before serving.
Picnic-Perfect Salads
Did you make this Loaded Cauliflower Salad for a crowd? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Loaded Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into bite-sized pieces, about 8 cups
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup sliced radishes
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions sliced
- 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons sweet relish
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard or dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Toss cauliflower pieces with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast on a sheet pan for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender-crisp. Set aside to cool completely.
- Whisk all dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
- Place cooled cauliflower in a large bowl along with the remaining ingredients. Toss with dressing.
- Chill at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad, Side Dish
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thank you for this delicious recipe.. I think the salad dressing can be used as a side to meat n fish dishes as well. I stir fried the cauliflower, ( as my oven is out of order) and I also added boiled diced potatoes and peas… it was our meal on its own and both my hubby n I loved it.
So yummy! Will definitely keep making.
So happy you enjoyed this recipe, Emma!
Just made this for the first time, but guaranteed it will not be the last! This is Superb!! Excited for it to chill and have with dinner tonight! Loved the crunch the radishes and celery added and the cheese with the creamy dressing! Perfect! Thank you so much!
oh YUMMM, WE LOVE THIS with our BBQ ribs !!
This is a great recipe. The only thing it’s missing is sugar. Adding a little sugar to the dressing makes it amazing. I also add broccoli (1/2 the amount of cauliflower used), grated Parmesan (fold it into the dressing and over the top of salad after tossing), and salad dressing (1/2 the amount of mayo used)
I am making note–I like what you added. Will try next time.
Delicious!!! I added 4 hard-boiled eggs. SO good :)
This was so good. Followed all directions. Great taste
I have never roasted cauliflower and will do again alone for vegetable as it tasted very good
Very delicious cauliflower salad I made it …wowie very tasty
Hi Holly
Another fabulous recipe from you. The only thing I changed was using raw cauliflower, can you tell me why you cooked it first and how it will change the flavor? Thank you
Raw cauliflower is also great in this recipe! I like the extra layer of flavor roasting adds so I cook just until tender crisp, it adds a slightly nutty toasted flavor.
What can I use instead of sour cream? We have an issue with dairy.
You could use extra mayonnaise or a dairy free version of sour cream or dairy free plain yogurt.