This healthier gluten free potato salad is perfect for picnics and barbecues. Replacing potato with cauliflower is a trick that I learned from the “low-carbers.” And it is a good one!
In the winter, I often make mashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes. Now, in spring, it is wonderful to have this no potato salad made from cauliflower. We’ll be having it tonight with grilled turkey burgers and green salad from our garden.
Serves:4
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (about 3-4 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
- 2 large eggs, hard boiled and diced
- 2 tablespoons primal kitchen mayo
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
Instructions
- Chop cauliflower into small florets (½ inch)
- Steam cauliflower on the stove until fork-tender, not more or a stronger "cauliflower" smell develops
- Allow cauliflower to cool then place in a large bowl
- Add celery, onion, parsley and egg
- Stir in mayonnaise, mustard and salt
- Serve
Several people have contacted me recently about elana’s pantry shopping bags and other merchandise. If that is something you are looking for you can purchase it at cafepress.com/elanaspantry.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Jeannette says
Hello Elena,
I haven’t tried this salad but I will this weekend. How long will it keep in the fridge?
Elana says
Jeannette, around 2-3 days :-)
Lise Girard says
This is very good, thank you!
Elana says
Thanks Lise! So glad to hear this was very good!
Brenda/ Seamaiden says
This was divine, Elana! Every single member of our family, including in-laws, loved it. My husband, who prefers his cauliflower raw (ick) had several helpings, the three year old was enthused because of the egg salad flavor, and the seven year old wanted multiple helpings. We practically licked the plate. Love it, especially since I’m eating low-carb this year. Thank you! I did simplify with no onion (pregnancy heartburn), no parsley, and no celery (hate the stuff). I meant to dice green pepper instead for the crispy green crunch but forgot. Lovely recipe! I used Sir Kensington mayonnaise since we love the flavor and are not strictly paleo. Yum yum.
Elana says
Brenda, it’s so great to hear from you! Glad this was divine :-)
Janell says
The B-O-M-B. This recipe has everything. Easy, delicious, comfort-food quality, 100% healthy. Our newest household staple. Thank you SO much.
Deep bow,
Janell
Elana says
Thanks Janell, glad to hear this is the B-O-M-B :-)
Kath says
I made this last night but used a few favorite ingredients from my potato salad (like a bit of dill pickle brine), and it was just amazing! I was expecting my husband to be not so enthusiastic, but he does like cauliflower and he loved it! Thanks for the great recipe!
Elana says
You’re welcome Kath! So glad you and your husband loved this salad!
Gergana Ivanova says
What a great salad!! I just made it and love the taste. I am not a vegetarian but have a family of vegetarian friends and always try to come up with a nice meal when they come visit. I am sure they will love this salad!
Larisa says
Elana, thank you so much. Lovely salad.
julie says
This looks soooo yummy! BUT I cannot have soy and its in the veganaise. Does anyone have a suggestion for a sub?
Thanks!
pennie says
veganaise has a mayo without soy – I can not have soy and found this at central market (like whole foods) in Austin, Tx . I’ll bet whole foods has it also.
Hope you find it.
Thomas says
Veganaise does make a soy-free version. I found it at my local Sprouts grocery store.
Celia says
I cannot consume soy, corn, egg, so mayo is out in any form. I found a recipe by Wardee Harmon ( http://gnowfglins.com/2009/07/29/probiotic-potato-salad/ ) that I really like, it uses yogurt or kefir cheese as the base. I’ve made it with potatoes, but I will use this recipe with cauliflower soon, I’m sure it will be great.
Kelly says
Making your own Mayo is so easy to make I’ve been making my own for over 2 years now
anthea says
sunflower mayonnaisea
Jacqui says
Oops! I wish I would have seen this recipe earlier this summer! I love potato salad, but using cauliflower sure eases any guilt. I have a head of cauliflower in the fridge — I’ll try the recipe tomorrow!
Ericanortman says
Love this recipe!
Fiona says
Delicious!! I made this yesterday and loved it. My husband, who at first scoffed at the idea of a ‘no potato’ potato salad, also loved it. All the ingredients work very well together. The only change I made was to use regular mayo but other than that I did everything as directed and I will definitely be making this recipe again. Thank you, Elana!
KarenW says
This is now on my 4th of July menu!
TeeDee says
I made this recipe using my own homemade mayo and two more hard-boiled eggs and hubby loved it (I did too, but I was most concerned about him liking it since he was a potato salad freak! :) Now, he prefers this by a mile, so thanks a million for sharing, Elana…
Mollie says
OOH I can not wait to try this as spring approaches. It would also be great with shrimp salad, egg salad, tuna salad…you get the idea. I’m definitely on the smashed cauliflower band wagon, but have yet to branch out. Thanks for the great ideas!
bob says
Thank you for this recipe. I was craving potato salad for so long after I found out I could’t eat potatoes anymore. Never thought of subbing cauliflower!
Samantha West says
This is a wonderful recipe – thank you! I use cauliflower in place of everything starch and don’t miss potatoes, pasta or rice.
Kirsten says
Me and my mom are planning on making this with our dinner. Thank you for posting this.
larry ziegler says
about how much does “one head of cauliflower” weigh?
Lea says
I’m not sure about the weight of a head of cauliflower, but I’ve found that using a 16 oz bag of (frozen) cauliflower floweretts works perfectly for this recipe.
Sylvia Wildflower Smiles says
didn’t turn out quite like i had hoped. i followed all the directions right. I used a white onion and chopped it up in the food processor. It came out super bitter and a gassy aftertaste. i think maybe my onion released too much juice in the food processor and took over the salad flavor. maybe it was the kind of onion i used also. I fixed it with lemon juice, more salt, and a tablespoon of watered down agave…
Jennifer says
I made this dish for my women’s small group luncheon today, and it was a hit. Thank you!
~M says
Hi Elana,
I’d like to hear the specifics on your cauliflower faux mashed potatoes. I actually once made a batch to encourage my husband to eat some cauliflower, and he liked it, but I didn’t (I prefer raw cauliflower). Still, I think with the right seasonings, we both might be happy!
It’s not too early to say Shana Tova, is it? I’m already browsing for RH recipes. :)
kmatthys says
I, too, would love to know the mash cauliflower recipe. I’m intrigued! It’s not in the cookbook… or if it is, I couldn’t find it. Thanks!
Sharla says
Elana….you are a genius! This is so delicious and healthy…thank you for another wonderful recipe!
elana says
Thanks Sharla!
Elana says
Great idea Tamara! Thanks so much for your comment.
Tamara says
Why not make your own mayonnaise? The grapeseed veganaise has brown rice syrup in it, it isn’t grain free.
elana says
Heather -You are very welcome.
Kimi -That sounds delicious; funny enough, I have a cauliflower in the fridge waiting to be made into a healthier rice myself!
Meagan -You’re welcome, hope you and your daughter enjoy.
Meghan -Yup, much lighter :-)
LK -Yes, it’s great for those summer gatherings!
Alchemille -Hope you are well, my dear!
Kristin -That sounds so delicious.
Tracy -Let us know how you like it :-)
Rachel C -You’re welcome.
Shirley -Hope you are well :-)
Jess -Happy Graduation!
Peggy -Dear, dear, dear Peggy. Thank you for your lovely comment, it is so sweet. I bet this salad would work with raw cauliflower :-)
Eve -Just click on the link :-)
Elizabeth -You are so welcome.
Jessica -Yup, I did, thanks for noticing :-)
Brenda -Oh, I do hope you enjoy my book!
Jodye -Thanks!
Luci -Hee hee.
Jamie -Thanks, that sounds delicious.
Paige -So nice to hear from you; I tried to contact you on facebook, did you get my message? Either way, hope you are well and loving upstate NY!
Paige Orloff says
I love this idea. I have been on a cauliflower binge lately, using it in curries, mostly, and in a chickpea flour flatbread (yum) but this is just totally inspired. I will absolutely be making this this summer, but since I do eat eggs (and get them fresh from my own chickens) I’ll make it with a homemade garlic mayo. Delicious. As always Elana, your site is just full of the most wonderful and beautiful recipes…
Jamie says
Just made this recipe as a side to our dinner of salmon and roasted asparagus and I keep eating it!! I have to restrain myself and save some for dinner. Very good Elana! Thanks for such a great recipe, and one that I was craving and didn’t even know it (since I don’t eat white potatoes anymore). De-lish!
Luci says
Elana, thank you for the source, Organic Direct! It’s right here in my city! The recipe looks great, too – I love cauliflower. Thank you!! ….now where’s my wallet?
Jodye says
This looks delightful! Certainly a lovely alternative to the heavier potato salad
Brenda says
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I have pre-ordered your book
and look forward to receiving it.
Jessica says
Brilliant idea!
And you even linked to the grapeseed oil vegenaise!
thanks!
Elizabeth says
Absolutely brilliant. I cannot wait to try this (replacing the eggs with extra firm tofu). Thank you, Elana!
Eve says
This sounds yummy, Where do we find grapeseed ol veganaisse?
Eve
Peggy Matthews says
Elana, I am one of possibly hundreds of visitors to your site who take freely from your efforts and enjoy the fruits of your labors without ever declaring ourselves to you with comments or posts or emails…it’s been many, many months now that I’ve enjoyed your recipes and blogs and I just wanted to let you know that I never let a new email from you go unopened, in spite of the copious number of emails I receive. I am a raw food enthusiast, so whenever your recipes are mostly raw I copy and save them for future occasions. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us. I marvel at how you can possibly find enough hours in the day to do all that you do!
Jess says
fantastic!! i’ve been craaaving potato salad and this will hit the spot. do think i’ll just make my own mayo to keep it sugarless and low-budget rather than buy the vegannaise. i’m going to make this for my graduation party this weekend- my family has been struggling trying to figure out how to cook for the group and still satisfy my candida-diet. :) this will go well with my bunless burger heh.
gfe-gluten free easily says
I like potatoes, but have never really liked potato salad. I’ll try this version, Elana. Thanks!
Shirley
Rachel C says
Oooh! Yummy! I miss potato salad, I will try this instead! Thank you!! :)
Tracy Haughton says
Yum! I’ll be making this soon.
Kristin says
A friend recently brought over a “potato” salad that subbed diced, raw jicama for the potatoes! It was great – very light and fresh. This sounds good too! Thanks,
Kristin
Alchemille says
I’m very much into cauliflower lately.
I’ll surely give this recipe a try ;).
LK- healthy delicious says
I’ve done cauliflower mash before, but I never thought to use it in a salad! this looks really good and so much lighter than potatoes. I’ll have to keep it in mind this summer.
Meghan (Making Love In The Kitchen says
Cauliflower instead of potato is my fave substitution. This looks great and would be so much lighter than the regular.
Meagan says
OMG! I was craving potato salad yesterday, but haven’t made it since my daughter’s diagnosis. This is genius! I think I will make this tonight =) Thank you again! Meagan
Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet says
Lovely idea. I have relatives that are sensitive to potatoes, so this recipe would fit the bill for them! I’ve also grated cauliflower and pan fried it with a little ghee and salt for a delicious “fried rice”. It’s soooo good.
Heather @CeliacFamily says
This looks great. I love potato salad, but I think I’ll try this next time for a little variety. Thanks.
Nancy Columbus says
I’ve swapped out the eggs for tuna and had it for lunch …love it