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Broccoli Apple Crunch Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 78 reviews

A refreshing and crunchy broccoli apple salad featuring crisp broccoli florets, sweet Honeycrisp apples, tart dried cranberries, toasted nuts, sharp cheddar cheese, and a tangy honey apple cider vinegar dressing. This salad is perfect as a healthy side dish or light lunch, packed with textures and sweet-tart flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • 4 cups broccoli florets (about 2 small heads), chopped into small pieces
  • 1 large Honeycrisp apple (or 2 small), cored and diced
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded (optional)

Dressing

  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Broccoli: Rinse and thoroughly dry the broccoli florets, then chop into small, bite-sized pieces. Optionally, peel and finely chop the broccoli stems for additional crunch and texture.
  2. Dice Apple: Wash and core the Honeycrisp apple(s), then dice into small cubes. To prevent browning if prepping ahead, toss the diced apple with a little lemon juice.
  3. Toast Nuts: Place pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over low heat and toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Allow the nuts to cool, then roughly chop them.
  4. Slice Onion and Prepare Cheese: Thinly slice the red onion. Cube or shred the sharp cheddar cheese if you are including it in your salad.
  5. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
  6. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli, diced apple, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, sliced red onion, and cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
  7. Chill (Optional): Cover the salad and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.
  8. Serve: Before serving, sprinkle additional toasted nuts or dried cranberries on top for extra texture and garnish. Serve chilled for best taste.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, substitute mayonnaise with a plant-based alternative and omit the cheddar cheese.
  • To keep apples from browning, toss them with a bit of lemon juice immediately after dicing.
  • Toasting nuts enhances their flavor—keep a close watch to prevent burning.
  • This salad can be prepared ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 2 days for best freshness.
  • Feel free to substitute pecans or walnuts with your preferred nuts such as almonds or cashews.

Keywords: Broccoli Apple Salad, Crunchy Salad, Healthy Side Dish, Honeycrisp Apple Salad, Broccoli Salad with Nuts, Cheddar Cheese Salad

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/broccoli-apple-crunch-salad-recipe/