Craving a refreshingly delicious, healthy, and satisfying side dish that perfectly aligns with your low-carb and keto lifestyle? Look no further than this incredibly easy Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon. This creamy, flavorful recipe is packed with fresh vegetables, crunchy sunflower seeds, and savory bacon, making it an ideal sweet and savory slaw for any gathering, from summer BBQs to holiday feasts. Forget the traditional versions loaded with sugar and dried fruit; our recipe offers a guilt-free indulgence that doesn’t compromise on taste. Plus, with simple substitutions like sour cream or ranch dressing for mayo, and the option to use frozen broccoli, it’s incredibly versatile and adaptable to your pantry staples.

Creamy Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon, red onions, and sunflower seeds in a blue bowl

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This post was originally published in 2019 and has since been updated to provide even more valuable information and optimize for a better reader experience.

FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE’S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.

Welcome to the season of vibrant spring and summer salads! This delightful broccoli salad holds a special place in our family, often gracing the tables at our summer BBQs, picnics, and cookouts. Unlike many conventional broccoli salad recipes that feature refined sugar and carb-heavy additions like raisins, craisins, or dried cranberries, our keto-friendly version focuses on fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Dried fruits, while tasty, are notoriously high in carbohydrates, making them unsuitable for a strict keto diet. To ensure this summer salad remains perfectly keto-compliant, we simply omit the dried fruit entirely. The result is a crisp, creamy, and satisfying salad that delivers all the flavor you love without the sugar crash.

Contents

Why You’ll Love This Keto Broccoli Salad

This isn’t just another salad; it’s a testament to how flavorful and fulfilling keto eating can be. If you’re searching for a dish that is both easy to prepare and incredibly versatile, this recipe hits all the marks. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, meal prepping, or as a vibrant addition to any barbecue. The combination of crisp raw broccoli, crispy bacon, savory red onion, and creamy dressing creates a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will delight your palate. Its low-carb profile ensures it fits seamlessly into your dietary goals, helping you stay on track without feeling deprived. Moreover, it’s a fantastic way to incorporate more nutrient-dense vegetables into your diet in a way that even picky eaters will enjoy.

The Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, making it an excellent base for a healthy salad. It’s rich in vitamins C and K, and a good source of fiber, which is crucial for digestive health and satiety, especially on a keto diet. This cruciferous vegetable also contains various antioxidants and compounds that may help reduce inflammation and support overall well-being. By opting for a sugar-free dressing and lean bacon, we maximize the health benefits of this already fantastic ingredient. Incorporating broccoli into your diet can support everything from bone health to immune function, making this salad not just delicious but incredibly beneficial.

How Many Carbs and Calories are in This Keto Dish?

One of the best features of this particular recipe is its excellent macro profile, making it a stellar choice for anyone monitoring their intake. Each serving boasts approximately 310 calories and a mere 4 net carbs. This allows you to enjoy a substantial, flavorful side dish without derailing your ketogenic progress. For those looking to further reduce their calorie intake, minor adjustments can be made. You can easily save some calories by reducing the amount of mayonnaise used in the dressing or by opting for a leaner cut of bacon or even less bacon. These small modifications offer flexibility to tailor the dish to your specific dietary needs while still retaining its delicious essence.

Raw chopped broccoli on a cutting board, ready for the salad

How Many Carbs are in Broccoli?

For those tracking their carbohydrate intake, broccoli is an exceptional choice. While the total carb count might appear somewhat modest, it’s crucial to remember that broccoli is loaded with dietary fiber. Fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate, which means it doesn’t impact blood sugar levels and is subtracted from total carbs to calculate “net carbs.” This is why broccoli is a keto staple. A single cup of raw broccoli florets, for example, typically contains around 6 grams of total carbohydrates but an impressive 4 grams of fiber, resulting in only 2 net carbs. This low net carb count makes it an ideal vegetable for ketogenic and low-carb diets, allowing you to enjoy its crunchy texture and nutrient benefits freely.

Ingredients for Keto Low Carb Broccoli Salad laid out: broccoli, mayo, red onion, sunflower seeds, bacon, sweetener, apple cider vinegar

How to Make Keto Broccoli Salad

Preparing this keto-friendly broccoli salad is remarkably simple and requires just a few straightforward steps. The beauty of this recipe lies in its minimal effort for maximum flavor.

First, gather all your fresh ingredients. You will need finely chopped raw broccoli florets, a high-quality keto-friendly mayonnaise, tangy apple cider vinegar, your preferred zero-calorie sweetener (such as erythritol or monk fruit), crispy crumbled uncured bacon, crunchy sunflower seed kernels (or slivered almonds for an alternative crunch), finely diced red onions, and, of course, salt and pepper to taste.
Once your ingredients are prepped, simply combine them all in a large mixing bowl.
Stir the mixture thoroughly until all the broccoli florets and other components are evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Ensure that the dressing reaches every piece to infuse maximum flavor.
Finally, cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. This crucial step allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the dressing to subtly soften the raw broccoli, enhancing the salad’s overall texture.

Chopped broccoli mixed with mayo, red onions, sunflower seeds, bacon, and sweetener in a red bowl

Do You Use Raw Broccoli? Do You Have to Cook Broccoli?

Yes, for this classic broccoli salad, raw broccoli is indeed the star ingredient. There’s no need to cook the broccoli beforehand, which keeps the preparation quick and simple. The unique combination of creamy mayonnaise and the acidity of apple cider vinegar in the dressing works wonders to tenderize the raw broccoli over time. As the salad chills, the dressing penetrates the florets, softening them just enough to achieve a pleasant, crisp-tender texture while infusing them with incredible flavor. This chilling period is essential not only for flavor development but also for perfecting the salad’s final texture, allowing the ingredients to truly meld into a cohesive and delicious dish.

Close-up of creamy Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon, red onions, and sunflower seeds in a blue bowl

How to Substitute Mayo

While mayonnaise provides the quintessential creamy base for this broccoli salad, you have excellent options if you prefer an alternative or want to reduce the fat content. For a delicious and tangy twist, consider using Ranch Salad Dressing as a substitute. Ensure it’s a keto-friendly brand or, even better, a homemade version to avoid hidden sugars. Plain Greek yogurt is another fantastic option, offering a lighter, protein-rich, and slightly tangier profile. Similarly, sour cream can be used to achieve a rich, creamy texture with a delightful tang. Experiment with these alternatives to find the perfect creamy consistency and flavor that suits your preference.

Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon being mixed in a bowl, showing fresh broccoli, red onions, sunflower seeds, and crispy bacon

How to Use Frozen Broccoli

If fresh broccoli isn’t readily available or if you simply prefer the convenience of frozen, it can certainly be used in this recipe with a slight modification to ensure the best texture. Frozen broccoli florets are typically blanched before freezing, which means they are partially cooked. To prepare them for this salad without making them mushy, you’ll want to quickly revive them. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil on the stove. Add the frozen broccoli florets to the boiling water for just about 20 seconds – no longer! Immediately after this quick blanch, transfer the broccoli into a bowl of ice water. This “ice bath” rapidly stops the cooking process, helping the broccoli retain some of its crispness. Drain thoroughly before adding to the rest of your salad ingredients.

Prepared Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon, red onions, sunflower seeds, and creamy dressing in a serving bowl

How to Store the Salad

Proper storage is key to enjoying your Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon for several days. Once prepared, transfer the salad to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will maintain its freshness and delicious flavor for up to 3-4 days. The chilling process actually allows the flavors to deepen and the broccoli to further tenderize, often making it even more enjoyable the day after it’s made. However, I strongly advise against freezing this dish. The unique texture of fresh broccoli and the creamy dressing will not hold up well to freezing and thawing. Freezing will likely cause the broccoli to become mushy and the dressing to separate, resulting in a less-than-desirable consistency and flavor.

A fork holding a portion of Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon, showcasing its creamy texture and fresh ingredients

Can Broccoli Salad Be Made Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! This Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad is an excellent candidate for meal prepping and can be made ahead of time. In fact, many find that the flavors of the salad actually improve after a few hours or even overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the dressing to fully meld with the broccoli, red onion, and bacon, creating a more cohesive and deeply flavored dish. If you plan to serve the salad within 3-4 days of making it, preparing it in advance is a fantastic way to save time and ensure a stress-free meal or gathering. Just make sure to keep it properly covered and refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon makes an excellent side dish for a wide array of main courses. Its creamy texture and savory crunch perfectly complement grilled meats and robust flavors, making it a staple for any BBQ or summer cookout. Pair this delightful broccoli salad with your favorite keto mains such as tender Keto Pulled Pork, flavorful Keto Barbacoa, fall-off-the-bone Instant Pot Ribs or crispy Air Fryer Ribs. It also pairs wonderfully with perfectly seasoned Keto Grilled Chicken. Don’t forget to drizzle some homemade Keto BBQ sauce over your chosen protein for the ultimate low-carb feast!

More Keto Summer Salad Recipes

If you’re loving the fresh, low-carb options for summer, explore these other fantastic keto-friendly salad recipes:

Keto Coleslaw
Keto Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Shrimp Avocado Ceviche Salad
Keto Chicken Salad
Keto Cauliflower Potato Salad
Keto Egg Salad

Easy, Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Yield:
7 servings

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Chill Time:
1 hour

Total Time:
1 hour 10 minutes

This Easy, Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon is a healthy and creamy recipe loaded with a handful of fresh veggies and sunflower seeds. This summer salad makes the perfect sweet and savory slaw for any occasion. Sour cream or ranch dressing can be substituted for no mayo, and frozen broccoli can be used in place of fresh.

Rating: 4.5 Stars based on 36 reviews

Ingredients

6 cups raw broccoli florets, finely chopped
1 cup Primal Kitchen mayo (or your preferred keto-friendly mayonnaise)
¼ cup sunflower seed kernels or slivered almonds
1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons zero-calorie Sweetener (such as monk fruit or erythritol)
4 slices cooked and crumbled uncured bacon
⅓ cup chopped red onion, finely diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Watch the video instructions (if available on the original site) for a visual guide.
Begin by preparing your raw broccoli florets. Slice them into thin, bite-sized pieces to ensure they absorb the dressing effectively and are easy to eat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared broccoli florets, keto-friendly mayonnaise, sunflower seed kernels (or almonds), apple cider vinegar, zero-calorie sweetener, crispy crumbled bacon, and finely chopped red onion.
Stir all the ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined and the broccoli is evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the dressing to subtly tenderize the raw broccoli, enhancing its texture and taste.

Notes

Sweetness Adjustment: If you prefer a less sweet broccoli salad, start with 1 tablespoon of sweetener. Taste repeatedly and add more as needed to achieve your desired balance. 2 tablespoons of sweetener, combined with the apple cider vinegar, typically create a harmonious sweet and savory salad.
Sweetener Options: You can substitute monk fruit or any other keto-friendly sweetener for the suggested sweetener. If you’re not strictly keto, you can also use the same amount of standard granulated sugar.
Creaminess Control: 1 cup of mayonnaise will yield a very creamy salad. If you prefer a lighter dressing, start with ½ to ¾ cup of mayonnaise and add more gradually until you reach your desired level of creaminess.
Mayo Alternatives: For a different flavor profile or to adjust macros, you can substitute the mayonnaise with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Storage: This broccoli salad will last well when covered and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezing: Freezing broccoli salad is not recommended as it will lose its crisp texture and the dressing may separate upon thawing. Enjoy it fresh!

Quick Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad with Bacon