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:
Jerri Ridley says
Says serves 10, but how much is a serving? 1 cup? 1/2 cup?
Karly Campbell says
I didn’t measure the servings by volume. Just divide the dish into 10 portions.
Christina Marie Patient says
Could I use the bags of steamed broccoli?
Karly Campbell says
I wouldn’t steam the broccoli first, but you can use pre-cut fresh broccoli.
Lisa says
Ranch Seasoning Mix = just the dry ingredients/seasonings of your homemade recipe or the entire dressing mixed up? I’m looking forward to trying and eating this beautiful dish!
Karly Campbell says
The seasoning mix is just the seasonings, not the prepared dressing.
Sherrill says
I don’t have sliced almonds could I use some flower seeds or walnuts instead?
Karly Campbell says
Yes, that will work fine.
Alicia says
Is it possible to mix and place in the fridge and serve the following day? Granted I would only add the bacon prior to serving.
Karly Campbell says
Yes, I think that’d be fine. I’d add the almonds just before serving too.
Alicia Hames says
WOW! I have been looking at broccoli salad recipes, and this one is the one I chose and Oh My!! I always much on smoked almonds anyway and I added some pecans as well, all diced up, sooo good!! I started measuring the “dips” packet I had for hidden valley ranch it was was almost the exact amount.
Tina Snyder says
Do you know if this is gluten free?
Karly Campbell says
I’m not sure if ranch seasoning is gluten free or not, but I would guess it is. Everything else would be gluten free.
millie says
can you use apple cidar vinegar instead of distilled vinegar I can not have white vinegar
Karly Campbell says
Yep, that would be fine!
Sue says
Can you use apple cider vinegar instead? Thanks.
Karly Campbell says
Yes, for sure! 🙂
Jennine says
This looks great! Is there a specific type of mayonnaise you use for the keto diet?
Karly Campbell says
A lot of people choose mayo made with avocado oil. You’ll just want to check the ingredients. This one has great reviews.
hiedi says
I add cauliflower to this too! SO GOOD.
DrBody says
terrific recipe with nice ingredients
Johnson says
This is really good. We add cauliflower to ours along w the broccoli. Looks delicious! Next wk one night we should try this.
Mckenzie says
If I want to use actual ranch dressing instead of powder, would it be better to use less sour cream or mayo at all?
Karly Campbell says
Skip the sour cream and mayo and use enough ranch to coat the salad. 🙂
Kristin Gamble says
What could I sub for sour cream?
Karly Campbell says
Greek yogurt should work well.
Olivia Richards says
What do you use if you don’t like ranch dressing?
Karly Campbell says
You’re probably better off finding a different recipe as this one is pretty heavy on the ranch flavor.
Louise says
Skip the ranch powder and use just plain mayo and sour cream (I use Greek yogurt). Add some green onions for a little more flavor of you wish.
Kate says
You don’t need to blanch the broccoli first? You just use it raw?
Karly Campbell says
I make this with raw broccoli, but you could blanch it if you prefer.
Krista Gabriel says
What kind of ranch seasoning mix do you use? Is it gluten free? If I were to make my own, does it have to have buttermilk powder in it? Thank-you! Your recipe looks delicious and I like that it has no sugar added to it.
Karly Campbell says
I just used Hidden Valley powder here, but you can also use my low carb ranch dressing recipe!
Krista Gabriel says
Thank-you!
Robin says
With 8 cups of broccoli,I am guessing it’s about 3/4 a cup per serving.
Angela says
I absolutely love the dressing for this recipe and keep a batch on hand all the time now. I didn’t realize how much sugar my original recipe for broccoli salad had! Thanks for this low card version. Like you I snack on it and eat it with every meal.
Karly Campbell says
So glad you’re enjoying the recipe, Angela! 🙂