My absolute favorite Cauliflower Salad recipe is made with raw cauliflower, bacon and onion with and a sweet basil dressing that will have you hooked!
If there’s one salad recipe that’s guaranteed to a have guests asking for the recipe, it’s this delicious Cauliflower Salad. This recipe is my Mom’s and has been a family favorite forever! I love how unique it is and it couldn’t be easier to make.
How to cut cauliflower:
Start by removing the leaves from the base of the cauliflower. Next, use your knife to cut around the stem. As you do this, the cauliflower florets will naturally start to fall off. Use your knife to cut any big pieces into bite size pieces.
How to make Cauliflower Salad:
Make Dressing: Mix all dressing ingredients together and refrigerate. Can be made several days ahead of time.
Combine the cauliflower, bacon and onion in a bowl and toss with desired amount of dressing. Add lettuce and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!
Make Ahead Instructions:
The dressing can be made up to 5 days ahead of time. We suggest making it the night before you serve the salad. You could also toss the entire salad with dressing, besides the lettuce, 1-2 days before. Add in the lettuce just before serving.
Recipe Variations:
- Vegetarian Cauliflower Salad: Leave out the bacon.
- Add more veggies: Try adding shredded Brussels sprouts, chopped broccoli or carrots with the cauliflower for some extra crunch!
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Recipe
Cauliflower Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce , chopped, or any leafy greens
- 1 head cauliflower , cored, chopped
- 1/4 of a red onion , chopped, or sweet onion, more if desired
- 8-10 slices cooked bacon , chopped
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise (or ½ mayo, ½ Greek yogurt)
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1-2 Tablespoons granulated sugar , to taste
- 1 Tablespoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- dash nutmeg
- fresh cracked black pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Mix all dressing ingredients together. For best results, refrigerate dressing for at least an hour or up to 5 days ahead of time.
- Add salad ingredients to a bowl. Toss with desired amount of dressing. Enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
I originally shared this recipe April 2013. Updated July 2021.
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Do you have any suggestion for substitute. My husband doesn’t bacon or pork.
You could do turkey bacon!
Hi Lauren, yesterday I picked up a couple of cauliflowers but are jumbo sized. Can you tell me how many cups of cauliflower would be a good amount to use. Thank you❤️
The most delicious cauliflower salad I have ever tried.
As a follower of Paleo style eating, I had to make a few adjustments. I used coconut aminos in lieu of Worcestershire and only 1/2 teaspoon of coconut sugar. I’m not a fan of anything too sweet. I also used avocado oil mayonnaise by Primal Kitchen.
I had a bag of cauliflower rice from the refrigerated section of the grocery so I used that. I added some shredded carrots for a snap of color.
Everything turned out great! Salads are a staple for me so I’m always on the lookout for new ideas. I find plenty of recipes but most cannot easily be converted to Paleo. You nailed this one!
This was delicious and everyone that tried it wanted more! Thank you for such a delicious recipe! I have made it twice now in two days!
So glad I found this recipe!! Followed the recipe, only substituting a granular sugar substitute for the sugar (my husband is Type 2 Diabetic). Dressing so delicious on it! Took this to a church meal, and some who don’t like cauliflower asked for the recipe. My husband really likes it – he’s a raw cauliflower fan. Thank you!
Worcestershire isn’t vegetarian, so to make it vegetarian you would need to leave out the bacon and Worcestershire sauce.
I made it for my wife’s 81st birthday. Left out the nuts because of allergies. Everyone loved it. Will make it again. Thanks.
I used celery instead of lettuce and pork sausage pieces instead of bacon, only because that’s what I had around. This is absolutely delicious. Even the men of the house enjoyed it! Thank you
My husband and I made this. We also added broccoli! It was fantastic!