Loaded Cauliflower Salad Recipe
This Loaded Cauliflower Salad is a flavorful and hearty side dish featuring roasted cauliflower tossed with crisp radishes, celery, sharp cheddar, green onions, and smoky bacon. The salad is dressed with a tangy, creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet relish, mustard, and apple cider vinegar, making it a perfect make-ahead dish that can be chilled for enhanced flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 head cauliflower (cut into bite-sized pieces, about 8 cups)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup sliced radishes
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- 4 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons sweet relish
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (or dijon mustard)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the cauliflower.
- Roast the cauliflower: Toss the cauliflower pieces with olive oil, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Spread them out on a sheet pan and roast for 15 to 20 minutes until the cauliflower is tender-crisp and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet relish, mustard, apple cider vinegar, and season with salt and black pepper to taste until smooth and well combined.
- Combine the salad: In a large bowl, place the cooled roasted cauliflower along with sliced radishes, diced celery, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and crumbled bacon. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and toss gently until everything is coated evenly.
- Chill before serving: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld perfectly for the best taste experience. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or substitute with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon.
- Make sure the cauliflower is completely cooled before adding the dressing to prevent it from becoming watery.
- This salad can be made up to a day in advance and kept refrigerated.
- Feel free to add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill for added freshness.
- If you want a lighter dressing, reduce mayonnaise or swap sour cream with Greek yogurt.
Keywords: cauliflower salad, roasted cauliflower, loaded salad, bacon salad, summer salad, low carb salad
Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/loaded-cauliflower-salad-recipe/
