I didn’t think I’d be obsessed with a raw veggie salad. But this one? It’s like coleslaw’s cooler, creamier cousin—except it’s loaded with bacon, cheese, and the kind of tangy-sweet dressing that makes broccoli feel like a treat.
I’ve tested this for meal prep, potlucks, even packed it cold in a lunchbox on a hot day. It always holds up. And best of all? No sugar spikes, no weird ingredients, and absolutely zero raisins pretending they belong here.
💡 What Solves the “Low-Carb But Sad” Problem
Most keto salads either drown in mayo or try too hard to mimic carby classics. This one hits the balance:
- The sour cream + mayo combo gives creamy richness without heaviness.
- Swerve swaps in for sugar without wrecking your ketones.
- No raisins or sunflower seeds = fewer carbs, more crunch control.
- You still get bacon, cheddar, and a touch of sweet tang—which is why everyone grabs seconds, keto or not.
🧾 Ingredients That Kept It Keto
For the Salad
- 5 cups chopped broccoli – Low-carb crunch and fiber without sogginess.
- 5 cups chopped cauliflower – Neutral base that holds the dressing like a champ.
- 8 oz bacon, fried and crumbled – Protein + fat + salt = flavor glue.
- 8 oz cheddar cheese, cubed – Adds bite and keeps it filling. (Shredded works if you’re in a hurry.)
- 2 tbsp onion, diced – Just enough for zip without wrecking your net carb count.
For the Dressing
- 1 cup mayo (sugar-free) – Fat base for satiety.
- ½ cup sour cream – Lightens up the mayo, adds tang.
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar – Balances the richness and gives that signature Amish zing.
- 2 tbsp Swerve (granulated) – Sweetness without the carbs.
- ½ tsp salt + ¼ tsp pepper – Don’t skip. They pull the whole thing together.
🔁 Keto Swaps That Actually Work
| Swap | What Happens | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| Shredded cheese instead of cubes | Slightly less bite, mixes in more evenly | Yes, for texture preference |
| Greek yogurt for sour cream | More tang, less fat | Maybe—watch your carb count |
| Add sunflower seeds (1–2 tbsp) | Extra crunch, 1–2g net carbs | Yes, in moderation |
⚠️ How I Ruined It (And Recovered)
| What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | Fix It Like This |
|---|---|---|
| Mushy broccoli | Letting it sit too long dressed | Toss with dressing just before serving if texture matters |
| Bitter bite from onion | Raw onion too strong | Soak diced onion in cold water for 5 min, drain |
| Gritty dressing | Didn’t stir sweetener in fully | Whisk until totally smooth before pouring |
👩🍳 Step-by-Step: Real Keto Crunch
- Cook bacon crisp – I chop it with scissors before frying (way easier).
- Chop broccoli & cauliflower – Go small so every bite gets coated.
- Soak onions if using – 5 minutes in water, then drain.
- Cube the cheese – Or shred it if you prefer.
- Mix veggies, cheese, and bacon in a big bowl.
- Whisk dressing in a separate bowl until smooth.
- Toss it all together until well coated.
- Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight – Worth the wait.
🧠 Tracking hack: Divide into 12 equal portions before chilling—makes logging macros stupidly easy.
🧠 My Go-To Low-Carb Hacks
- Pre-chop broccoli + cauliflower early in the week = salad assembly in 5 min.
- Use kitchen scissors to chop bacon before cooking—no more crumbly mess.
- Stir sweetener into vinegar first—it dissolves better that way.
- If meal prepping, keep dressing separate until the day of to maintain max crunch.
🧊 Freezing + Reheating Without Ruining It
Let’s be real: this isn’t a freezer salad. Raw broccoli + creamy dressing doesn’t freeze well. But…
- Fridge life: 4–5 days tightly sealed.
- Meal prep tip: Store dressing separately if keeping longer than 2 days.
- Revive leftovers: Stir in a fresh splash of vinegar or mayo if it starts drying out.
❓ Can I Eat This on Keto? (Yes, Here’s Why)
- Net carbs per serving: 4g – Easily fits into most daily plans.
- High in fat and fiber – Keeps you full without spikes.
- No hidden sugar – Only Swerve, which doesn’t affect blood glucose for most.
Common Qs:
- Can I add eggs? Yep—hard-boiled and chopped works great.
- Is it kid-friendly? If they eat ranch and bacon, they’ll probably love this.
- Can I swap the sweetener? Yes, but test first—some have a bitter or cooling aftertaste.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, out of 12)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 353 kcal |
| Total Fat | 29g |
| • Saturated Fat | 9g |
| • Monounsaturated Fat | ~11g |
| • Polyunsaturated Fat | ~2g |
| Cholesterol | 51mg |
| Sodium | 684mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 6g |
| • Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| • Net Carbs | 4g |
| • Sugars (natural + sub) | 0g |
| Protein | 14g |
Check out More Recipes:
- Low Carb Keto Broccoli Salad With Almonds
- Low Carb Keto Broccoli And Cauliflower Salad
- Low Carb Keto Antipasto Salad With Broccoli
- Low Carb Keto Broccoli Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar
Low Carb Keto Amish Broccoli Salad
Description
Crunchy broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, and cheddar tossed in a tangy-sweet keto dressing—this low-carb salad is a creamy, crowd-pleasing side with just 4g net carbs.
Ingredients
Salad:
Dressing:
Instructions
- Cook bacon until crisp, drain, and crumble.
- Chop veggies and soak onion in water for 5 minutes.
- Cube cheese.
- Mix veggies, cheese, and bacon in large bowl.
- In small bowl, mix dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Pour over salad and toss to coat.
- Chill 4+ hours before serving.
Notes
- Tastes best after chilling overnight. If meal prepping, store dressing separately to keep veggies crisp.
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