Easy Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe
This Easy Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is a vibrant, crunchy, and flavorful side dish that combines fresh broccoli florets with the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples, sharp cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, and toasted nuts. Tossed in a tangy honey-apple cider vinegar dressing, it’s perfect for picnics, holiday meals, or a quick healthy addition to any dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (optional nut toasting)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (bite-sized)
- 2 large Honeycrisp apples, cored and diced
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries (or raisins)
- ½ cup toasted pecans or almonds, roughly chopped
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli and Apples: Wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli florets to prevent sogginess. Dice the Honeycrisp apples into small chunks, keeping the skin on to add color and extra fiber.
- Toast the Nuts (Optional): Place pecans or almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast them for 3 to 5 minutes until they become fragrant, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning by adding more honey for sweetness or vinegar for tanginess.
- Combine the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, add broccoli, apples, cheddar cheese, red onion, dried cranberries, and toasted nuts. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating of all ingredients.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled, optionally garnished with extra nuts or cranberries for an appealing presentation.
Notes
- Dry the broccoli completely after washing to keep the dressing from becoming watery.
- Dice broccoli florets and apples into bite-sized pieces for better texture and flavor distribution.
- Toast nuts to enhance their flavor, but this step can be skipped if desired.
- Make the salad up to a day in advance but add dressing only an hour before serving to maintain broccoli crispness.
- Adjust the dressing seasoning to achieve a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
- Substitute mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing or use vegan mayo and maple syrup for a vegan version.
Keywords: Honeycrisp apple salad, broccoli salad, healthy salad recipe, honey apple dressing, easy side dish, vegetarian salad, crunchy salad, fruit and vegetable salad
