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Make this honeycrisp apple broccoli salad when craving a crisp, creamy, and colorful side that always gets saved and re-pinned for fresh salad recipes and cold salad recipes, especially by veggie salad fans hunting the best salad recipes for easy weeknights or potlucks.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Crunchy meets juicy: broccoli, honeycrisp apples, and cranberries deliver a satisfying bite in every forkful for apple broccoli salad lovers.
- Creamy and tangy: a light, balanced dressing coats each piece without weighing it down, ideal for salad side dishes.
- Meal-prep friendly: the texture holds up well when chilled, making it a go-to for cold salad recipes and gatherings.
Ingredient notes
- Broccoli: Finely chop florets so each bite includes multiple textures; smaller pieces improve flavor distribution in a broccoli salad recipe.
- Honeycrisp apples: Their sweetness and crunch shine in honeycrisp apple broccoli salad; dice just before mixing to keep crisp.
- Red onion: A thin slice adds sharpness that balances creamy dressing in apple broccoli salad.
- Dried cranberries: Sweet-tart pops pair with apples and add color to fresh salad recipes.
- Seeds or nuts: Sunflower seeds or sliced almonds bring a toasty crunch—key to the best salad recipes’ texture.
- Dressing base: Greek yogurt and a touch of mayonnaise, with apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon for creamy-tangy balance in a broccoli salad recipe.
- Seasoning: Fine salt and black pepper; adjust after chilling to suit veggie salad preferences.
Step-by-step instructions
- Make the dressing
Whisk Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper until smooth and glossy; the goal is pourable, not runny, for cold salad recipes. - Chop for balance
Finely chop broccoli, dice honeycrisp apples, thinly slice onion, and shred carrots; smaller cuts make every bite feel like a composed apple broccoli salad. - Toss and coat
Add broccoli, apples, onion, carrots, cranberries, and seeds to a large bowl; pour in dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated for a honeycrisp apple broccoli salad. - Chill to set
Cover and refrigerate 20–30 minutes to meld flavors, then taste and adjust seasoning—critical for the best salad recipes texture and flavor. - Serve cold
Serve as a side for weeknight mains or potlucks; it fits salad side dishes and veggie salad boards perfectly.
Storage information
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container up to 2 days; apples may soften slightly, but the salad remains a top pick among fresh salad recipes.
- Make-ahead: Mix dressing and chopped components separately up to 24 hours; toss before serving for ideal apple broccoli salad texture.
- Revive leftovers: Add a splash of vinegar and a pinch of salt to brighten the broccoli salad recipe on day two.
Helpful tips
- Keep pieces small: Smaller broccoli and apple pieces equal more consistent bites—this is the hallmark of great cold salad recipes.
- Prevent browning: If prepping early, toss apples with a touch of lemon juice before mixing into the honeycrisp apple broccoli salad.
- Seed smart: Add seeds just before serving if you want maximum crunch in your apple broccoli salad.
Variations
- Sweet swap: Use golden raisins or dried cherries instead of cranberries for a twist in fresh salad recipes.
- Nut switch: Try pecans, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds to customize your veggie salad crunch.
- Cheese accent: A sprinkle of sharp white cheddar or crumbled feta for a savory note in a broccoli salad recipe.
- Lighter dressing: Replace some or all mayo with Greek yogurt for a leaner honeycrisp apple broccoli salad.
Tools and equipment needed
- Chef’s knife and sturdy cutting board for fine chopping in apple broccoli salad.
- Mixing bowls: one for dressing, one large for tossing a broccoli salad recipe.
- Silicone spatula or salad tongs for gentle, even coating in cold salad recipes.
- Airtight containers for make-ahead storage of salad side dishes.
Frequently asked questions
- Can this be made ahead?
Yes—keep dressing and chopped components separate and toss before serving to preserve crunch in honeycrisp apple broccoli salad. - How to keep apples crisp?
Cut apples last and chill quickly; lemon juice can help reduce browning in apple broccoli salad. - Is blanching necessary?
Not required; raw broccoli delivers the signature crunch of a broccoli salad recipe for fresh salad recipes. - What proteins pair well?
Grilled chicken or salmon complements cold salad recipes and makes it a complete meal from salad side dishes. - How to adjust sweetness?
Reduce the honey in the dressing or add more vinegar for a tangier veggie salad profile.
Make It a Meal
Transform this honeycrisp apple broccoli salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, salmon, or chickpeas for extra protein while keeping the fresh salad recipe vibe.
Serve alongside quinoa or wild rice to turn this veggie salad into a satisfying bowl that fits cold salad recipes for speedy weeknights.
Seasonal Swaps
In fall, lean into crisp Honeycrisp apples and dried cranberries; in spring, try strawberries and toasted almonds to keep this apple broccoli salad bright.
For winter crunch, add shredded Brussels sprouts; for summer, toss in sweet corn—both keep the broccoli salad recipe lively.
Make-Ahead for Parties
For potlucks and gatherings, pre-chop broccoli and apples, and mix the dressing separately; toss 30 minutes before serving for the best salad recipe texture.
Keep seeds or nuts aside until serving so this salad side dish staple stays ultra-crunchy on the table.
Lighten It Up
Swap more Greek yogurt for mayonnaise and add an extra splash of apple cider vinegar to maintain tang without heaviness in this cold salad recipe’s favorite.
Use roasted sunflower seeds for flavor-packed crunch while keeping this veggie salad balanced and nutrient-forward.
Kid-Friendly Tweaks
Dice broccoli and apples extra small, dial back red onion, and add a touch more honey for a gentle, sweet-leaning apple broccoli salad.
Offer the dressing on the side and let kids toss their own bowls—an easy win for a broccoli salad recipe on busy nights.
Hosting & Plating Tips
Serve in a wide, shallow bowl to showcase color contrast—greens, reds, and creamy dressing pop for fresh salad recipes photo moments.
Top just before serving with a final sprinkle of seeds and cranberries to signal crunch, a small detail that lifts salad side dishes
Nutritional Spotlight
- Fiber & freshness: Le duo broccoli + honeycrisp apples apporte des fibres et de la fraîcheur qui soutiennent la satiété tout en gardant le profil léger des fresh salad recipes.
- Smart fats & crunch: Les sunflower seeds ou amandes ajoutent des lipides bénéfiques et un croquant agréable, un marqueur des best salad recipes et des salad side dishes réussies.
- Lighter creamy dressing: La base Greek yogurt + mayo maintient une texture onctueuse avec une sensation plus légère, idéale pour les veggie salad et cold salad recipes du quotidien.
Related recipes you’ll love
- Browse more salad side dishes and fresh salad recipes on elitesrecipes.com for inspiration that pairs with this apple broccoli salad.
Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad
A crisp, creamy, and colorful side featuring crunchy broccoli, juicy Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, and seeds in a tangy yogurt-mayo dressing. Perfect for fresh salad recipes, veggie salad lovers, and cold salad recipes for easy weeknights or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 6
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
– 4 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
– 2 Honeycrisp apples, diced
– 1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/2 cup shredded carrots
– 1/3 cup dried cranberries
– 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or sliced almonds
– 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 3 tbsp mayonnaise
– 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
– 1 tbsp honey
– 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Whisk the dressing: Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper until smooth.
2. Combine broccoli, diced Honeycrisp apples, red onion, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, and seeds in a large bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
4. Chill for 20–30 minutes to meld flavors, then taste and adjust seasoning.
5. Serve cold as a refreshing side for weeknights or gatherings.
Notes
For extra crunch, add seeds just before serving. To lighten it up, replace more mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. Toss apples with a little lemon juice if prepping early. Great with grilled chicken or salmon for a complete meal.