This Keto Broccoli Salad with Bacon is my idea of perfection. It’s crunchy and full of flavor – perfect for bringing to a barbecue or a side for any night of the week.
Summer is coming (thank goodness), and that means it’s nearly barbecue season. And barbecue season means broccoli salad season!
I don’t know about you, but that’s my favorite time of the year.
We put in a pool a few years ago and ever since, backyard life is the only life for me.
There is nothing better than taking a nap in the pool on a quiet weekday, except for maybe having a backyard full of people and something delicious on the grill every weekend. Our ranch grilled chicken is a current favorite.
Along with our keto coleslaw and keto deviled eggs, this low carb broccoli salad recipe is always a hit! Same goes for our cauliflower potato salad (also with cheddar and bacon…are you sensing a theme??).
Ingredient Notes
Broccoli – Use raw fresh chopped broccoli florets for this recipe. You can buy them pre-chopped from the store or chop a head yourself, but don’t use frozen broccoli.
Cheese – I like the taste of cubed sharp cheddar cheese in this keto broccoli salad! Shredded cheddar would also work, but the little cubes are divine.
Onion – I’ve added diced red onion to this recipe. Soak it in cold water for 10 minutes if you’d like a less sharp flavor.
Almonds – You know those thinly sliced almonds you can buy at the store? Buy them. And use them in this recipe, because it adds a perfectly crunchy texture and flavor! Don’t have any thin sliced almonds? Try using some sunflower seeds for a similar crunch.
Bacon – This is keto broccoli salad with bacon, so we can’t forget that. I use a half of a pound of bacon and fry it crisp. It lends the perfect salty, smoky bite to the keto broccoli salad. You can prepare it ahead of time to make things easier.
Dressing – The usual broccoli salad recipe seems to have a sweeter sauce that’s full of sugar. This one does not! This is just a quick and easy mix of mayo, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and vinegar! It’s a creamy, flavorful dressing. You can also try using my homemade ranch dressing recipe which has a few other ingredients for even more flavor.
“This is the best broccoli sald I have ever tried!! This will be my summer salad for sure. I do switch up nuts to Sunflower seeds from time to time.” – Jennifer
How To:
- Salad: Combine all of the ingredients for the base of the salad in a large mixing bowl.
- Dressing: Stir together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
- Combine: Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to coat.
FAQs:
Yes, you could prepare this recipe ahead of time though I would recommend leaving out the bacon and the almonds until just before you serve it, otherwise they’ll lose some of their crispiness.
Yes, this recipe should keep for at least 3 days if covered in the refrigerator. As mentioned above though the bacon and almonds may lose some of their crispiness when being stored.
Yes, or at least it should be if you’re using gluten free mayonnaise and ranch seasoning.
Sure! It’ll have a little bit of a different flavor but it’ll work just as well.
MORE EASY LOW CARB SALAD RECIPES!
- Avocado Egg Salad
- Vegetable Salad
- German Cucumber Salad
- Jalapeno Popper Chicken Salad
- Italian Cauliflower Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
Give this one a try and let me know…is this the best broccoli salad recipe ever or what?
Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cut into small cubes
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup thinly sliced almonds
- 8 slices bacon fried and crumbled
- ½ cup mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
Instructions
- Add the broccoli, cheddar, onion, almonds, and bacon to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the mayo, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and vinegar to a small mixing bowl and stir well.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli salad and stir well to coat.
- Serve immediately.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Imacrazymomof4 says
Since I found this recipe a week ago I have made it 3 times!!! My entire family LOVES it. Thanks!!!
Karly Campbell says
Oh, I’m glad to hear that! We love it too. 🙂
Nancy says
Stated that low carb but what about the very high amount 19 gms of fat ( and what is the break down of type of fats), also high amount 494mg of sodium. What is the individual serving size, 1 cup? I suspect 1/2 cup. This could easily be made into a healthy salad but as presented I think it is not healthy.
Karly Campbell says
I follow a ketogenic diet which calls for high fat, moderate protein, and low carbs. It’s also recommended that you increase your sodium intake as ketosis can have a diuretic effect. 🙂 You could certainly adjust it to fit your own personal needs, but for keto, this salad is spot on. 🙂
Louise says
There are ways to reduce the fat and sodium – lower fat mayo, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, 2% cheese, low sodium bacon, etc. I suspect a lot of the sodium is from the ranch pluraowder, which I skip altogether.
Kristen Beaudry says
Finally got all the ingredients for this tonight and put it together. SO good! It’s the end of March in Canada (snowing today) so I’m not taking it to any barbecues. Just for snacking 🙂 I’ll definitely make this again!
Christen says
This sounds delish! What is a serving size?
Karly Campbell says
The nutrition information is calculated based on 10 servings in the recipe.
Melissa Bielat says
Thank you!
Melissa says
How many grams of Protein does this have?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Melissa! There are 9g protein per serving. 🙂
Crab Dynasty says
This is really good. We add cauliflower to ours along w the broccoli. Delicious
Karly Campbell says
I bet cauliflower is a great addition!
Jeannie says
So, I’m new at doing Keto. When serving up this salad, how much are we allowed to eat. Such as a cup per setting or 1/2 cup. And how do I count it for for daily calorie count?
Thankyou so much.
Karly Campbell says
The nutrition information was calculated based on this salad serving 10. The calories and carbs are for 1/10th of the salad.
Patti says
Love this! Without having to calculate it myself, what is the size of a 10th? A cup, a half a cup?
Karly Campbell says
I’m sorry, I don’t know.
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I would love a pool! This salad plus your deviled eggs sounds like the perfect BBQ spread Karly!
Karly Campbell says
I could eat just the eggs and salad and call it a meal. 🙂 Hope you give them a try!
Carolyn says
We are on the same wavelength here, darlin! I am pinning and making this weekend!
Karly Campbell says
Thanks, Carolyn!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
Totally ready to dig into that salad right now!
Jennifer Blake says
I love broccoli salad but I don’t like it when it has too much dressing on it. Looking forward to using your recipe and tweaking to be the perfect amount of dressing for my taste!
Karly Campbell says
Hope you enjoy!!
Gerry Speirs says
Sounds delish!!!!
Karly Campbell says
Thanks, Gerry!
Pamela A Scott says
I can not wait to try this I love every single ingredient in the salad. Keep them coming. I have been trying to find a dish I saw on a commercial, using cauliflower and peppers, and I think onion, would you happen to have something like that?
Karly Campbell says
I have a cauliflower salad similar to this, but not anything with peppers.
Cookin Canuck says
I just made a broccoli salad, too and can’t get enough of it! Now I need to try your version.
Karly Campbell says
I’ll have to check yours out! I’m obsessed with broccoli lately.
Lindsay Cotter says
This is the perfect side for spring and summer gatherings!!
Karly Campbell says
Thanks, Lindsay!
Terrie says
What do you use for ranch dressing?
Liz says
Ooh, I love, love that you made a low carb version! One of my favorite summer salads, but my blood sugar appreciates the lack of sugar in the dressing!!!
Karly Campbell says
Hope you enjoy it, Liz! 🙂
Brenda Warren says
I don’t want to sound stupid but do you cook broccoli
Karly Campbell says
You don’t sound stupid! I use raw broccoli in this – just like you would use for dipping in ranch. Just cut it fairly small so it’s easy to eat. 🙂
Erin says
Adding bacon makes everything better!
Karly Campbell says
Agreed.
Kaylee Collins says
What can you use instead of ranch dressing ?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Kaylee! I’ve only made this one with ranch. If you wanted a more traditional sweet broccoli salad, you could try making that and just replacing the sugar with sweetener.
Rebecca {foodie with family} says
This salad is right in my wheelhouse! I don’t know why so many broccoli salads have sugar. It’s so unnecessary. Look at all that gorgeous bacon! <3
Catherine Lee says
This sounds like a super tasty recipe to help “reduce my caboose” and keep the hunger at bay! Love that there is no sweet sugar in it too. Making my weekly list and these ingredients are top of it, thanks so much!