Broccoli-Bacon Salad

Rating: 4.56 stars
39 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 28
  • 4 star values: 7
  • 3 star values: 2
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 0

A picnic favorite, this salad combines broccoli, water chestnuts, cranberries and just a little bacon for delicious results. Our version has plenty of creaminess without all the fat. Make it once and it will become a regular on your backyard barbecue menu. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2009

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Ingredients

Directions

  • Whisk garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar and sugar in a large bowl. Add broccoli, water chestnuts, bacon, cranberries and pepper; stir to coat with the dressing.

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Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Tip: Most supermarkets sell broccoli crowns, which are the tops of the bunches, with the stalks cut off. Although crowns are more expensive than entire bunches, they are convenient and there is considerably less waste.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 scant cup
Per Serving:
92 calories; 4.5 g total fat; 1.5 g saturated fat; 10 mg cholesterol; 160 mg sodium. 191 mg potassium; 10.8 g carbohydrates; 1.9 g fiber; 4 g sugar; 3.3 g protein; 1480 IU vitamin a iu; 44 mg vitamin c; 35 mcg folate; 36 mg calcium; 1 mg iron; 14 mg magnesium; 3 g added sugar;
Exchanges:

2 vegetable, 1 fat

Reviews (37)

Read More Reviews
39 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 28
  • 4 star values: 7
  • 3 star values: 2
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Maxine Campbell
Rating: 3 stars
05/11/2017
It's fine but why waste the stalks? That's the best bit of the broccoli Read More
kac1950@outlook.com
Rating: 5 stars
05/08/2017
I love this salad. I'm making a batch right now. I usually do about once every couple of weeks. My granddaughter brought to party last. year. In my version I also add about 1/2 cup apple diced up. I put cranberries in most things. I also add sun flower seeds before serving. I do use celery instead of water chestnuts only because I usually have celery on hand. Oh I almost forgot the grapes again about 6-7 grapes cut in thirds usually depending on size. Read More
Sclark101613
Rating: 4 stars
03/10/2017
Refreshing. No changes. We will make it again. Read More
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Cecelia Moritz
Rating: 5 stars
02/27/2017
No changes Loved it Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
06/12/2016
This salad was at a picnic I attended and it was delicious! I found myself trying to guess at some of the ingredients; so I decided to stand up and ask who made the broccoli and bacon salad? Turns out the person that made this delightfully healthy salad was sitting right behind me! The dried cranberries is a great combination with the broccoli and bacon providing just the right amount of sweetness. She was not only kind enough to share this recipe she told me where to find it! Thanks for publishing this great healthy recipe. I will be making it for my family soon! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
04/05/2016
Amazing! This was real food at its finest. Fresh tasting light and healthy. I'm keeping this in the fridge! Pros: Crsip and fresh tasting! Cons: None Read More
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dohughes61@yahoo.com
Rating: 5 stars
07/09/2014
Even anti-broccoli people liked this The first time I made this it was for a birthday party in June. I did not have water chestnuts so I used celery. Also I had Hormel Real Bacon Bits so I used that (bonus - less fat than regular cooked bacon). It was a big hit! So much so that I was asked to bring this to a Fourth of July picnic. For that batch I again used celery but added a little more bacon bits and cranberries. Everyone loved it! Pros: Tasty healthier flexible Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
06/15/2014
Yummy and Healthier Than Most My family really liked this salad the first time I made it. I omitted the sugar. I will make it again and may add chopped pecans. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
06/14/2014
Delicious pot luck salad I first made this broccoli salad to bring to a neighborhood barbecue. It was a hit. The second time I added more cranberry and bacon and made it the day before. Even better. This recipe is now one of my standard go-to side dishes for potlucks and barbecues. Read More
susmcqueen@gmail.com
Rating: 4 stars
07/04/2013
This Recipe is a Keeper! Made it for a work lunch. My co-workers tend to be hesitant to try my healthy recipes but this one got rave reviews! will make it again for sure! Nice that leftover salad Wed. was as good as when I first served it Tues.! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
07/15/2012
Delish! Really good salad - just as good if you omit the bacon. Also I left out water chestnuts one time (forgot to get them at the store) - added about 2 Tbsp of sunflower seeds and it was just as good (in my opinion). Pros: It's all good! Cons: Nothing negative at all! Read More
dlnadel
Rating: 5 stars
06/01/2012
OMG! I made this for a group we had at our vacation home for the weekend. I used turkey bacon and cranberry/walnut salad topper. It was a huge hit!! We loved it!! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 3 stars
05/20/2012
A healthier version of a classic This is a decent substitute for the unhealthy deli salad version. The dressing is a bit bland so I think I will adjust my seasonings a bit next time and I like the suggestion to sprinkle on a few sunflower seeds. (I left out the water chestnuts bc I don't care for them). I will make this again. Pros: Fast easy uses fresh veggies Cons: A bit bland Read More
Kaye Spaude
Rating: 2 stars
03/20/2012
Just OK I usually love the broccoli salads in the deli but this recipe lacked flavor and taste. The bacon did not help. I will not make again. Pros: healthy Cons: lacked flavor; maybe add some sunflower seeds for salt Read More
Tracy Burrow
Rating: 5 stars
10/31/2011
Very tasty and healthy. I made it a little easier and added store bought real bacon bits. I also added a handful of pumpkin seeds. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Yum! those pumpkin seeds sound good! im definitely gonna have to try this out ASAP.:) Read More
cnigler@yahoo.coom
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Fabulous!! I added cauliflower and reduced the broccoli a bit. With a smattering of shredded cheddar it tastes very much like a local eatery's delicious salad. I have made this a number of times and it is becoming one of my go to recipes! Read More
BurntRolls3
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This salad is incredible! Flat out...unbelievably good. I made it on a whim and accounted for all ingredients but substituted based on what I had on hand: Fat-free plain yogurt for sour cream a restaurant packet of regular mayonnaise turkey bacon garlic powder and a homegrown kohlrabi for the water chestnuts. Added 'just a dusting' of sea salt. Taste-tested a few bites - one with walnuts and one with raw almonds. Either one is perfect. One could even toss in a coarsely-grated carrot for even more color and crunch. This is obviously a flexible recipe which makes it that much better. Definitely one for the 'Favorites' book. No more slimey coleslaws for me! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Fantastic! My husband & I both loved this - definitely a make again. Chopped walnuts would be a nice addition too - make it even more healthful. Bernadette Ontario Canada Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
I make it with sunflower seeds instead of the water chestnuts Read More
happy-monkey@sbcglobal.net
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Decided to throw this together for a pool party on a whim. It was a hit! Very flavorful threw in extra cranberries and an extra teaspoon of sugar to sweeten it up a bit. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Used organic broccoli--delicious! Also good with dried cherries instead of dried cranberries. Pecans might be a nice addition. Make ahead and the dressing gets absorbed. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
I recently had this recipe with spinach leaves added to it; and it was surprisingly good! Liz Fort Worth Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Awesome!!!!! One of my favorite things just became healthy. Wow!!!!!! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
It is a good recipe however to really trim the fat use Turkey Bacon in place of regular bacon and use Splenda in place of the sugar. You can use fat free mayo and fat free sour cream however it really breaks down after several hours. The fat is an emulsifier and seems to hold the dressing together longer. If you want to eat within 6 hours it is great. I also substituted toasted slivered almonds in place of the waterchestnuts. Very nice. Read More
haddock.db@gmail.com
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
just made this today on my way to a cookout tonight! had to sneak a taste before leaving to make sure it's tasty. i made this with fresh brocc from the farmer's market substituted chopped walnuts as i'm not a big fan of water chestnuts and went a little heavy on the cranberries... AMAZING! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
I just served this for a goody day at work. Everyone loved it! I left out the water chestnuts just because I didn't have any and I used Splenda instead of sugar. AND it was filling so I didn't eat TOO much of the other junk. jtengland Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Great salad!! If anyone is worried about the fat and calories in the bacon try Hornell fully cooked bacon. They sell it at Costco. Very good choice. Only 80 calories per 2 strips and not loaded with sodium. Great recipe!! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Add Pine nuts or shelled sunflower seeds and you've got a winner! Read More
Victoria Scheerer
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
I follow a mostly meatless diet plus I have food allergies to cheese and eggs. This leaves me almost vegan. I am going to make this with vegan mayo tofu sour cream (homemaid; store bought has hydrogenated oil) and either veggie canadian bacon or organic "bacon" bits. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I have some fresh broccoli in the fridge waiting to be transformed:) Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This is such a surprise at picnics. Everyone loves it. The crunch of the water chestnuts and the mixture of all the flavors is yummmmy! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
Loved this recipe. It was easy to make ahead of time. The water chestnuts and dried cranberries made it very interesting to me. I'm the person who always brings a healthy salad when asked to bring something. I wanted something that was a little different than my usual. I have made it 3 times in the past month and have gotten compliments each time. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 2 stars
10/29/2011
Cannot believe all the rave reviews on this Salad I made this salad yesterday for a Memorial Day picnic today. First let me say that chopping the broccoli took longer than 20 min. The salad was dry & had very little flavor. I redressed it today and while it's better it's nothing to write home about. Save your time & look for another salad. Pros: Healthy low cal Cons: lacks flavor Read More
kathlawr64@gmail.com
Rating: 4 stars
10/29/2011
a good side salad some hints: 1. if you don't have cider vinegar a splash of white wine works well. 2. i didn't get hung up on chopping - had some bigger chunks smaller chunks. 3. serve on top a slab of beefsteak homegrown tomato. Pros: make ahead easy ingredients Cons: moderate amount chopping Read More
clovejoy@hotmail.com
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
yum Made this for a 4th of July bbq. It was a huge hit. Loved the crunch of the water chestnuts and the sweetness of the cranberries. Used greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Pros: easy to make low calorie Cons: none Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
10/29/2011
Easy make ahead crowd pleaser I have made this salad three different times since I found the recipe for our annual Fourth of July picnic. I have served it to all age groups and various levels of "foodies" and all have agreed that it's a hit. One thing I do is use fresh broccoli crowns cut them up into manageable sizes and steam them in the microwave for about a minute to a minute and a half. It brings out the taste and also the broccoli looks better in the salad. I have also substituted sliced cucumbers (skin on) for the water chestnuts and sausage crumbles for the bacon. It makes the salad name incorrect but it gives it a different flavor. Pros: Easy to substitute ingredients Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
Yum! I made this to take to a neighborhood party. It's super tasty! I took the advice of another reviewer and steamed the broccoli (on the stove) for just a few minutes to take away the bitterness and make it bright green. I also steamed for a bit longer the hard stalks so I could use those. (The broccoli is still crunchy.) I also used dried cherries and roasted salted sunflower seeds in place of the cranberries and water chestnuts. Finally I used plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream and white white balsamic instead of apple cider vinegar. The end result is super delicious with the right amounts of salty and sweet and texture variation as well as a pretty green sight in my orange bowl! Read More
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