If you are looking for a low carb alternative to traditional creamy potato salad, this cauliflower salad ticks all the boxes.
Cauliflower is one of those great ingredients that are available all year round depending on the variety you use. You can have cauliflower varieties perfect for spring picnic salads and varieties perfect for fall picnic salads. I think it is an incredibly versatile, yet underutilized veg, especially on the picnic scene. Take our Cauliflower Buffalo Dip recipe, for example, it’s a wonderful picnic dip, especially for the cooler months. Or, our Cauliflower Hash Browns which make a great picnic brunch dish or bite-size appetiser.
Recipe Suggestions and Variations
Don’t Overcook the Cauliflower
While you can use raw cauliflower (let it sit in the dressing for as long as possible before serving) this recipe calls for cooked cauliflower. The trick here is to lightly blanch the cauliflower – don’t overcook it or it will turn to mush in your salad.
Roast Your Cauliflower
Another alternative to blanching, for more depth of flavour, is to roast your cauliflower florets. Simply place the florets on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and a little salt and roast until softened and golden.
Variations
- If you don’t have shallots, chives are a great substitute, even dried ones at a pinch.
- You can sub sun-dried tomatoes for bacon bits for a non-veggie version.
- Seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower make a great addition for extra crunch.
Cauliflower Salad
A low carb alternative to traditional potato salad, this creamy cauliflower salad with sundried tomatoes is an excellent make-ahead salad that only gets better with time.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 small head cauliflower
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 2 shallots
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes
- Salt & pepper
- Parsley or herb of choice for garnish
Instructions
- Boil eggs and set aside to cool.
- Chop cauliflower into florets – larger is better so they don't fall apart.
- Blanch the cauliflower in boiling water or use a steamer. This should only take a few minutes as you want the cauliflower to be cooked, yet still firm so it holds its florets. If you overcook it, it will end up mush in the salad. Set aside to cool.
- Chop celery, shallots and sundried tomatoes into small pieces.
- Place the cooked cauliflower, celery, shallots, boiled eggs (reserve some egg wedges for a top garnish) and sundried tomatoes into a big salad bowl. Toss with mayonnaise and dijon mustard. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with remaining egg quarters and sprinkle with herb of your choice. Any remaining shallots or chives make a nice garnish.
- Enjoy immediately or refrigerate it until chill.
Notes
- This salad tastes better when it has had time to sit (much like potato salad) so can be made a day in advance.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days.
- You can always sub sundried tomatoes for bacon bits for a non-vegetarian version.
- Add seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower for extra texture and crunch.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 281Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 525mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 7g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate