Meet your new salad obsession: the Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad. This bowlful of crunchy, creamy goodness combines crisp, juicy Honeycrisp apples and bright broccoli with tangy yogurt dressing, sweet dried cranberries, and a satisfying nutty crunch for a spectacular side dish that lights up any table. It’s my go-to for potlucks, weekday lunches, and even holiday spreads — everyone takes a second helping and begs for the recipe. Let’s dive into this rainbow of fresh flavors!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is delightfully simple, with each ingredient bringing its own splash of color, burst of flavor, or irresistible texture. Don’t skip a thing — every element plays an important role in creating salad magic!
- Broccoli florets: The sturdy, crisp base that stands up to dressing and soaks in flavor with each bite.
- Honeycrisp apple: Fresh and juicy, this variety delivers that signature sweet crunch and never turns mushy.
- Shredded carrots: For a touch of earthy sweetness and pop of sunny orange throughout the salad.
- Red onion: Adds a little zing and a gorgeous hint of purple without overpowering the other flavors.
- Dried cranberries: Bursts of tart, chewy sweetness that balance out the creamy and crisp elements.
- Roasted sunflower seeds or chopped almonds: Bring nutty notes and extra crunch; use whichever you have on hand!
- Plain Greek yogurt: The creamy, protein-packed base of the dressing that lightens things up while still feeling indulgent.
- Mayonnaise: Just enough to add classic salad creaminess without being heavy.
- Apple cider vinegar: Brings gentle tang and brightness, making all the flavors pop.
- Honey: Naturally sweetens the dressing and plays so well with apples and cranberries.
- Salt and black pepper: The finishing touch to balance flavors and wake up your taste buds.
How to Make Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Fruit
Start by chopping your broccoli florets into little bite-sized pieces, so the salad feels hearty but totally manageable on a fork. Dice your Honeycrisp apple just before mixing to keep it fresh and crisp, and shred those carrots for sweet ribbons of color. Finally, finely chop the red onion — this gives gentle onion flavor without being overwhelming.
Step 2: Toss Together the Salad
In a big, roomy bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, diced apple, shredded carrots, red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds or almonds. Use clean hands or a broad spoon to distribute the goodies evenly; you want every forkful to have a little of everything. It already looks beautiful, doesn’t it?
Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing
The dressing is where the Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad really comes alive. Whisk together the Greek yogurt, just a touch of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl until smooth. The yogurt makes it extra silky, while vinegar and honey balance everything out.
Step 4: Combine and Chill
Pour the dressing over your salad ingredients, scraping out every last bit. Gently toss everything until perfectly coated; the dressing will cling to those craggy broccoli tops and juicy apple cubes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (longer if you can!), so the flavors meld and each bite sings.
Step 5: Toss Again and Serve
When you’re ready to serve, give the salad a good toss to loosen it up and redistribute any dressing that settled at the bottom. Take a moment to admire the jewel-toned salad you’ve created — and prepare for the compliments to roll in once everyone tries your Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad!
How to Serve Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad
Garnishes
Top with extra toasted sunflower seeds, a handful of sliced almonds, or even a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper right before serving. A few thin slices of apple arranged on top make it look straight out of a farm-to-table café.
Side Dishes
Pair this Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad with simple grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or baked salmon for a vibrant meal. It’s also incredible next to a sandwich, as part of a holiday buffet, or as a light solo lunch with crusty bread on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve it in a large wooden salad bowl for rustic charm, or scoop individual portions into glass jars for make-ahead lunch perfection. You can even mound it on butter lettuce leaves for pretty lettuce wraps — let your imagination run wild!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. The broccoli and apples stay crisp, and the flavors just get better as they mingle together overnight.
Freezing
This isn’t a freezer-friendly salad — the fresh veggies and apples are best enjoyed crisp, and freezing will turn them watery and limp when thawed. Make only as much as you can enjoy within a few days!
Reheating
No need to reheat; this salad is meant to be served chilled or at cool room temperature. If you like, let it sit out for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off and wake up the flavors.
FAQs
Can I make the Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the Greek yogurt and mayonnaise for your favorite plant-based alternatives. The salad will still be rich and creamy, and you can show off a vegan version that everyone can enjoy.
Which apples work best if I don’t have Honeycrisp?
Honeycrisp apples are my favorite here for their unbeatable texture and sweetness, but Fuji, Gala, or even Pink Lady apples are great runner-ups. Just aim for a crisp, juicy variety to get plenty of crunch.
Can I prep anything ahead for this salad?
Definitely! Chop the veggies and apples and store them separately in airtight containers. You can also mix up the dressing in advance. Just combine everything and toss with the dressing 30 minutes before serving for the freshest result.
Is this Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad gluten-free?
It sure is! All the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this salad a safe and tasty choice for anyone avoiding gluten (just be sure your mayo and yogurt are certified gluten-free if needed).
What other mix-ins can I try?
Feel free to get creative — try swapping in pecans or walnuts, toss in some crumbled feta or goat cheese, or add diced celery for even more crunch. Chopped dried apricots or seeds like pumpkin or hemp also make fun additions to your Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad!
Final Thoughts
Give this Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad a spot at your next meal, and it might just steal the show! With so much fresh flavor, texture, and color in every bite, it’s one of those rare salads people actually crave. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare and share — go ahead and make it, then watch it disappear!
Print
Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
A delightful and healthy Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad that is perfect for any occasion. This salad combines fresh broccoli with sweet Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, and a creamy yogurt dressing for a flavorful and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Fresh Broccoli Salad:
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
Honeycrisp Apple Mixture:
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple, diced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup roasted sunflower seeds or chopped almonds
Creamy Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, diced apple, shredded carrots, red onion, cranberries, and sunflower seeds.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine and Chill: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving.
Notes
- This salad is great for meal prep and stays fresh in the fridge for 2–3 days.
- For added sweetness or crunch, consider adding more apples or substituting with pecans.
- To make it dairy-free, use plant-based yogurt and mayo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
