Get ready to meet your new favorite side dish! This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is a vibrant, crunchy, and incredibly delicious salad that hits all the right notes. It’s one of those perfect Fresh Salad Recipes that combines the crisp texture of raw broccoli with the sweet, juicy crunch of a Honeycrisp apple, the chewiness of dried cranberries, and the nuttiness of pecans. Tossed in a simple, creamy dressing, this amazing Broccoli Salad is a standout among Cold Salad Recipes and is hearty enough to be considered one of the great Salad Recipes For Dinner.
Why This is One of the Best Salad Recipes
This simple Veggie Salad is a perfect example of how a few fresh ingredients can create something spectacular. It’s a versatile and beloved dish for a reason.
- A Perfect Mix of Textures: You get a wonderful combination of crunchy, creamy, chewy, and crisp in every single bite.
- Sweet and Savory: The natural sweetness from the apples and cranberries is perfectly balanced by the sharp onion and savory dressing.
- Quick and Easy to Make: This is a simple chop-and-mix recipe that comes together in just a few minutes, making it perfect for last-minute meals or potlucks.
- A Crowd-Pleasing Favorite: This is a tried-and-true Broccoli Salad Recipe that is always a hit at barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings.
Your Fresh Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses a handful of ingredients to create a truly memorable salad.
For the Salad:
- Broccoli: 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets, chopped into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Apple: 1 large Honeycrisp apple, diced.
- Dried Cranberries: ½ cup.
- Nuts: ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Red Onion: ¼ cup, finely diced.
- Cheese: ½ cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional).
For the Creamy Dressing:
- Mayonnaise: ½ cup.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 tablespoons.
- Honey: 1 tablespoon.
- Seasoning: Salt and pepper to taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This incredibly easy salad comes together in just a few simple steps.
Part 1: Combine the Salad Ingredients
- Prep the Ingredients: Wash and chop your broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. Core and dice the Honeycrisp apple. Finely dice the red onion.
- Mix Everything: In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, diced apple, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and diced red onion. If you are using cheddar cheese, add it now.
Part 2: Whisk the Dressing
- Combine Dressing Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, add the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey.
- Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk the ingredients together until you have a smooth and creamy dressing. Season with salt and pepper to your liking and whisk again.
Part 3: Toss, Chill, and Serve
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl.
- Toss to Coat: Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
- Chill for Best Flavor: For the best results, cover the salad and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows all the delicious flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Give the salad one last gentle stir and serve chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I prepare this Broccoli Salad ahead of time? Absolutely! This is a great make-ahead dish. You can prepare the salad and the dressing separately and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. For the best texture, wait to toss them together until about 30 minutes before you plan to serve.
2. What are some good variations for Apple Salad Recipes like this? This is a wonderful base recipe. For variations, you could add a cup of cooked quinoa or pasta to make it a heartier main course. You could also swap the pecans for sunflower seeds or the dried cranberries for raisins. For a different creamy base, try using half Greek yogurt and half mayonnaise in the dressing.
3. Can I use a different kind of apple? Yes! While Honeycrisp provides a fantastic sweet-tart flavor and a great crunch, other firm and crisp apples work wonderfully too. Granny Smith will give you a tarter flavor, while Fuji or Gala will be on the sweeter side.
4. What main dishes does this salad pair well with? This is one of the most versatile Salad Recipes For Dinner sides. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or pork, baked salmon, burgers, or pulled pork sandwiches. It is also a standout dish on its own for a light and refreshing lunch.
Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple, diced
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 0.25 cup red onion, finely diced
- 0.5 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash and chop the broccoli into small florets. Dice the Honeycrisp apple and finely dice the red onion.
- In a large serving bowl, combine broccoli, apple, cranberries, pecans, onion, and optional cheddar cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.