Description
A fresh and crunchy Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad combining crisp broccoli florets with sweet Honeycrisp apples, tangy red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds, all tossed in a creamy honey apple cider vinegar dressing with sharp cheddar cheese for a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, cored and diced (skin-on)
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Wash and cut the broccoli into small florets. Core and dice the Honeycrisp apples, leaving the skin on for extra texture and flavor. Thinly slice the red onion. Set aside the dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
- Toss the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, diced apples, sliced red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and shredded cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Chill and Serve: For best flavor and texture, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the dressing to meld with the ingredients. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light lunch.
Notes
- Using Honeycrisp apples adds a perfect balance of sweetness and crispness; you can substitute with Fuji or Gala apples if needed.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a lower-fat alternative.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and flavor variety.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Adjust salt and pepper in the dressing according to your taste preferences.
