…That Even Carb-Lovers Go Back For
I’ve made a lot of broccoli salads over the years—and most of them? Either too sweet (hello, hidden sugar bombs), or too raw-tasting and harsh. This version finally nails that balance: crisp but not tough, creamy but not greasy, with a hit of salty bacon and sweet tang from the monk fruit dressing.
This one’s in my regular rotation for meal prep, BBQs, and honestly… spoonfuls straight from the bowl.
💡 Why This One Works So Well
This isn’t just broccoli drowned in mayo. It’s the contrast—crunch from pecans, savory depth from bacon, sharp cheddar for fat and flavor, and a dressing that mimics the classic sweet profile without the glucose rollercoaster.
Blanching optional. Sweetener tested. Texture dialed in.
🧾 What Packs Flavor Without the Carbs
- Broccoli florets (5 cups) – Raw for crunch, or blanched if you want it milder. Just don’t overcook.
- Red onions (¼ cup) – Just enough for bite without overpowering.
- Bacon (½ lb, cooked + chopped) – Salty, crispy, fat-loaded perfection. Don’t skip.
- Pecans (¼ cup, chopped) – Adds crunch and healthy fats. Walnuts can sub in a pinch.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (¼ cup) – Sharp works better than mild. Fat + flavor carrier.
Dressing:
- Mayonnaise (⅔ cup) – Stick with a sugar-free, avocado oil-based mayo or homemade.
- Apple cider vinegar (2 tbsp) – Cuts through the fat and brightens the whole thing.
- Salt (½ tsp) – Essential. Don’t let bland ruin this.
- Monk fruit sweetener (2 tbsp) – Mimics that classic sweet-tangy broccoli salad taste without blowing your carb count.
🔁 Keto Swaps That Actually Work
| Swap | Use This Instead | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pecans | Sunflower seeds | For nut-free crunch; lowers cost, too. |
| Monk fruit | Allulose or erythritol | All work—just taste and adjust. Monk fruit has the least aftertaste IMO. |
| Mayo | Greek yogurt (half) + mayo (half) | Lowers fat a bit, but adds tang. Not strict keto, but doable if you track. |
⚠️ What Went Sideways (And Why)
| What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Watery dressing | Broccoli released moisture | Chill after mixing or blot broccoli if it’s wet. |
| Harsh onion flavor | Red onion sat raw too long | Soak slices in cold water for 5–10 min to mellow them. |
| Grainy dressing | Wrong sweetener texture | Use powdered or dissolve granular first. |
👩🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
- Make the dressing: Whisk mayo, monk fruit, vinegar, and salt in a big bowl until smooth.
- Add the good stuff: Stir in broccoli, onions, chopped bacon, pecans, and cheddar.
- Let it chill: You can eat it right away, but an hour in the fridge lets the flavors soak in and the broccoli soften slightly.
- Serve + store: Keeps up to 2 days in the fridge. Stir before serving.
I portion this into 8 servings (about ½ cup each) for easy macro tracking.
🧠 Keto Cooking Tricks That Help
- I sometimes pre-blanch the broccoli (1-minute boil, ice bath) if I’m making this for non-keto folks. It softens it just enough without getting soggy.
- Crisp the bacon extra hard—wimpy bacon disappears in the salad.
- If I need to stretch it for more people, I add chopped celery or cucumber for volume without spiking carbs.
🧊 Freezing + Reheating Without Ruining It
Don’t freeze this one. Mayo + raw veg = weird mushy mess after thawing. It does, however, hold up beautifully in the fridge for 48 hours.
Make it the day before your cookout, and let it shine.
❓ Real Keto Questions, Real Answers
Will this spike my blood sugar?
Not if you use a true zero-GI sweetener like monk fruit or allulose and watch your serving size. One serving = ~5g net carbs.
Can I eat this daily on keto?
Yep—just watch your bacon and cheese if you’re watching dairy or fat intake.
Do I have to use monk fruit?
Nope. Erythritol or allulose works too—just avoid sucralose blends that can cause cravings or gut drama.
🥦 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Recipe Makes 8 Servings)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 303 kcal |
| Total Fat | 28g |
| – Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Protein | 7g |
| Total Carbs | 6g |
| – Fiber | 1g |
| Net Carbs | 5g |
| Sugars | 2g (from onions/broccoli, not added sugar) |
| Cholesterol | 35mg |
| Sodium | 450mg |
Check out More Recipes:
- Low Carb Keto Broccoli Salad Dressing
- Low Carb Keto Broccoli Salad With Bacon
- Low Carb Keto Broccoli Salad
- Low Carb Keto Broccoli Pepperoni Salad
Low Carb Keto Broccoli Salad Monkfruit
Description
Crunchy, creamy, salty-sweet broccoli salad with bacon, cheese, and a zero-sugar dressing. Keto-friendly, 5g net carbs, and no sad salad vibes.
Ingredients
Salad:
Dressing:
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, vinegar, monk fruit, and salt.
- Stir in broccoli, onion, bacon, pecans, and cheddar.
- Chill at least 1 hour for best flavor and texture.
- Stir before serving. Store in fridge up to 2 days.
Notes
- For softer broccoli, blanch for 1–2 minutes and shock in ice water. I skip it unless I’m serving non-keto guests who aren’t into raw crunch.
- Use powdered sweetener to avoid a gritty dressing. Granular monk fruit can stay grainy unless fully dissolved.
