If you're looking for a fresh and healthy side dish that's perfect for any meal, this Best Low Carb Broccoli Salad is a must-try! Packed with crunchy broccoli, savory bacon, and a tangy dressing, this salad is both satisfying and low in carbs.
As someone managing diabetes and eating low carb after bariatric surgery, I’m always on the hunt for veggie-packed sides that are blood-sugar friendly and actually taste amazing. Broccoli is one of the best low carb veggies out there—loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and that satisfying crunch.
This low carb broccoli salad is my go-to when I want something fresh, creamy, and totally crave-worthy. It’s right up there with my Keto Tuna Salad with Apple and Pumpkin Seeds and Avocado Salad for easy, healthy wins.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Low-carb & high-flavor: Every bite is fresh, salty, tangy, and a little creamy.
- No cooking required: Toss it together in minutes—perfect for busy days.
- Meal prep friendly: Keeps well in the fridge and even gets better with time.
🥦 Health Snapshot: Broccoli is low on the glycemic index and rich in sulforaphane, which studies show may help regulate blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance. Perfect if you’re managing diabetes, eating post-bariatric, or simply cutting carbs for metabolic health (source).
⭐ Star Ingredients
Ready to try this easy broccoli salad recipe? Here's the star ingredients:
- Broccoli – Raw, chopped florets give this salad its signature crunch and fiber boost. Go fresh, not frozen—trust me.
- Artichoke hearts – Salty, briny, and underrated. They balance out the rich dressing perfectly.
- Sunflower seeds – These little guys bring the crunch! You could also try pepitas if you’ve got them.
- Greek yogurt – Makes the dressing creamy without mayo overload. Plus, hello protein!
- Lemon zest & juice – Brightens everything up and keeps the salad feeling fresh—not heavy.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Use vegan bacon or tempeh bits for a plant-based crunch.
- Sub Greek yogurt with sour cream or avocado for a different creamy base.
- No sunflower seeds? Try slivered almonds, chopped pecans, or even toasted sesame seeds.
- Toss in dried cranberries for a pop of tangy sweetness (if you’re not strict keto).
- Add shredded cheddar for a classic broccoli bacon salad twist.
- Skip the artichokes and go for roasted red peppers for a smoky hit.
Try a global twist:
- Make it a Greek-style broccoli salad with feta cheese, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes—a bold, briny combo that pops.
- Craving something brighter? Go Mediterranean with roasted chickpeas, chopped cucumber, and parsley.
- For a crunchy, zippy version, try an Asian broccoli slaw with carrots, sesame seeds, and a ginger-soy vinaigrette.
If you're into big flavor bowls, check out my Four Bean Salad, Panzanella with Mozzarella, or Octopus Salad With Baby Spinach for more international inspo!
🔪 How To Make Low Carb Broccoli Salad
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, mix broccoli, artichokes, tomatoes, onions, olives cut in half, and sunflower seeds.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the dressing.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over vegetables.
- Step 4: Serve and enjoy.
💡Hint: Want your broccoli a little softer but still crunchy? Blanch it for 30 seconds in boiling water, then plunge into ice water before mixing.
🥗 Extra Crunch Guide: How to Keep Your Broccoli Salad Crisp & Fresh
Crunch is everything in a good broccoli salad—and nothing’s worse than soggy seeds or wilting veggies. Here’s your go-to guide to help keep every bite fresh, crisp, and full of texture.
| Crunch Component | How to Keep It Crisp |
|---|---|
| Sunflower seeds | Store separately and add just before serving. |
| Nuts (almonds, pecans) | Keep in a dry container; toast if needed before serving. |
| Broccoli | Use fresh or blanch 30–60 sec, then ice bath for snap. |
| Dressing | Store separately and mix in just before serving. |
| Red onions | Soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow and firm up. |
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Prep your broccoli right: If raw feels too crunchy, give it a super quick blanch. It softens the texture without losing the bite.
- Keep it crisp: Add seeds and nuts right before serving so they stay crunchy and don’t soak up dressing.
- Don’t skip the zest: Lemon zest adds brightness that really lifts the whole salad. It’s a little step with big payoff.
💭 FAQs
Yes, absolutely! For best texture, store the dressing separately and mix it in just before serving. If you're using nuts or seeds, keep those out until the last minute so they stay nice and crunchy.
If you want to make this salad more filling, consider adding a protein punch! Try grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, bacon bits, or even leftover turkey. They keep it low carb and make it meal-worthy.
Sort of—if you blanch the broccoli first and freeze it plain, it works well. But I don’t recommend freezing the full salad once dressed, as the creamy elements and raw veggies don’t thaw nicely.
Yes! This salad is packed with fiber-rich broccoli, low in sugar, and has a healthy fat boost from the dressing—ideal for blood sugar balance and post-bariatric eating.
💖 Serving Suggestions
Here’s how we love to serve this healthy broccoli salad:
- With Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings for an easy low-carb dinner.
- Alongside Eggplant Lasagna Rolls or Caprese Mini Pizzas
- As a bright side for Air Fried Salmon Fillets or Instant Pot Pesto Chicken.
- Piled into lettuce cups for a light lunch.
- In a wrap with Beet Hummus and Roasted Veggies if you’re feeling fusion-y.
- Scooped on top of a Air Fryer Sweet Potato (for a not-so-low-carb twist!)
🍽 More Recipes Using Broccoli
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Low Carb Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Broccoli Florets
- ⅓ Cup Artichoke Hearts Chopped
- ⅓ Cup Dried Tomatoes
- ⅓ Cup Red Onion Chopped
- ⅓ Cup Black Olives
- ¼ Cup Sunflower Seeds
- 1 ½ Cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 Whole Lemon juice and zest
- 3 teaspoon Sweetener
- 1 ½ Orgeano Oregano
- 1 tbs Chopped Garlic
- 1 tbs Dried Basil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix broccoli, artichokes, tomatoes, onions, olives cut in half, and sunflower seeds.
- In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the dressing.
- Pour dressing over vegetables. Serve.
Notes
- Prep your broccoli right: If raw feels too crunchy, give it a super quick blanch. It softens the texture without losing the bite.
- Keep it crisp: Add seeds and nuts right before serving so they stay crunchy and don’t soak up dressing.
- Don’t skip the zest: Lemon zest adds brightness that really lifts the whole salad. It’s a little step with big payoff.
This salad is a flavor-packed delight! The combination of crunchy broccoli, savory bacon, and creamy dressing makes it a perfect low-carb side dish.