This easy keto broccoli salad recipe is full of flavour and loved by many - low carb or not - so this delicious salad is perfect for family gatherings! It’s the perfect side dish to serve with almost any summer main dish, especially grilled foods.
Originally posted on November 2, 2021. Updated on 4/25/2022
For those days, this easy low carb broccoli salad is PERFECT. I’ll throw on a batch at the beginning of the week, and it’s there in the fridge, ready to use when I need it, making it easy meal prep!
This has always been a thing for me, even before dieting. Just make a batch of some delicious side dish, have it on hand, and basically live off it + basic mains for the week.
When I started on a keto diet, though, I had to adjust how I make my classic broccoli salad.
The New Recipe
Dried cranberries (My favorite part of the salad, boo!) were left out from my original recipe, the sweetener in the creamy dressing was changed - and amount adjusted - etc.
While I usually added nuts or sunflower seeds, I left them out of this one.
You can always add them back in, depending on your dietary needs... I just don’t bother. They do add a nice crunch when used, though!
Throw on some burgers, pork chops, maybe some chicken kebabs... scoop up a generous portion of this salad, and you’re good to go!
This is a great side to serve with my Keto Fried Chicken, btw!
Low-Carb Broccoli Salad
This delicious broccoli salad is a low carb recipe, and is not only great for the whole family, it accommodates pretty much anyone on a low carb diet - even those following a ketogenic diet.
In terms of nutritional values, the finished recipe - assuming you’re using pork bacon - comes in at 9 grams of total carbs, 3 grams of fiber, for a total of 6 net carbs for a large serving of it. A great carb count, and it’s not going to cause any big blood sugar spikes!
Oh, and there’s also 9 grams of protein per serving, so that’s a nice bonus!
Looking to lower the fat? Just use chicken or turkey bacon, to make it even more of a healthy broccoli salad.
Keto Broccoli Bacon Salad Ingredients
This requires only a few basic ingredients, and I have some things to say about some of those ingredients...
Salad Ingredients
Broccoli
The main ingredient!
When I make this, I blanch the fresh broccoli - cooking it for just a minute or so, then plunging it into an ice bath to stop the cooking.
I find that it makes for a nicer looking broccoli salad, and just a bit more tender.
Just be sure to drain the broccoli REALLY well - you don’t want excess water thinning out the sauce!
That said, you can totally skip the blanching step, if you like.
Crispy Bacon
As pictured, I tend to use chicken bacon when making this, these days. The husband can’t handle pork anymore, and I’m trying to avoid it, myself.
That said, you can absolutely substitute regular bacon if you prefer.
The nutritional information provided is based on pork bacon, as I assume most will use that!
Cheese
I like using sharp cheddar cheese (“old cheddar”, here in Canada!), but feel free to use medium or mild if you prefer.
If possible, buy your cheese in a block and shred it yourself - it tastes so much better than pre-shredded!
I like to use a really thick shred when making this. I recently purchased a Kitchenaid Box Grater, and I LOVE it.
Not only is it easier to use (sharper!) than the crappy old one I’d been using for a decade before that, it grates these big, luxurious shreds of cheese.
Beauty!
Red Onion
This is relatively light on the red onions, as they’re fairly carbby. Feel free to up the amount you use, if that’s not as much of an issue for you!
The Keto-Friendly Sweet Dressing
Sour Cream
I like to use the highest fat sour cream I can find - Gay Lea 18%, to be specific. This stuff is so thick, it starts out almost solid - before stirring. Once stirred, it’ll still allow a spoon to stand upright in it.
If you can find 18% stuff, use it - SO good! If not, no big deal - go with what you can find.
Mayonnaise
Try to use a mayonnaise that doesn’t have any added sugar in it, ideally.
If you have a couple extra minutes, you can always make your own Homemade Keto Mayonnaise - it’s super easy! All you need is an egg, some vinegar or lemon juice, a bit of Dijon mustard, and some oil!
Everything Else
In addition to the sour cream and mayo, you’ll need the following items to make the tangy dressing:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Sugar Substitute (I use an Erythritol / Monkfruit Blend Sweetener)
Celery Seed
Salt and Pepper
How to Make Low Carb Broccoli Salad
The full low carb broccoli salad recipe follows - in the recipe card at the end of the post - here's the pictorial overview & additional tips.
Prepare Your Broccoli
The first thing you should do is prepare your broccoli florets, cutting them into bite-sized florets. (Small pieces!)
I like to trim the stems and save them for later use - grated up, they make a really nice salad topper or base for coleslaw!
Rinse well under cold water - to soak for a minute in ice water - to stop the cooking, drain well, and set aside.
Ideally, you want to remove as much excess water as possible. If your broccoli seems too damp after draining, the best way to remove even more water is to use a salad spinner. Alternatively, you can press lightly with paper towels.
Make the Salad
Cook your bacon until crisp, remove from heat, and chop or crumble.
In a large mixing bowl, combine well-drained broccoli and crumbled bacon with the onion and cheese.
In a separate bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients - except for salt and pepper. Taste first, then season with salt and pepper.
Pour dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl, mix well to combine.
Transfer to an airtight container and chill for at least an hour before serving.
Variations
While I love this recipe as is, the great thing is that it’s really customizable to your personal tastes and carb thresholds.
Here are some general guidelines / suggestions for easy customizations you can make:
- The apple cider vinegar can be swapped for white vinegar, red wine vinegar, or fresh lemon juice.
- Try adding a bit of Dijon mustard to the dressing.
- The sour cream can be swapped out for Greek yogurt if you prefer.
- I use chicken bacon, though I wrote the recipe / nutritional info for pork bacon. You can also use turkey bacon if that’s what you like.
- If you’re ok with the extra carbs, you can add some sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds to the salad, or serve in a little bowl on the side as an optional thing.
- The red onions can be partially or fully swapped out for green onions if you like.
More Keto Potluck Foods
Looking for easy keto recipes to serve at your next potluck - or bring to a party? I’ve got you covered!
Keto Cabbage Rolls
Keto Funeral Potatoes
Loaded Pierogi Dip
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Keto Stromboli Meatloaf
Low Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Keto Hummus
Cauliflower Low Carb Mac and Cheese
Keto Chewy Lemon Bars
Cheddar Biscuits [Keto Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits]
Crunchy Keto Crackers
Keto Raspberry Coconut Bars
Low Carb Creamy Cucumber Salad
Keto Spinach Artichoke Dip
Cold Crab Dip [Smoky Bacon Crab Dip]
Keto Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze
Chicken Bacon Ranch Armadillo Eggs
Keto Mushroom Turnovers
Share the Love!
Before you chow down, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you post it to Bluesky, be sure to tag us - @CelebrationGen. We're also on Pinterest, so you can save all your favourite recipes to a board!
Also, be sure to subscribe to my free email newsletter, so you never miss out on any of my nonsense. Well, the published nonsense, anyway!
... and hey, if you love the recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and comment!
Low Carb Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 8 cups Broccoli florets bite-sized
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 teaspoon Stevia sweetener
- ¼ teaspoon Celery seed
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Get a medium pot of water boiling. Add broccoli, cook for one minute.
- Rinse well under cold water to stop the cooking, drain well and set aside.
- Cook your bacon until crisp, remove from heat and crumble.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine well-drained broccoli and bacon with the onion and cheese.
- Whisk together remaining ingredients - except for salt and pepper. Taste first, then season with salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad, mix well to combine.
- Taste, add more salt and/or pepper, if desired.
- Chill for at least an hour before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
More Keto Salad Recipes
Looking for more low carb salad ideas? Here you go!
Low Carb Creamy Cucumber Salad
Keto Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Chicken
Low Carb Vietnamese Noodle Salad
Colourful Keto Coleslaw
Keto Caesar Salad
Keto Taco Salad
Salad Meal Prep [Base Salad]
Sesame Crusted Tofu
Leave a Reply