BLT Cauliflower Salad (Printable)

Roasted cauliflower meets classic BLT flavors in this creamy, satisfying bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
02 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
04 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Meat

05 - 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

→ Dairy

06 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream
08 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

→ Herbs & Spices

10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Optional

13 - 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
02 - Spread cauliflower florets on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and black pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and tender, stirring halfway through cooking time. Allow to cool before assembling salad.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
04 - Add roasted cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, green onions, crumbled bacon, and cheddar cheese (if using) to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms humble cauliflower into something crave-worthy and substantial
  • The combination of warm roasted florets and cool crisp vegetables creates perfect texture contrast
  • You get all the BLT satisfaction without the heavy bread coma
02 -
  • Let the cauliflower cool completely before tossing or it will wilt the lettuce and make everything soggy
  • The salad is best within a few hours but keeps well in the fridge for a day if you add fresh lettuce before serving
  • Crispy bacon is non-negotiable here since soft bacon gets lost in the creamy dressing
03 -
  • Roast extra cauliflower whenever you have the oven on and store it in the fridge for quick weeknight assembly
  • The dressing works beautifully as a dip for raw vegetables if you have leftovers

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