Description
Broccoli Apple Crunch Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish combining crisp broccoli florets, sweet-tart apples, crunchy nuts, dried cranberries, and a tangy creamy dressing. This easy-to-make salad is packed with nutrients, perfect as a healthy side or light meal, and customizable to suit your taste and dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets (cut into small bite-sized pieces)
- 2 crisp apples (such as Fuji or Honeycrisp), cored and chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Wash the broccoli thoroughly and cut it into small, bite-sized florets. For a slightly softer texture, blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and rinse with cold water. Alternatively, use fresh raw broccoli for maximum crunch.
- Chop the Apples: Core the apples and cut them into small cubes or thin slices, leaving the skin on for extra color and fiber unless you prefer peeled apples.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt or mayonnaise with apple cider vinegar, honey, a pinch of salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust the sweetness or acidity according to your taste.
- Combine the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, toss the broccoli florets, chopped apples, red onion slices, nuts, and dried cranberries. Pour the dressing over the mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Stir gently again before serving.
Notes
- Use the freshest broccoli possible for the best crunch and flavor.
- Cut broccoli and apples into similar sizes for easier eating.
- Taste and tweak the dressing to suit your preference for sweetness and tanginess.
- Stir in nuts just before serving to maintain their crunch.
- Serve the salad chilled for optimal taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute (optional blanching)
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Broccoli salad, apple salad, crunchy salad, healthy salad, gluten free salad, vegetarian salad, easy salad recipe
