Description
Get ready to fall in love with a fresh, delightful take on a classic! This Creamy BLT Cauliflower Salad Delight captures all the irresistible flavors of your favorite sandwich – smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and creamy dressing – all in a vibrant, satisfying salad featuring tender cauliflower. It’s the perfect lighter, brighter option for lunch, a side dish, or a potluck star.
This refreshing cauliflower salad is packed with familiar, beloved BLT flavors and a satisfyingly creamy texture that makes it utterly irresistible.
Ingredients
1 lb chopped cauliflower (1 large head)
1 pint grape tomatoes halved
olive oil for drizzling
2 leeks sliced in half and sliced into half-moons
2 tbsp dill pickle relish
1/2 cup keto mayonnaise
2 tbsp mustard
4 green onions whites and greens sliced
pink salt
cracked black pepper
Instructions
1. Boil the chopped cauliflower in salted water until tender, about 7 minutes.
2. Drain and spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet to cool.
3. Preheat your oven to 375F (190C).
4. Toss the halved tomatoes with olive oil and salt on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes until softened. Let them cool.
5. Soak the sliced leeks in cold water to clean them, then drain well.
6. Saut the leeks in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until tender. Let them cool.
7. In a large bowl, mix the pickle relish, mustard, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
8. Add the cooled cauliflower, green onions, cooked leeks, and roasted tomatoes to the dressing.
9. Gently toss everything together until combined. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
10. Serve right away or chill until ready to eat.
Notes
For incredibly crispy bacon, lay the strips in a single layer in a cold skillet, then gradually heat it over medium heat. This allows the fat to render slowly, resulting in perfect crispness.
You can use raw cauliflower for a firmer crunch, or if you prefer it slightly softer, you can blanch the florets for 1-2 minutes in boiling water and then immediately plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking. Be sure to drain them very well.
If your dressing seems a little too thick, you can thin it out with a tiny splash of milk or a bit more apple cider vinegar. For a thicker dressing, add a little more mayonnaise.
When combining the salad ingredients with the dressing, be gentle. You want everything to be coated without crushing or bruising the delicate lettuce and tomatoes.
Reserve most of the crumbled bacon to sprinkle on top right before serving to ensure maximum crunch.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad