This Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cranberries is healthy and easy side dish salad that you can feel good about serving your family! Just a bit of bacon keeps it low in calories but still delicious!
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Why I'm Cooking From Cooking Light
Some of you may have noticed that I've been using a lot of Cooking Light Recipes lately. Like these Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins or these Apple Streusel Muffins.
A few months ago, we were having a garage sale, when Mr. Sidewalk Shoes ever-so-gently suggested that maybe I could part with some of 200+ cookbooks. I doubted it, but went to check my bookcases to just appease him. I saw my shelf of Cooking Light Annuals dating back to 1997. I didn't have all the years, but I had quite a few.
I sat down and started looking through them. I was impressed. A lot of recipes sounded good. There was also the fact that ever since turning 40 or so, the weight was very slowly creeping on. Now, at 60, I would be happy to lose about 10-15 pounds.
I bookmarked several recipes and we started eating mostly Cooking Light Recipes, including the muffins mentioned above. The weight started slowly creeping off, without feeling any kind of restriction. As a matter of fact, we were having dessert every day (a muffin) and I was still losing weight. I have lost 6 pounds and am super pleased with what we are eating.
Besides following the recipes on this blog, like this healthy, easy broccoli salad, you can also follow my Cooking Light Pinterest Board.
Do You Have to Cook Broccoli for a Broccoli Salad?
Some broccoli salads call for the broccoli to be cooked. Some cooked completely and some quickly steamed or blanched. This Broccoli Salad doesn't call for the broccoli to be cooked, making it extra easy. You do need to cook the bacon, but I just did mine in the oven on a rack on a cookie sheet at 400 for 15 minutes. Easy peasy.
This broccoli salad also calls for red onions and it has you soak them in water first. That's a great idea. An even better idea is to use my Quick Pickled Onions. I always have a jar of these in the refrigerator to use anytime a recipe calls for raw onions and they are also great on salads, sandwiches and pizzas!
The other thing to note is that this salad was even better the next day, making it the perfect make ahead salad!
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cranberries
This salad is so good!! There is just the right amount of bacon. Dried cranberries give it a little bit of tartness and the almonds add some crunch. I love that the dressing is a mix of yogurt and mayo!
This can easily be a year round salad. I can see it accompanying grilled chicken in the summer and roasted chicken in the winter. It's also great in a lunch especially with a chilled lunch bag like this cute Pink Lunch Bag.
You might also like these other broccoli salads:
This Broccoli Quinoa Grain Salad is really basic formula for making any kind of grain salad that you would like!
This Honey Mustard Broccoli Salad is a favorite with apples and sunflower seeds!
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cranberries
Ingredients
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise canola oil
- 3 tablespoons Greek Yogurt 2% reduced fat
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups broccoli florets coarsely chopped
- ⅓ cup almonds slivered, toasted
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries reduced-sugar
- 4 slices bacon center cut, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Soak the red onion in cold water for 5 minutes and then drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the mayo, yogurt, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Stir in the broccoli, almonds, cranberries and bacon.
- Cover and chill for one hour before serving.
Lynn says
great recipe..going to try with yogurt dressing. For a quick dressing I use Marzetti's Poppy seed dressing for this salad. It is delicious that way too.. easy peasy!
Mary // Chattavore says
Broccoli salad is one of my favorites, and I always make mine with cranberries too because I really dislike raisins! This one looks great.
Pam Greer says
One of my favorites too!
Sandi says
This would be a perfect salad for a picnic or social. Love the different ingredients.
Pam Greer says
Yes, it would be so good!
Amanda says
Oh, this sounds so fun and festive! I love the cranberry addition for that contrast in texture. I'll definitely have to give this a try!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Annissa says
I love broccoli and bacon together! This would be perfect for a picnic!
Pam Greer says
Yes, it would be!
Stephanie says
I'm a big fan of broccoli salad and this one looks great. Never thought to add cranberries but it sounds like a wonderful addition.
Pam Greer says
It is a great addition!
camila says
what a delicious salad!! I love broccoli salad!
Pam Greer says
Me too!