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This CAULIFLOWER POTATO SALAD is a great low carb alternative to a classic potato salad. The texture of the cauliflower is just a bit different from potatoes, but the flavor is spot on!
It’s not often you’ll see me over here swapping potatoes for caulilfower.
I mean, I do it…I just don’t usually share those recipes with you here, because I figure that if you want low carb recipes, you’ll follow me over at That Low Carb Life.
But sometimes there is a recipe that is just so good, I can’t help but share it with you here.
I know…you’re looking at my cauliflower pretending to be potatoes and you’re thinking…really? This is so good you had to share it?
Yes, my friends. This is so good I had to share it.
Don’t believe me? Keep on reading and I’ll give you all the deets and then you can try it for yourself!
Does this really taste like potato salad?
I’m not going to do the thing where I tell you that cauliflower tastes just like potatoes (we all know that’s a lie) but I am going to be honest here…this cauliflower potato salad DOES taste very much like traditional potato salad. It’s all in the dressing.
The major difference here (and it’s honestly kind of minor) is the texture. Cauliflower just isn’t starchy and fluffy like potatoes and you’ll probably notice the difference.
But it’s not a BAD different. It’s just a different different! We love this recipe, is what I’m trying to say!
What Readers are Saying!
“I made this yesterday afternoon. It was so good I ran out today and purchased two more heads of cauliflower. It’s got the same taste and mouth feel as potato salad.” – Tom L.
Ingredient Notes:
Cauliflower – You’ll want to use fresh cauliflower here. You can buy a whole head or buy a bag of already chopped florets in the produce section. No frozen cauliflower though.
Dressing – We use our classic potato salad dressing with the usual things like mayonnaise, mustard, dill relish, and vinegar. Already have a favorite potato salad dressing? Try that instead!
How to make a keto potato salad:
Chop the Cauliflower – Whether you’re starting with a head of cauliflower or cauliflower florets, you’ll want to chop it into smaller bite-sized pieces, much like you would for a potato salad.
Cook the Cauliflower – Bring a pot of water to a boil and add in your cauliflower florets or place them in a steamer basket. However you want to cook them is just fine, but we want them soft, but still with a bit of bite. No mushy cauliflower here.
Combine – Chop your hard boiled eggs into pieces and add to a large mixing bowl with the cauliflower. Add the cauliflower to the bowl and gently mix.
Make the Dressing – In a small bowl mix together all your remaining ingredients, except the paprika, into a dressing for the salad. Gently fold the dressing into the cauliflower to coat each piece.
Refrigerate – Cover this and pop it in the fridge for an hour or two before serving. We want cold cauliflower potato salad! Sprinkle with paprika before serving.
FAQ’s:
We store this, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cauliflower does start to release a bit of liquid the longer it is stored, but you can drain it off or just stir it back together before serving.
The texture of frozen cauliflower tends to cook a bit different than fresh. We’ve never tried this with frozen cauliflower, but do recommend fresh for the best texture.
At just 4 net carbs per serving, this fits perfectly in a keto diet. If you place a focus on ingredients, make sure to use a keto friendly mayo and relish in your salad.
More Low Carb Recipes:
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- Bacon Wrapped Pork Bites
- Sausage Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Air Fryer Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower
- Sheet Pan Pork and Veggies
- Roasted Green Beans
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 2 hard boiled eggs
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon dill relish
- 2 teaspoons finely diced onion
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into bite sized pieces, much like you would a potato for potato salad. Rinse and drain.
- Add just enough water to cover the bottom of a 12 inch skillet and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Add the cauliflower to the skillet and cover to steam. Alternately, cook in a steamer basket on the stove top.
- Let steam for 3-5 minutes, checking for doneness with a fork. When a fork slides in easily, add the cauliflower to a large bowl. Do not overcook the cauliflower or your salad will be mushy. I prefer it tender-crisp.
- Chop the hard boiled eggs into small pieces and add to the bowl with the cauliflower.
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, except for the paprika, and whisk together to form the dressing for the salad.
- Gently fold the dressing into the cauliflower and eggs, stirring to coat each piece. Sprinkle with paprika.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until cold.
Kara says
Thanks for this recipe!! I am also on the ketogenic diet ๐ Potato salad is Is summer favorite for BBQ season! I can’t wait to try this out, and your coleslaw …It looks delicious and low carb too!? What a bonus ๐
Karly says
Hope you enjoy! ๐
Becky says
I made this for the 4th. A few days later, it tastes even better! It is now my go to picnic salad!
Kandy says
I have been making a cauliflower salad for many years now. I do not cook it…we like it raw with the hard boiled eggs, mayo, a little onion, crumbled crisp bacon and small cubes of cheddar cheese. I would add celery but husband does not like it! It is a good salad on it’s own and very refreshing on those hot summer days.
Karly says
Sounds amazing!
Virginia says
I made this and it’s delicious! I doubled the recipe to feed more people and to have leftovers. I left out the pickle relish (just a personal preference), used red onions and scallions instead of white onions. I put in lots and lots of fresh dill and chives. After a taste test, I decided to double the mustard. I used poupon mustard and white vinegar and it was perfect. I love this new “faux-tato” salad.
Karly says
Sounds like some great swaps!
Sallie price says
Karly, I am making a menu for my weight loss surgery and when I write up what I have eaten I have to write down calories by the measurement. (Tablespoon, teaspoon, cup) please can you break the recipes down with calories please, it would make it so much easier onme. Thank you! They have me curbing my intake of food and calories and sugar too since I’m a diabetic.
Karly says
Hi Sallie, you can enter the recipes into any recipe calculator – My Fitness Pal even has an option to just add the link and it does most of the work for you. ๐
Karly says
And good luck with your surgery!!
Caitlin Brittain says
So good…. I added a cup of chopped celery to up my veggies and it was fantastic. This is going in Mama’s Healthy Recipe bookmarks!
Carmen VanVliet says
I just made this cauliflower “potato” salad and all I can say is OMG! ย ย I didn’t want to make a large amount, so I cut down the ingredients a bit, but it turned out so good. I cooked the cauliflower exactly as suggested and it turned out a little crispy and not mushy. ย ย I don’t like to change up recipes that are posted, but I didn’t have any dill relish on hand, but I did have sweet pickle relish with no sugar added – it is sweetened with artificial sweetener and has no carbs, so I substituted that for the dill relish. ย I also did not have dill, chives or vinegar on hand (need to go shopping). ย So, I did not add those ingredients. But, I added everything else, plus some chopped celery. ย The sweeter relish gave it a really nice flavor.
This is going to be my go to cauliflower “potato” salad from now on.
Karly says
So glad that you have a new go to salad! ๐
berneda says
I’m ready to make this for a camping trip. How long will this last in the fridge? Thank you.
Karly says
I’d say it would last for a couple days. ๐
Rachel says
This. was. incredible. I am a die hard potato salad fanatic but my husband is following a keto diet so I made this for him while making a pasta salad for myself & our preschooler. This salad tasted better than the pasta salad I made for myself! I think I’m actually going to make the switch & make this every time I would normally make a potato salad because it’s so much less work & tastes amazing!!! I’ve made it twice already in the last couple weeks!
Karly says
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed this.
Theresa says
Karly, you were right ! the taste and texture of this is just like real potato salad (and i’m a potato salad snob!) my family was shocked and that’s telling. BRAVO, I have been eating low carb and cauliflower ย mash for a long time, can’t believe I didn’t think of it !
Karly says
Glad you guys enjoyed it! I need to make some more this week!
Sarah says
Cant wait to make this!! When you say 1 tbsp mustard are you referring to yellow mustard or the powdered ground mustard? ย Thanks!ย
Karly says
Prepared yellow mustard. ๐
Phyllis says
Karly, I do so hope that you do a low carb blog. I am really going to try this as I have so many things wrong with me. Thanks
Janine says
How big is a serving, how many calories, how many carbs, how much fat, how much sodium?
Karly says
I don’t normally calculate nutritional information, because it can vary based on serving size and brand of ingredients used. You’re welcome to plug this into a nutrition calculator yourself, though. ๐
Shelley says
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe! I too am losing weight and on my own journey! My favorite part of summer are the salads but obviously something is changing because I haven’t been liking potatoes, bread, rice, or pastas much lately so this salad is perfect for me! I will be giving it a try next week on pay day! I cannot wait! I’ll write another review once I have tried it! Thank you so much! ๐
Karly says
Hope you enjoy it! It really is the perfect substitute for potato salad!
Diane says
Change out the mayo to Greek yogurt and makes it a healthier Shape reclaimed recipe
Karly says
Great tip!
No Kids Around says
Looks great, can’t wait to try it for this weekend’s 4th of July party!