Cauliflower Broccoli Ham Salad {Low Carb / Keto}
Remember those potlucks where the best dish was always that creamy, crunchy, totally not-good-for-you pasta salad? Yeah, I miss that too. When I started eating low-carb, I thought those days were over.
I was wrong.
This Cauliflower Broccoli Ham Salad gives you all that classic flavor without the carb crash. It’s the side dish you’ve been missing.
Cauliflower Broccoli Ham Salad (The Low-Carb Hero)
This salad isn’t just a substitute; it’s an upgrade. It’s packed with fresh veggies, savory ham, and a creamy dressing that holds it all together.
Perfect for a backyard barbecue, a quick weekday lunch, or when you just need something satisfying and simple. You get all the comfort food vibes with none of the guilt.
What You’ll Need
Let’s get our ingredients in order. No fancy stuff here, just simple, fresh ingredients that you can find at any store.
For the Salad:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower
- 1 medium head of broccoli
- 1 cup cooked ham, diced
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
| Ingredient | Role in Salad |
|---|---|
| Cauliflower/Broccoli | Crunchy Base |
| Ham | Salty Protein |
| Cheddar Cheese | Creamy Richness |
| Red Onion/Celery | Fresh Bite |
| Creamy Dressing | Ties It All Together |
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need a chef’s kitchen for this one.
- Large mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Small bowl for dressing
- Whisk or spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
How to Make This Salad
This comes together in just a few simple steps. The hardest part is waiting for it to chill.
Step 1: Wash and chop your cauliflower and broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. Chop the red onion and celery, too.
Step 2: Dice your cooked ham and cube the cheddar cheese. Try to make them about the same size as your veggie florets.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Add salt and pepper until it tastes right to you.
Step 4: Grab your large mixing bowl. Add the cauliflower, broccoli, ham, cheese, red onion, and celery.
Step 5: Pour the dressing over everything. Gently stir until every piece is coated in that creamy goodness.
Step 6: Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. An hour is even better. This lets all the flavors get to know each other.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
I’ve made this salad more times than I can count. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way.
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Blanch Your Veggies: Don’t like raw cauliflower or broccoli? Blanch them. Just drop the florets in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then immediately move them to an ice bath. This softens them slightly and makes them bright green. Make sure they are completely dry before adding them to the salad.
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Let the Dressing Sit: Make your dressing first, before you even start chopping. Letting it sit for 15-20 minutes gives the flavors time to meld together for a much better taste.
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Don’t Skip the Chill Time: I know, you want to eat it right away. But chilling the salad is a critical step. It makes the veggies crispier and the whole salad tastes a hundred times better.
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Dice Everything Uniformly: Try to keep your ham, cheese, and veggies about the same size. It makes for a perfect bite every single time.
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is a great starting point. Feel free to play around with it and make it your own.
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Protein Swap: Not a fan of ham? Use diced chicken, crispy bacon, or even pepperoni. For a meat-free option, chickpeas work, but they will add carbs.
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Cheese Please: Any hard cheese works well. Try Colby, Swiss, or even a smoked gouda for a different flavor.
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Add More Crunch: Toasted sunflower seeds or chopped pecans can add a wonderful texture.
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Dressing Tweaks: If you don’t have sour cream, you can use plain Greek yogurt. For a little kick, add a dash of hot sauce or some cayenne pepper to the dressing.
| Original Ingredient | Possible Swap |
|---|---|
| Ham | Chicken or Bacon |
| Cheddar | Swiss or Colby |
| Red Onion | Green Onion |
| Sour Cream | Greek Yogurt |
Make-Ahead Tips
You can easily prep this salad ahead of time.
Chop all your vegetables, ham, and cheese and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can also mix the dressing and keep it in a separate jar in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just combine everything and stir.
Serving and Storing
This salad is a perfect side dish for grilled meats like steak or chicken. It’s also hearty enough to be a meal all on its own.
Leftovers and Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
The salad might get a little watery as it sits. Just give it a good stir before serving, and it will be fine. I do not recommend freezing this salad.
Nutrition and Diet Info
This salad is designed to be low-carb and keto-friendly. The main sources of carbs are the vegetables, which are full of fiber.
| Nutrient (Estimated) | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Net Carbs | 6g |
| Protein | 15g |
| Fat | 29g |
To make this dairy-free, use a dairy-free cheese alternative and a vegan mayo and sour cream substitute. Just check the labels for added sugars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions I get asked all the time.
Q1. Can I use frozen cauliflower and broccoli?
Ans: You can, but I don’t love it for this recipe. Frozen veggies release a lot of water and can make the salad soggy. If you must, make sure to thaw them completely and squeeze out as much water as possible.
Q2. Is this salad really keto-friendly?
Ans: Yes. The ingredients are all low in carbs and high in fat and protein. Just be sure to use a mayonnaise with no added sugar.
Q3. Why did my salad get watery?
Ans: This usually happens because the vegetables weren’t completely dry. Make sure to pat your cauliflower and broccoli dry after washing, especially if you blanch them.
Q4. Can I make this salad a full meal?
Ans: It’s pretty filling on its own! If you want to bulk it up, add more ham or some shredded chicken. Serving it over a bed of lettuce also works well.
Wrapping Up
This cauliflower broccoli ham salad is proof that eating low-carb doesn’t have to be boring. It’s creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor.
So go ahead and give it a try. I think you’ll be surprised at how good it is.
When you make it, drop a comment below and let me know what you think! I love hearing how these recipes turn out for you.
