Description
Crisp honeycrisp apple broccoli salad brings garden-fresh ingredients together in a delightful dance of flavors and textures. Crunchy broccoli, sweet apples, and tangy dressing create a refreshing meal that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple, diced
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped pecans or walnuts
Cheese:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Aromatics:
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) red onion, finely diced
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli by finely chopping into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent texture and even dressing coverage.
- Dice the Honeycrisp apple into crisp, small cubes, maintaining their fresh appearance and preventing browning by working quickly.
- Slice red onion into thin, delicate rings to provide a sharp, subtle crunch without overwhelming other ingredients.
- Roughly chop pecans to release their rich, nutty essence and create interesting textural contrast within the salad.
- Sprinkle dried cranberries throughout the mixture, adding bursts of sweet-tart flavor and vibrant color.
- Grate cheddar cheese into light, airy shreds that will distribute evenly and complement the salad’s complex profile.
- Whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl until the dressing transforms into a smooth, cohesive mixture.
- Gently fold the dressing into the salad, ensuring each ingredient receives a delicate coating without becoming soggy.
- Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify while maintaining the ingredients’ crisp texture.
- Serve chilled, garnishing with additional pecans or a light sprinkle of cheese if desired.
Notes
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that cuts calories without sacrificing creaminess.
- Chop broccoli and apple into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure every forkful has balanced texture and easy eating.
- Make ahead and store in an airtight container for up to 2 days, but add nuts just before serving to maintain their crunch and prevent sogginess.
- For a vegan adaptation, replace cheddar with nutritional yeast and use vegan mayonnaise to keep the tangy, creamy dressing profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg