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    Keto Broccoli Salad with Bacon

    May 17, 2020 · Modified: May 29, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    791 shares

    “This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”

    Summer is just around the corner and it just wouldn't be the same without my Keto Broccoli Salad!

    Featuring farm fresh broccoli and a variety of interesting flavors and textures, this easy side dish is a real crowd pleaser.

    Serve it up at your family cookout or keep the whole batch for yourself -- its delicious.

    Dust off that patio furniture, fire up the grill, and let's get cooking!

    How many carbs in Keto Broccoli Salad?

    For each serving, my Broccoli Salad recipe comes out to just 3g net carbs.

    Traditional broccoli salad is closer to 20g net carbs per serving.

    With just a few ingredient swaps, we easily cut out 18 grams of carbs.

    That's almost a full day's worth of carbohydrates for someone on a Keto diet!

     

    Ingredients For Broccoli Salad

    Ingredients for Keto Broccoli Salad

    Great recipe for meal prep

    One of the best things about my broccoli salad with bacon recipe is that it's great for meal prep. When following a Keto meal plan, preparing your food in advance can really help keep you on track!

    Whip up a batch on the weekend and serve with your favorite protein throughout the week!

    This is one of those recipes that just seems to get better the longer it sets.

    Is broccoli a healthy vegetable?

    In addition to being low in carbs, broccoli is considered a superfood that is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

    The fiber in broccoli can be especially helpful for:

    • Satiety - keeps us full and can aid in the prevention of overeating
    • Digestion - promotes regularity and can help with those suffering from constipation
    • Gut health - emerging research suggests that broccoli may feed our good bacteria and help protect the gut lining

    I'd say that's pretty healthy!

    Is the broccoli in the recipe cooked?

    Some broccoli salad recipes recommend that you blanch your broccoli, but I often forego this step.

    Time permitting, the dressing does a great job of tenderizing the raw broccoli without making it overly mushy.

    If running short on time, blanching is a great way to soften the vegetables without playing the waiting game.

    How to blanch broccoli

    1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
    2. Add broccoli florets to water for 1 minute.
    3. Drain and immediately submerge the broccoli in iced water until completely cooled through.
    4. Drain the broccoli and let it dry completely before mixing with the dressing.

    The purpose of blanching is to quickly cook the vegetable without overcooking. Using ice water will immediately stop the cooking process.

    This yields a more tender piece of broccoli but still maintains the bright green color.

    Can I use frozen broccoli?

    I would not use frozen broccoli for this recipe, fresh only!

    Frozen broccoli tends to get softer much faster than fresh. Because of this, your salad could end up mushy.

     

    Broccoli Salad

     

    Low carb broccoli salad ingredients

    My recipe calls for the following ingredients

    • broccoli florets
    • dressing (see recipe below)
    • colby jack or cheddar cheese
    • red onion
    • chopped nuts
    • bacon

    Once all ingredients are prepped and ready to go, just mix everything in a large bowl.

    If you can spare some carbohydrates, a couple dried cranberries really add a nice chew and sweetness, too.

    Traditional vs Low carb dressing

    Most traditional broccoli salad recipes start with a sweet and tangy dressing. That tang comes from apple cider vinegar, which is fortunately already low carb.

    The only swap we really need to make is for the sugar. I did not want any sort of cooling effect for this recipe, so I used allulose.

     

    Dressing For Broccoli Salad

    Creamy dressing for broccoli salad

     

    I also add a few more ingredients to add additional layers of flavor. Salt and pepper to taste, of course.

    Need an easy shortcut? Just substitute your favorite ranch dressing instead!

    Make it your own

    Unlike most recipes, this one serves as a great base for creativity in the kitchen. Swap in your favorite ingredients to create something totally unique.

    Try these variations

    I like to play around with ingredients depending on my tastes and what I have on hand.

    Instead of the roasted pecans, you could try:

    • sliced almonds and other nuts
    • sunflower seeds
    • roasted edamame
    • crunchy cheese snacks

     

    Completed Keto Broccoli Salad With Bacon

     

    In place of the colby jack cheese, you could just as easily use cheddar, provolone, or pepperjack.

    Broccoli swaps

    Not a fan of broccoli? Substitute half (or all) of the amounts for:

    • cauliflower
    • cabbage
    • radishes

    The key is to choose a vegetable that will stand up to the dressing and toppings without becoming soggy.

    Easy Keto recipes for a barbecue

    Looking for more cookout side dishes to accompany your low carb salad? Definitely give these a try:

    • Keto "Potato" Salad
    • Beet Pickled Eggs
    • Low Carb Pasta Salad
    • Keto Pimento Cheese with Green Chiles
    Keto Broccoli Salad With Bacon

    Keto Broccoli Salad

    by Dom Geracia
    I know it's summer when I start whipping up my Keto Broccoli Salad with Bacon. It just gets better as it sets!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 8 hrs 15 mins
    Total Time 8 hrs 30 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 320 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups broccoli fresh
    • 1 cup colby jack cheese
    • 4 slices bacon crumbled
    • ¼ cup red onion diced
    • ½ cup pecans

    Dressing

    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
    • 1 tablespoon sweetener
    • 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
    • 2 teaspoon pickle juice
    • 1 teaspoon celery seed
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    Dressing

    • Whisk all dressing ingredients together in small bowl. Chill until ready for use.

    Salad

    • Dice bacon and pan fry on medium-high heat until crispy. Remove from fat and drain on paper towel lined plate.
    • Chop broccoli and pecans into bite-sized pieces. Dice red onions.
    • In a large bowl, add the broccoli, cheese, bacon, red onions and pecans.
    • Pour the dressing over top of the mixture and toss to coat.
    • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2-8 hours. For best results, prepare a day in advance and chill overnight.

    Notes

    3g net carbs per serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 9gFat: 31gFiber: 2g
    Keyword bacon, broccoli, summer
    Tried this recipe?Tag @nobunplease or #nobunplease on Instagram!

    Want to get started on the Keto diet today?

    Following a Keto Diet doesn't have to be a big ordeal!

    Here are a few resources that can help you get started today:

    • 5 Newbie Mistakes on Keto
    • Keto Restaurant Guides
    • Keto Diet Food List
    • Macro Calculator

    What is your favorite Keto-friendly side dish when grilling out?

     

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    791 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Thay

      November 25, 2020 at 2:57 pm

      Thank you! What a great combination!

      Reply
    2. Kristen

      May 30, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      5 stars
      So flavorful and tasty!

      Reply
      • Dom Geracia

        May 30, 2020 at 5:35 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it, Kristen!

        Reply
    3. Marci

      May 30, 2020 at 3:13 pm

      5 stars
      So good! Tastes better the next day and even the next. I did cubed cheese and liked that a bit better than shredded. Perfect recipe to bring to a bbq or potluck.

      Reply
      • Dom Geracia

        May 30, 2020 at 5:36 pm

        I love the idea of using cubed cheese! Would be just as easy.

        Reply
    4. Ben

      May 17, 2020 at 12:30 pm

      Finally! A salad that is not boring.

      Reply
      • Dom Geracia

        May 30, 2020 at 5:37 pm

        Haha, thank you! I agree 🙂

        Reply

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    Dom of No Bun Please

    Hi, I'm Dom! After finding amazing success with a Keto diet, I created No Bun Please to share my recipes & resources with the world.

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