Crunchy Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe for Fresh Eats

Summers buzz with vibrant flavors, and this honeycrisp apple broccoli salad delivers an unexpected crunch that surprises every palate.

Fresh green florets dance alongside sweet, juicy apple chunks in a delightful harmony of textures.

Crisp broccoli meets the honeycrisp apple’s natural sweetness, creating a refreshing blend that breaks free from ordinary salad expectations.

Chopped nuts add a delightful crackle, while a tangy dressing weaves through each ingredient with zesty enthusiasm.

The salad balances health and indulgence in every colorful bite.

Lightweight yet satisfying, this dish promises to become your new favorite quick meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 5

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad – Your Ingredient Guide

• Broccoli: Vibrant green veggie that adds a nutritious crunch and earthy flavor to the salad, best when fresh and crisp.
• Carrots: Sweet root vegetable that brings color and natural sweetness, choose firm and bright orange carrots.

• Red Onion: Provides a sharp, tangy bite that cuts through the creamy dressing, opt for firm and glossy onions.
• Dried Cranberries: Adds a burst of sweet-tart flavor and beautiful red color, look for plump and glossy berries.
• Pecans: Delivers a rich, buttery crunch that elevates the salad's texture, select fresh and crisp nuts without any rancid smell.

• Mayonnaise: Creates a smooth, rich base for the dressing that binds all ingredients together.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds bright, tangy notes that balance the creamy dressing.
• Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps round out the dressing's flavor profile.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces a subtle kick and depth to the dressing.
• Cheddar Cheese: Optional creamy element that adds sharp, salty complexity.
• Bacon: Optional crispy topping that introduces smoky, salty flavor.

• Honeycrisp Apple: Provides crisp, sweet-tart freshness, choose firm apples with bright, unblemished skin.

• Salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors in the salad.
• Black Pepper: Adds a gentle warmth.

Tools to Toss a Great Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining salad ingredients.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for dicing apples, chopping onions, and cutting broccoli.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure dressing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures precise ingredient proportions.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for shredding cheese and carrots.

How to Make Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad at Home

• Craft the Flavor Blend

Whip together creamy mayo, tangy apple cider vinegar, sweet honey, zesty Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper in a small mixing bowl. Taste and fine-tune the seasoning until it sings with deliciousness.

• Mix Crisp Companions

Toss broccoli, freshly diced Honeycrisp apple, vibrant carrot ribbons, ruby-red cranberries, crunchy pecans, sharp red onion, and optional sharp cheddar cheese into a spacious bowl. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the colorful medley and gently fold everything together until each ingredient is beautifully coated.

• Chill and Unleash Flavor

Cover your creation and let it rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes. This magical resting period allows the flavors to dance and mingle, creating a harmonious taste experience. Optional: Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top for an extra flavor punch. Serve cold and savor every delightful bite.

Flavor Tips for Your Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

• Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance the taste and allow ingredients to blend perfectly.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance, keeping dressing and bacon separate until just before serving to maintain maximum crispness.
• Replace bacon with roasted sunflower seeds or toasted pumpkin seeds for a vegetarian-friendly protein crunch that adds similar texture.
• Eliminate cheddar cheese and use nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternative to make the salad completely lactose-free while maintaining rich flavor profile.
• Substitute dried cranberries with fresh berries or reduce quantity to lower sugar content, making the salad more keto and low-carbohydrate friendly.

Serve Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad as a Side or Main

• Fresh Picnic Companion: Pack this vibrant salad in a sealed container for outdoor gatherings, beach trips, or park lunches where crisp flavors shine.
• Protein Power Boost: Top the salad with grilled chicken strips or sliced hard-boiled eggs to transform it into a complete and satisfying meal with extra protein.
• Elegant Side Dish: Serve alongside roasted turkey, baked salmon, or grilled pork chops to create a balanced and colorful dinner plate that impresses guests with its fresh ingredients and delightful crunch.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad a day in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to intensify and develop a more robust taste profile for convenient meal planning.

How to Store Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Without Sogging

• Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes before serving to enhance flavor blending and allow ingredients to absorb the tangy dressing.
• Prepare salad components separately and combine just before serving to maintain crisp textures of broccoli and apples, preventing sogginess.
• Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Note that bacon will lose crispness and pecans might soften slightly after first day.
• Chop vegetables and mix dressing up to 24 hours in advance. Store separately in sealed containers to streamline meal preparation and reduce last-minute stress.

Crisp Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad combines crisp produce with a tangy dressing that dances across seasonal ingredients. Crunchy textures and balanced flavors invite you to savor each refreshing bite of this delightful garden-fresh experience.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups (946 ml) broccoli florets, fresh, chopped
• 1 Honeycrisp apple, large, diced
• 4 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled (optional)
• ½ cup (120 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
• ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
• ½ cup (60 g) pecans, chopped (or almonds or walnuts)
• ½ cup (60 g) carrots, shredded
• ¼ cup (40 g) red onion, finely diced
• 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 Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well-blended. Fine-tune seasoning to taste and set mixture aside.
2. Salad Composition: Combine broccoli florets, crisp Honeycrisp apple chunks, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, finely diced red onion, and optional cheddar cheese in a spacious mixing bowl. Drizzle prepared dressing over ingredients and thoroughly toss to ensure complete coating, allowing each component to be evenly dressed.
3. Finishing and Serving: If desired, sprinkle crumbled bacon over the salad for additional texture and flavor. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, enabling ingredients to marinate and flavors to harmonize. Remove from refrigerator, give a quick gentle stir, and serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light meal.

Notes

• Cut broccoli into uniform, bite-sized florets to ensure even dressing distribution and consistent texture throughout the salad.
• Toss diced apples with a splash of lemon juice to maintain their crisp, fresh appearance and prevent oxidation.
• Adjust mayonnaise quantity based on vegetable volume to achieve a light, not overly saturated coating that complements ingredients.
• Swap bacon for plant-based alternatives, use vegan mayo, or omit cheese to create vegetarian or dairy-free versions of the salad.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg