My friend Jill at work brought me a taste of a homemade broccoli salad she’d made a year or two ago. One bite and I was hooked. It was similar to the bagged broccoli salad mixes you’ll find at Sam’s Club or Costco that are really delicious. Only her’s was made from scratch, which anything homemade is always better! It was one of those ‘I need the recipe to this NOW!!!’ Only that was a year or two ago.. and I just got around to making it. What took so long?? This stuff is AMAZING!
I opted to use fresh cooked bacon rather than bacon bits because let’s be honest. Real fresh cooked bacon is just better. I also added dried cranberries (which Jill didn’t have in hers) and I love the added touch of sweetness. I didn’t grow up eating broccoli salads, but I’m sure going to add them to my regular rotation in my family. It’s just too good to pass up. Serve it along side any of my delicious burger that I made during burger week, my Mom’s Best Potato Salad, Mom’s Best Macaroni Salad, or my Quick & Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe! Goodness, I’m ready to send out the invites and get some friends over for a BBQ!
Tasty Broccoli Salad with Dried Cranberries
Need a new salad to take to your next get together? This Tasty Broccoli Salad with Dried Cranberries will be an instant hit. Slightly sweet with a little bit of tang, finished off with crunchy bacon bits. Delightful!
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 pkg. bowtie pasta
- 1/4 red onion finely diced
- Raw broccoli washed & chopped
- 1 can pitted olives
- 1/2 c. dried cranberries
- 1/4 c. bacon bits
Dressing
- 1/2 c. mayo
- 1/4 c. sugar
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
Instructions
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Prepare pasta according to package directions.
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In a large bowl combine all salad ingredients.
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Mix dressing together, pour over salad.
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Refrigerate overnight.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from My friend, Jill B.
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Kitty
Sounds yummy and can’t wait to try it. I’ll have to split into 2 servings because my husband can’t have cranberries any more (and he loves them) because of reaction with meds.
Yvonne
You’ll have to let me know if you try it – it’s one of our favorites! Bummer about the medical reaction to cranberries :(
Jack Vermicelli
How much broccoli should be used? For it being the headliner ingredient, it’s the only one that doesn’t have an amount specified.
Yvonne
You can use one regular-sized broccoli head, should be perfect!
What a great combination of flavors! Can’t wait to try this!
Yvonne
Woohoo – thanks for coming to check it out!
I’m with Jesseca – I might go sans crans, but anything with bacon is a win! Loves!
Yvonne
Ha! No biggie – delicious either way!
This looks so delicious! I think I’d probably leave out the bacon bits personally though-I’m just not that into bacon surprisingly! Thanks for sharing, I pinned it!
Yvonne
No worries – leave it out, ti will still be tasty! Thanks for the Pinterest love!
I love broccoli salad and this one looks extra amazing. I think even my pickiest eater would try this!
Yvonne
Thanks so much! Yes! I bet they would love it!
Oh yum. Love me some broccoli!!! Cranberries seem like they would just go perfect in this! Can’t wait to try it!
Yvonne
Oh yay! You have to try this – it’s delicious!!
Yum, this sounds delish! I just bought some broccoli I just might make this :)
Yvonne
Awesome! It’s delicious, hope you like it!
Tiana
ok Cranberries are optional! I love cranberries so I will try with the cranberries!
Tiana
Are cranberries suppose to be part of the recipe? If so, why are they not listed in the ingredient’s? How much do add?
Yvonne
Yep! They sure are supposed to be a part of the recipe.. oopsie, I forgot and updated the recipe :) Sorry for the confusion!
We love broccoli but adding cranberries made me cringe a little. I’m not a huge cranberry person but I totally agree about fresh cooked bacon being better. It just is. (Morgan says that he votes yes to the cranberries. I’ll have to make a 1/2 & 1/2 version!)
Yvonne
Eek! If you don’t like cranberries, leave them out. I love them!! 1/2 and 1/2 version would be a great compromise :)