Description
Honeycrisp apple broccoli salad delivers crisp textures and bold flavors from seasonal ingredients. Crunchy broccoli florets, sweet apples, and tangy dressing combine for a refreshing side dish you’ll enjoy again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 ml) broccoli florets, chopped
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded carrots
- 1 large honeycrisp apple, diced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup (120 ml) dried cranberries
- ½ cup (120 ml) chopped pecans (or almonds or walnuts)
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
Instructions
- Dressing Preparation: Whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth, adjusting seasonings to create a balanced tangy-sweet profile.
- Salad Assembly: Combine chopped broccoli florets, Honeycrisp apple cubes, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and minced red onion in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Cheese and Optional Protein: Optionally sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon fragments to enhance flavor complexity and textural interest.
- Dressing Application: Generously drizzle prepared dressing over the salad components, gently tossing to achieve comprehensive and uniform coating of all ingredients.
- Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify, then serve thoroughly chilled as a refreshing and vibrant culinary creation.
Notes
- Enhance Apple Freshness: Choose crisp, firm Honeycrisp apples and dice immediately before mixing to prevent browning and maintain vibrant texture.
- Balance Dressing Consistency: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create smooth emulsion, adjusting vinegar or honey for desired tanginess and sweetness.
- Prevent Soggy Texture: Add crunchy ingredients like pecans and apples just before serving to maintain optimal crispness and prevent wilting.
- Customize Diet Options: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for lighter version, use vegan cheese alternative, or omit cheese for dairy-free adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg