When you think of breakfast, maybe eggs and bacon come to mind first. But what if we switch things up with a hearty, healthy salad that’s creamy, savory, packed with fats, and low on carbs? Meet the Keto Avocado & Cheddar Breakfast Salad—a breakfast game-changer!
In this recipe, we’re loading up on creamy avocado, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh greens, and more keto-friendly goodies that won’t just fill you up but keep you powered through your morning. This one’s for everyone who’s ready for a little breakfast rebellion and wants something refreshing yet satisfying.
Why Start Your Day with a Breakfast Salad?
Salads for breakfast are underrated! They offer a fresh mix of flavors, texture, and plenty of nutrients that can sometimes get overlooked in your typical high-carb morning meals. On the keto diet, starting your day with healthy fats, a dose of protein, and a variety of vitamins is exactly what you want to keep your body in fat-burning mode.
Plus, this recipe is loaded with healthy fats from avocado and olive oil, plus protein from eggs and cheddar—all of which help keep hunger at bay until your next meal.
What Makes This Keto Avocado & Cheddar Salad So Special?
- Healthy Fats – Avocado and olive oil are two major sources of healthy fats that are perfect for keto.
- Satiating Protein – Hard-boiled eggs and cheddar cheese provide the protein to balance out the fats.
- Crunchy Freshness – Crisp veggies give this salad a fresh crunch to wake up your taste buds.
- Flavor-Packed – With a zesty lemon dressing, this salad bursts with flavor without needing carbs.
This recipe is perfect for meal-prepping too! Prepare your ingredients the night before, and you can toss everything together in less than five minutes the next morning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this salad, most of the ingredients are probably already in your keto-friendly pantry or fridge. Here’s what you’ll need:
Salad Base:
- 2 cups mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, or a spring mix work well)
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- ½ cup shredded or cubed cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar is great for flavor)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced or quartered
- 4-6 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional, for added color and flavor)
- 2 slices of cooked bacon, chopped (optional, for extra crunch and protein)
Dressing:
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar for a bit more tang)
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for a subtle kick)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of garlic powder (optional but recommended for flavor)
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill for extra flavor)
- A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning (for an extra crunch and added flavor)
Step-By-Step Directions for Making Your Keto Breakfast Salad
This recipe couldn’t be simpler, which is a big win if you’re a morning zombie like the rest of us. Ready in under 10 minutes!
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by prepping everything ahead. Wash your greens, halve the cherry tomatoes, cube or shred your cheese, and slice your avocado and hard-boiled eggs. Make sure your bacon is cooked and chopped up if you’re adding it in.
Pro tip: Slice the avocado right before serving to avoid browning. Or, squeeze a little lemon juice on the slices to keep them fresh longer.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar), Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well-combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
This dressing is tangy and light, balancing perfectly with the creaminess of the avocado and richness of the cheddar.
Step 3: Toss the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed greens, avocado, cheddar, cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and bacon (if using). Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until it’s evenly coated. Be gentle to avoid smashing the avocado!
Step 4: Plate and Top
Transfer your tossed salad to a plate or bowl and sprinkle any desired toppings like fresh herbs or everything bagel seasoning.
And that’s it! Your Keto Avocado & Cheddar Breakfast Salad is ready to be devoured.
How to Customize Your Keto Breakfast Salad
This salad is highly customizable, so feel free to make it your own! Here are a few ways to mix things up:
- Add some spice: If you like a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes or add a few drops of hot sauce to the dressing.
- Switch up the cheese: Try crumbled feta or goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Throw in extra greens: Kale, romaine, or shredded cabbage can be added for extra crunch and fiber.
- Try smoked salmon: If you’re not into bacon, smoked salmon makes a delicious and keto-friendly alternative.
- Add nuts or seeds: Pumpkin seeds or crushed walnuts add crunch without too many carbs.
Nutritional Breakdown
Here’s a rough estimate of the nutrition per serving (recipe serves 2):
- Calories: ~450-500 kcal
- Fat: ~40-45g
- Protein: ~15g
- Net Carbs: ~5-7g (depending on optional ingredients)
These numbers will vary a bit based on the exact ingredients you use, but overall, this salad is perfect for keto with its low carbs, high fat, and moderate protein.
Why This Salad Keeps You in Ketosis
Every ingredient in this salad is keto-approved, with each component chosen to help maintain ketosis and keep your energy steady. Here’s a quick rundown of the keto-friendly benefits of each main ingredient:
- Avocado: Packed with monounsaturated fats, fiber, and potassium, avocados are a superstar keto ingredient.
- Cheddar Cheese: High in fat, low in carbs, and full of calcium and protein, cheddar is perfect for keto diets.
- Eggs: A great source of high-quality protein and healthy fats, eggs add substance to the salad without spiking insulin.
- Olive Oil: One of the healthiest fats, olive oil provides oleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties and supports heart health.
- Greens: Leafy greens are very low in carbs and provide vitamins A, C, K, and folate, adding valuable nutrients without kicking you out of ketosis.
Make-Ahead Tips for Busy Mornings
Want to prep ahead? Here’s how you can have this breakfast salad ready in a snap:
- Boil Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs keep in the fridge for up to a week, so boil a batch on Sunday to last you through the week.
- Prep the Dressing: Make a jar of dressing and keep it in the fridge; it’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
- Wash & Dry Greens: Pre-wash your greens, dry them thoroughly, and store them in a salad spinner or airtight container to keep them fresh.
- Slice Cheese and Tomatoes: You can pre-slice your cheddar and tomatoes the night before.
When you’re ready to eat, just assemble everything, add avocado, and drizzle with dressing. Less than five minutes to a beautiful, filling breakfast!
Conclusion: Why This Keto Breakfast Salad Deserves a Spot in Your Routine
Forget boring breakfast routines and give this Keto Avocado & Cheddar Breakfast Salad a try. It’s a fresh, satisfying, and low-carb way to fuel your day while sticking to your keto goals. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week, looking for a quick weekday breakfast, or just need a change from eggs and bacon, this salad has you covered.
And hey, if you’re a fan of this recipe, go ahead and share it! It’s not every day you find a salad that’s this breakfast-worthy.
PrintKeto Avocado & Cheddar Breakfast Salad
A fresh, filling, and keto-friendly breakfast salad featuring creamy avocado, sharp cheddar, protein-packed eggs, and crisp greens with a zesty lemon dressing. This low-carb, high-fat salad is a great way to start your day and is perfect for meal prep!
- Author: Jane Summerfield
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American, Keto, Low-Carb
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- ½ cup shredded or cubed cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced or quartered
- 4–6 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 2 slices of cooked bacon, chopped (optional)
Dressing:
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of garlic powder (optional)
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill)
- A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Wash and dry greens, dice the avocado, cube or shred cheddar, and slice hard-boiled eggs. Halve cherry tomatoes if using and chop bacon if adding.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until combined.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine greens, avocado, cheddar, tomatoes, eggs, and bacon. Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat.
- Serve: Plate and add any desired toppings. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- For meal prep, store dressing separately and add avocado and dressing just before serving to keep it fresh.
- Substitute bacon with smoked salmon or add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added flavor.
Please note: The recipe or ingredients shown in the video might vary slightly from what’s listed here. Use the video as an illustration, but for the best results, stick to the recipe provided in this article.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this salad the night before?
Yes! You can prep everything except the avocado and dressing. Keep the dressing in a separate container to avoid soggy greens. Add the avocado and toss with the dressing in the morning for maximum freshness.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
If you have leftover salad, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Add a squeeze of lemon to the avocado to help keep it fresh, and avoid adding the dressing until you’re ready to eat.
Can I eat this salad for other meals?
Absolutely! This salad isn’t just for breakfast—it’s great for lunch or a light dinner, too. Pair it with a keto soup or a slice of low-carb bread for a more substantial meal.