Cauliflower Potato Salad
With a handful of simple healthy ingredients, you can enjoy this Cauliflower Potato Salad in under 15 minutes. It’s super creamy, tangy and has the same great flavors as traditional potato salad without all the carbs!
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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Cauliflower Potato Salad Recipe
- Same creaminess and tangy flavors of traditional potato salad
- Easy to make in under 15 minutes
- Uses a handful of simple healthy ingredients
- Keto and low carb substitute for potato salad
- Perfect side to bring to a potluck or BBQ
Take two of your favorite barbecue sides- potato salad and egg salad and combine them with a Keto/Low Carb twist by using cauliflower. This easy Keto side dish comes together in under 15 minutes and it can even be made ahead. In fact, the longer it sits in the fridge, the better it will taste!
This is a great low carb side dish to bring to a barbecue or potluck lunch! You might be wondering, can you make potato salad with cauliflower? The answer is a resounding yes and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how much this really tastes like traditional potato salad!
🛒 What’s in Keto Cauliflower Potato Salad
- Cauliflower
- Eggs
- Dill pickles
- Red onion
- Apple cider vinegar
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Celery salt
- Dried dill
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
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🔪 How to Make Cauliflower Potato Salad
Add the cauliflower florets to a microwave safe bowl.
Microwave for 8-10 minutes or until slightly tender (or your desired texture). Drain any water and pat dry with paper towels.
Tip: You can steam it instead, if you don’t have or want to use a microwave, but I would not boil it, it will be too watery.
Add the pickles, onion and boiled egg to a large bowl along with the cooked cauliflower.
In a separate bowl, add all the remaining ingredients and whisk well.
Pour the dressing over the cauliflower, while still warm and toss until well coated.
Store in the fridge until ready to serve, at least 1 hour or longer. The longer it sits, the better it will taste!
Tip: Adding the dressing to the cauliflower while it’s still warm really helps infuse the flavors into the cauliflower.
☑️ Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for several days.
🍴 What to Serve with Keto Potato Salad
The great thing about cauliflower potato salad is just how versatile it is. It will pair nicely with just about any protein that you like. Here are some of my favorites you can try:
- Keto Meatloaf
- Air Fryer Italian Chicken
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Chimichurri Chicken
- Pan Fried Pork Chops
- Smokey Chipotle Lime Chicken
💡 Tips for Making Cauliflower Potato Salad
- Cut the florets into slightly smaller than bite sized. You want the sauce to really coat each piece.
- Use fresh cauliflower for this recipe. Frozen cauliflower will add too much moisture, making for a soggy dish.
- Homemade mayonnaise really makes this recipe special, but if you’d rather use store bought, that is perfectly fine. Just make sure to look for sugar or other ingredients that you want to avoid on Keto and low carb diets.
- For a quick time saver, use pre-cut florets that are available in most all produce areas.
- Dijon mustard adds extra spice to this mock potato salad, but you can use dried mustard if you prefer.
🔄 Substitutions and Additions
- If you don’t like mayonnaise, you can use a combination of Greek yogurt and sour cream instead.
- You can use fresh dill instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor.
- If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar instead.
- Red onions can be replaced with chopped scallions if that’s what you have on hand.
- If you don’t have celery salt on hand, you can substitute with salt.
- If you like a crunchier texture, you can add some finely chopped celery
Is Potato Salad Healthy?
There are typically about 28 carbs in just one cup of potato salad. This is of course, too many carbs for a Keto or low carb diet.
How Many Carbs are in Cauliflower Potato Salad?
This cauliflower potato salad recipes has only 2 net carbs per serving, making it ideal for Keto.
How Many Carbs in Cauliflower?
Cauliflower has very low net carbs. The amount of net carbs per serving depends on the way it is prepared. For chopped, raw or steamed cauliflower, there are approximately 3 net carbs per 1 cup serving.
Is Cauliflower Keto?
Cauliflower is an essential vegetable for most people following Keto or a low carb diet. It’s very low in carbohydrates and has a fairly neutral taste. Recipes like Roasted Cauliflower Ham and Cheese Casserole, Smoked Sausage and Cauliflower Cheddar Soup and Red Curry Coconut Chicken with Lime Cilantro Cauliflower Rice are all great examples of how easily you can incorporate cauliflower into your diet.
Is Cauliflower a Good Substitute for Potatoes?
Many Keto recipes use cauliflower as a substitute for starchy, carb heavy ingredients like potatoes, rice and pasta.
Can you Freeze Cauliflower Potato Salad?
I would not recommend freezing this recipe and honestly, since it will last several days in the fridge, it’s likely you won’t have any leftovers to freeze.
How Do you Make Cauliflower Potato Salad?
For this low carb potato salad recipe, I essentially took all the same ingredients that I used to make my traditional potato salad with and simply replaced the potatoes with cauliflower.
🍽️ More Keto Side Dishes
- Jalapeño Popper Cauliflower “Mac” and Cheese
- Easy Coleslaw
- Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower
- Easy Creamed Spinach
- Buffalo Cauliflower “Mac” and Cheese
- Easy Broccoli Salad
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Cauliflower Potato Salad
RECIPE VIDEO
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into small bites
- 3 large hard boiled eggs, chopped
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup red onion, minced
- 3 tablespoons dill pickles, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the cauliflower florets to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 8-10 minutes or until slightly tender (or your desired texture). You can steam it instead, if you don't have or want to use a microwave, but I would not boil it, it will be too watery. Drain any water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Add the pickles, onion and egg to a large bowl. Add all the remaining ingredients to a cup and mix well. Pour in the cauliflower (while still warm) into the large bowl.
- Pour in the cauliflower (while still warm) into the large bowl. Then pour the sauce over the top and toss until well coated. Store in the fridge until ready to serve, at least 1 hour or longer. The longer it sits, the better it will taste!
Recipe Notes
*Make sure to scroll up and read the post for substitutions, additions and helpful tips for making this recipe.
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
© Copyright for Keto Cooking Christian LLC. Please use the share buttons to share on social media, but please do not copy/paste the recipe.
Rate this Recipe*Originally published on August 21, 2018, updated on May 9, 2025 with improvements to the recipe, new photos, new recipe information and helpful tips.
I never knew that I could microwave cauliflower. It turns out perfectly. I have always steamed itbutthis is easier, less messing LESS OFOR!! The salad is delish.
I love cooking cauliflower this way also, it is just so much easier.Thank you so much for stopping to leave such a nice comment.
Absolutely yummy and easy!
I had always roasted my cauliflower for all recipes until I read your method of cooking….gracious!
Why heat up the house w/ the oven when microwaving is SO easy and fast!
I thought I was missing where you add lots of water or something, but NOPE.
Just zap it and voila! I did put a paper plate over the top of the bowl as instructed on your cauliflower mashed recipe. Perfect consistency for this and other recipes!
I dislike mushy and this method is so perfect!
Thanks much!
Thank you so much for the kinds words. I am thrilled you loved the cooking tips. I also love how easy it is to get tender and flavorful florets.
I’m not big on cauliflower but I wanted something low carb. This was very good and tasted much like a real potato salad. my husband is very picky and didn’t love the main dish I made but did like this salad that went with it.
That’s awesome to hear. It really does satisfy those potato salad cravings.
Delicious!
Thank you so much.
Was delicious. I do not like dijon mustard so just used some French’s mustard. And instead of red onion I like green onions so used those. It really tastes like a potato salad and even my 83 year old mother liked it.
Aww, that’s wonderful, I’m glad she liked it too!
Would this recipe work with frozen cauliflower?
I have never tried to make it with frozen, so I really can’t tell you how it would turn out.
Definitely going into my bbq go-to folder! I recently found your site, Julianne, and really look forward to trying so many of your fabulous (and highly rated woo-hoo!) recipes. With Keto ingredients much pricier than the cheap unhealthy mainstream offerings, I always pick and choose carefully when deciding on one, having more than my share of disappointments in the past. Just wanted to add my kudos to this fauxtato version of the traditional bbq standby. Went over well with a lot of picky non-keto eaters, and the keto folks loved it too. Awesome! Thanks!
WOW! Thanks for such an awesome review. I have to say, this is one of my favorite Keto side dishes too.
Thank you so much! I am so glad you all enjoyed it. Isn’t it awesome that we get to enjoy so many delicious foods on Keto?
Absolutely Delicious!! The only change I made was I baked my cauliflower in the oven so you don’t get the extra moisture from cooking or microwaving. The cauliflower stays more firm. I have taken this to several parties and everyone loved it and can’t believe it’s cauliflower. A little bit of work but oh so worth it!! 😋😋
I am so happy you enjoyed it. It’s one of my most favorite side dishes too.
Love this recipe! Hasn’t even chilled yet! I used fresh dill, because I had it and couldn’t find my dried dill. I will be making this again and again, even when not doing low carb.
Fresh dill is really good in this recipe! It really is one of my most favorite side recipes.
Unbelievable!! This is So good! It tastes justed like Potato Salad. I just can’t believe it. This is my first real “cauliflower” recipe. I’m definitely going to try more recipes with cauliflower. Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Thank you so much! I absolutely love this recipe too and make it all the time. I am so happy you enjoyed it.
Made this today for a BBQ tomorrow. I tried it and IT IS AMAZING! I bought enough to make a double batch but decided against it. Now I’m kicking myself because it’s gonna go quick. My chopped cauli came out to be around 5-6 cups (rough estimate). Thanks for this delicious recipe!
I am thrilled to hear how much you love it. It totally satisfies that potato salad craving.
Hello Julianne
Here I am again thanking you for another amazing recipe. My very picky keto hubby has been missing potato salad so when this popped up in one of your recent emails, I decided to try it and refrigerated it for over a day. I served the “Doughting Thomas” a small spoonful he immediately asked for more.!!! A hit!!! Thank you also for the scriptures, my God bless you. You are a blessing for us in our Keto lifestyle.
I am so excited he enjoyed it. I think this is my favorite Keto and it’s so easy to make. You’re so welcome for the scriptures. They bless me daily as well.
Made this with turnips & additional 1/2t ground cumin, diced celery, sliced green olives & 3 extra eggs it was sooo good! Even my 3 teen granddaughter’s and their friends chose this over regular potato salad! Needless to say NO LEFTOVERS!
Awesome! I am so glad you all enjoyed it. I love green olives! Great idea.
I made this for a small BBQ without the egg and used vegan mayo (because of a vegan guest). WOAH! This was better than potato salad. Unbelievable good, and the crowd went wild. Thank you – I will definitely be making this recipe again.
I love hearing this! I am so excited you enjoyed it.
This takes a lot more than the time listed but it’s really worth it. It looks beautiful and tastes pretty good. I subbed bacon for egg since that is what I would do in a potato salad. It took about 5 pieces of bacon to replace the three eggs and the macros only change slightly.
I am not sure why it took you longer. A couple of things to consider maybe, make sure your cauliflower florets are cut fairly small so they cook quickly. Typically, the dressing for the recipe is prepared while the cauliflower cooks which should not add any additional prep time. I hope these tips help.
Could you tell me the weight of the amount of cauliflower you used?
I have a bag of pre cut florets I want to use. Thanks!
I do not weigh cauliflower in this recipe. I just use a small to medium sized head. Keep in mind cauliflower will shrink slightly when you cook it. So to make sure your recipe doesn’t end up runny, add the dressing to the cauliflower a little at a time, until it gets to “potato” salad consistency. It will turn out great! I hope you enjoy it.
Just made this for the first time. And am blown away. Can’t wait for the wife to get home and tey it!
Yay, that’s wonderful to hear, so glad you enjoyed it!
Just finished making this.Had to sample..really good!Putting in refrigerator til tomorrow.
It’s so much better the next day!
I’m not a big potato salad fan, but decided to try this recipe. I’m so glad I did! It is fantastic! I left my cauliflower a little “al dente”, and it was so good. My dad used to say, “It hit the spot!” Now I know what he’s talking about!
That’s awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed it. It is probably one of my most favorite recipes, especially in the summer months.
There’s no way mine will make it till tomorrow. Delish!
Love this recipe – thank you.for sharing it
You are so welcome and glad you loved it!
This was gobbled up by my hubby who could not believe it was cauliflower. The only change I made was to use fresh dill, which made it 6 star worthy.
Fresh dill sounds fabulous, glad you all liked it!
Would be helpful to have the cauliflower measured in terms of cups in the event that I use the pre-cut package?
A lot will depend on how large or small you cut your cauliflower. But next time I make it, I can measure the weight instead and add a note in the recipe. This would be much more accurate than cups for cauliflower.
Wow … THIS! I’m not a huge fan of potato salad (I know, I’m strange that way) but this is AWESOME! The flavors are so good and fresh. My honey didn’t believe it wasn’t potatoes in it at first. This is a huge hit and will definitely be showing up for many BBQs and family picnics. Thank you for sharing = )
Aww, so nice to hear that and glad it was a hit with your honey too 🙂
My husband doesn’t like cauliflower but loves this! Great recipe.
Aww, mine doesn’t either, but he loves this!
Same! He begs me to make it all the time!
Because of recipes like this, I rarely miss carbs.
Well done!
So nice to hear!!
Absolutely wonderful!!
Thanks so much!
Thanks a lot made it today! It tastes amazing..
Oh how nice, glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by to let me know 🙂
This is amazing! Thank you for sharing! I Made it for the family today and they loved it. My Grandpa honestly thought it was potato salad 🤣
Oh that’s wonderful to hear! Glad your grandpa enjoyed it as much as potato salad, that’s awesome! 🙂
Absolutely delicious!!!
Awesome, glad you liked it!
Serving size?
A serving is 1/4th of the entire recipe, so it’s a nice size serving!
Thank you. I had some left over roasted cauliflower and broccoli and used it for “potato salad”. It was great. Looking forward to trying your recipe
I made this cauliflower salad (for me-keto) and a real potato salad (for guests-non-keto). Needless to say they kept eating the cauliflower salad and I was stuck with no leftovers!!! I’ve made this 3x and love it! Thanks for sharing!
PS-I forgot to add 5 stars and it won’t let me edit the star rating!!!
Hi Melanie,
Glad you and your non-Keto guests enjoyed it! It never lasts long in my house either 🙂
I have made this recipe several times and love it.
It is amazing how much it tastes like potato salad..
I grate my boiled eggs and add paprika also.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Gail,
I love the addition of paprika, great idea! Glad you enjoy it 🙂
Just made this dish tonight and everyone in the family approves. Gosh! I don’t know how many times my husband says it’s like a real potato salad hahaha. My mom-in-law would love to have this again for our summer party.
The only thing that we added though is the paprika to give a little bit of color but bacon will do too.
Highly recommended!
How nice! Well I’m really happy to hear everyone enjoyed it! I love the paprika idea, I might have to try that next time I make it. Thanks for sharing!
this is so delicious! I omitted the egg just because of preference and add more cauliflower and onion. so good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Has anyone tried making this with turnips? They are a great substitute for potatoes.
It is really hard to not love this salad. Some may be able to tell there aren’t potatoes in there, but I love potato salad, and I am so happy to have found this recipe. I’ve subscribed to the site and cant wait to try more of your recipes.
Hi Julia,
I’m right there with you, I just love it and really don’t miss the potatoes! Thanks for letting me know you like it and for subscribing 🙂
Super yummy!! I forgot to add the vinegar, but it still turned out delicious!!
I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
This is so good. I actually thought I was cheating on my diet
Thanks so much for the feedback, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Made this today. It was amazing
Thanks for letting me know and I’m glad you liked it!!