Description
Honeycrisp apple and broccoli salad brings crisp autumn flavors dancing together in perfect harmony. Fresh ingredients mingle with tangy dressing, creating a light meal packed with vibrant nutrition and delightful crunch you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (946 ml) broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple, diced
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped pecans or walnuts
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1/2 cup (60 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
Dressing and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
- 1/4 cup (40 g) red onion, finely diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and combine fresh broccoli florets, crisp Honeycrisp apple chunks, tart dried cranberries, toasted pecan fragments, finely diced red onion, and optional shredded cheddar for a vibrant foundation.
- Create a creamy dressing by vigorously whisking mayonnaise, tangy apple cider vinegar, golden honey, and a delicate sprinkle of salt and pepper until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Gently cascade the dressing over the salad ingredients, using careful folding motions to ensure each component is evenly and thoroughly coated with the luscious dressing.
- Allow the salad to rest and marinate in the refrigerator, giving the flavors time to intertwine and develop a harmonious profile for approximately 30 minutes before serving.
- Just prior to presentation, give the salad a final gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and reinvigorate the crisp textures of the fresh ingredients.
Notes
- Swap pecans or walnuts with sunflower seeds for a nut-free version perfect for school lunches or allergy-sensitive diets.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to reduce calories and boost protein content, creating a lighter dressing option.
- For a vegan adaptation, replace honey with maple syrup and use dairy-free cheese or omit cheese completely while maintaining delicious flavor profiles.
- Massage chopped broccoli with dressing briefly to soften raw texture and help ingredients absorb more flavor, making the salad more tender and enjoyable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg