Keto Cauliflower and Green Pea Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing

This keto cauliflower pea salad is delicious, creamy, and pairs beautifully with a wide variety of mains. It’s bright, crunchy, and simple to make—perfect for weeknight meals, barbecues, potlucks, and special occasions.

Every time I serve this salad I get recipe requests. The mix of tender peas, crisp cauliflower, salty bacon, sharp cheddar, and a creamy tangy dressing hits the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Using frozen peas keeps prep easy—just thaw and add. Half a cup of peas is only about 8 net grams of carbs and provides fiber, so in moderation they work well on a low-carb or keto plan.

About the peas

Frozen peas are partially cooked and only need to be thawed for this salad. They bring sweetness, color, and a pleasant bite. Peas can be eaten raw, gently blanched, or fully cooked; for convenience and consistency in texture, thawed frozen peas work best here. They’re easy to add to casseroles, soups, and salads when you want a quick boost of vegetable nutrition.

Other ingredients and variations

This salad combines chopped cauliflower, diced red onion, crumbled bacon, and cubed cheddar with the peas. Cauliflower adds bulk and a satisfying crunch; I roughly chop mine into small pieces for texture. Red onion contributes color and sharpness, though white or yellow onions work fine if you prefer a milder bite. Cheddar can be mild, medium, or sharp based on taste. If you’d like to swap cheeses, try Colby, Gouda, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, provolone, or Swiss.

The dressing is a simple creamy mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, a granulated sugar substitute, salt, and pepper. It’s easy to whisk together and can be adjusted—add a bit more sweetener, salt, or pepper to suit your preference. The dressing coats the vegetables and keeps the salad luscious without overpowering the other flavors.

Serving suggestions

This keto cauliflower pea salad is versatile. Serve it alongside grilled meats (beef, chicken, pork), seafood, or with burgers and brats. It’s a lovely side for pulled chicken or pulled pork-style dishes and complements roasted or pan-seared steaks and roasts. It also works well in lettuce wraps or as part of a low-carb picnic spread.

Keto chicken pairings

This salad pairs particularly well with simple baked tenders, seasoned drumsticks, roasted whole chicken, or pan-roasted thighs. The creamy, cool salad contrasts nicely with warm, savory chicken dishes.

Helpful hints

You can taste and adjust the dressing before combining with the salad—add more sweetener, salt, or pepper if needed. Serve the salad right away, or make it up to a couple of days in advance and refrigerate; flavors meld nicely with time.

Main kitchen equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

Recipe