This vibrant Broccoli Apple Salad combines fresh, crisp ingredients in a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Ready in just 15 minutes, this nutrient-packed salad delivers an impressive 11g of protein and 9g of fiber per serving. The natural sweetness of apple perfectly balances the earthy broccoli, creating a refreshing dish that’s both satisfying and nutritious. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or serving it as a quick side dish, this colorful salad proves that healthy eating can be both delicious and effortless.
Ingredient Section
- Fresh Broccoli: 2 heads, cut into small bite-sized florets (4 cups for perfect portion)
- Apples: 2 medium-sized, chopped into small cubes (2 cups for balanced sweetness)
- Red Onion: 1/4 cup finely diced for a zesty kick
- Nuts & Seeds: 1/3 cup slivered almonds and 1/4 cup sunflower seeds for delightful crunch
- Dried Cranberries: 1/2 cup for natural sweetness and color
- Dressing Components:
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (protein-rich base)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise for creaminess
- 2 Tbsp each of apple cider vinegar and honey
- 1 Tbsp each of sugar and lemon juice
- 2 tsp poppy seeds for texture and visual appeal
Instructions Section
- Salad Assembly: In a spacious bowl, combine your chopped broccoli, apple chunks, diced red onion, almonds, sunflower seeds, and cranberries.
- Dressing Preparation: Mix all dressing ingredients until perfectly smooth and well combined.
- Final Touch: Gradually add dressing to the salad mixture, tossing gently to ensure even coating.
- Chill Time: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld together.
Make-Ahead Tips
This salad tastes even better when the flavors have time to mix! You can prep most parts up to 2 days ahead. Keep the chopped broccoli, dressing, and toasted nuts in separate containers in your fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just toss everything together. Quick tip: coat your chopped apples in a bit of lemon juice if you’re cutting them ahead of time – this keeps them from turning brown!
Smart Substitutions
Don’t have every ingredient? No problem! Try pears instead of apples for a different sweet crunch. Swap the almonds for pecans or walnuts, or skip the nuts entirely and double up on sunflower seeds. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free yogurt in the dressing. Want it sweeter? Use honey instead of sugar, or less sweet? Skip the sugar and just use the honey listed in the recipe.
Serving Ideas
This bright and crunchy salad shines as a side dish at barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners. It pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or turkey sandwiches. For a full meal, add some diced rotisserie chicken or chickpeas right into the salad. Want it to look extra pretty? Save some almonds and cranberries to sprinkle on top just before serving.
Storage Notes
Your salad will stay fresh and crunchy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The apples might soften a bit, but the flavors will keep getting better! If you notice any extra liquid in the bottom of your container, just give everything a quick stir before serving. The nuts might lose some crunch over time, so you can always add a fresh sprinkle when you’re ready to eat.
Broccoli Apple Salad
Equipment
- Large Bowl
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 heads fresh broccoli chopped into small florets (about 4 cups)
- 2 apples chopped (about 2 cups)
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Dressing
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss together broccoli, apples, red onion, almonds, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries.
- Make Dressing: Whisk together all ingredients until smooth.
- Drizzle the dressing, just a little at a time, over the salad and toss to combine.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving.
