Keto Broccoli Salad is a low carb, sugar free, and hearty salad! Fresh broccoli, tangy dressing, savory bacon, and sunflower crunch. The perfect recipe for a filling lunch, healthy side, or crowd-pleasing potluck dish (no one would even guess it’s dairy free, sugar free, and Keto!)

top view of broccoli salad with wooden spoon in white bowl on a dark surface next to a white cloth and purple flowers

75 HARD

Over the summer, I completed the 75 Hard Program! It’s an intense seventy-five day mental toughness program.

It was definitely difficult, but physically, mentally, and emotionally life changing! I just posted about My 75 Hard Journey. I share all the details, including the books I read and some products that helped me.

The diet I chose for 75 Hard was sugar free–no sugar, junk food, candy, etc. Read my 75 Hard post to learn more about my diet choice and tips.

I made this Keto broccoli salad often throughout my sugar free summer. It was healthy and satisfying! Unlike traditional broccoli salad, this recipe is sugar free. I sweeten the dressing with monk fruit extract.

Serve this Keto broccoli salad recipe with bacon with my Air Fryer Steak or Instant Pot Chicken Legs and a Loaded Air Fryer Baked Potato! Yum.

I’m excited to share this low carb Keto salad! But first, let me answer a few frequently asked questions about the ingredients.

IS MAYO KETO?

Mayo is made with a few, simple ingredients: eggs, salt, mustard, oil, and lemon juice or vinegar. It is made by emulsification, or rapidly whisking together ingredients that don’t normally mix.

Mayonnaise is keto-friendly as long as it doesn’t have added sweetener, carbohydrates, or other fillers. Closely check the ingredients and label.

I usually use Hellmans or Avocado Mayo (I actually like using a mix of the two!).

Mayo is an excellent condiment for the Keto diet because it’s high fat, low protein, and no carbohydrates.

broccoli salad ingredients placed in glass bowls on a white cloth on a dark table

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAYONNAISE AND MIRACLE WHIP?

Mayonnaise is simply emulsified eggs, oil, and acid (vinegar or lemon juice). It has a tangy, rich flavor. It’s used as a spread, in dips, and to bind together ingredients.

Miracle whip serves a similar purpose as mayonnaise, but it has a unique flavor. It’s sweet because it contains added sugar and spices.

You may use either spread for this recipe, but I prefer mayonnaise. Keep in mind that Miracle whip would make this broccoli salad not sugar free and low carb.

close up of broccoli salad in a small glass serving cup with fork inside on a white plate next two purple flowers with bowl of broccoli salad in background

WHAT’S THE BEST ALTERNATIVE SWEETENER?

I had gestational diabetes with both my pregnancies. This gave me great experience cooking with alternative sweeteners.

My two favorite alternative sweeteners are Monk Fruit and Erythritol. I use a blend of both for my low carb broccoli salad without sugar (purchased at Costco).

Monk fruit is an actual fruit native to Southeast Asia. It is used to make a natural sweetener called monk fruit extract. Monk fruit sweetener is carb and calorie free. It’s also known to support blood sugar management.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in many foods and is typically made from the simple sugars in corn. It’s another popular, calorie-free sugar substitute.

close up of broccoli salad in a large white serving bowl

HOW TO MAKE KETO BROCCOLI SALAD WITH BACON

This Keto friendly broccoli salad recipe is really simple! It’s the perfect keto side dish, or even makes a great main dish for lunch. I like to have mine with grilled chicken for a healthy meal!

In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweetener, and apple cider vinegar. Sample and add additional sweetener to taste, if desired.
Add the onion, nuts, bacon, and broccoli. Mix together to coat.

For convenience, I use pre-cooked, crumbled bacon. I purchase this in a bag at Costco or Sam’s Club. It’s more cost-effective and convenient than buying bacon and frying it (though I do think freshly fried thick cut bacon is the best!!)

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Toss all the ingredients together again right before serving to redistribute the sauce.

I know you’ll love this Keto broccoli slaw! Keto broccoli salad with apple cider vinegar makes a delicious, tangy dressing. It’s lightly sweet, while the bacon adds a savory note. Can’t forget that delightful sunflower crunch!