1. What kind of apples work best for Broccoli Apple Salad?

The best apples for this salad are Honeycrisp apples because of their balance of sweetness and tartness. However, you can substitute them with other varieties like Fuji, Gala, or even Granny Smith for a more tart flavor.

2. Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! This Broccoli Apple Salad holds up very well when prepared ahead. You can assemble the broccoli, apples, and dried fruits with the dressing up to a day before serving. Just be sure to add the almonds and cheese right before serving to keep them crunchy.

3. Can I make the dressing without mayo?

If you prefer to avoid mayo, you can leave it out and substitute with extra olive oil for a lighter dressing. The dressing will still be creamy due to the mustard and honey, but a bit less rich.

Broccoli Apple Salad: A Refreshing, Crunchy Delight

Description

This Broccoli Apple Salad combines the fresh crunch of broccoli, the sweetness of apples, and the creamy tang of a honey mustard dressing. It’s a perfect side dish for any meal, full of vibrant flavors and textures that remain fresh for hours, making it ideal for meal prep or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz broccoli florets (bite-sized pieces)
1 large Honeycrisp apple (chopped, tossed with lemon juice)
¼ cup red onion (chopped)
¼ cup dried cherries (or raisins/dried cranberries)
½ cup roasted almonds (slivered or sliced)
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (or shredded sharp white cheddar)
For the Dressing: ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tablespoons pure honey
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon real mayo (optional)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more to taste)

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Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
Cover and chill the dressing until ready to use.
In a large serving bowl, toss together the broccoli florets, chopped red onion, dried cherries, and chopped apples.
Pour the chilled dressing over the salad mixture and toss to combine.
If not serving immediately, cover and chill for several hours or overnight.
Before serving, gently stir in the roasted almonds and blue cheese. Serve chilled.

Notes

Make the dressing up to two days ahead for convenience.
To prevent the apples from browning, toss them in lemon juice as soon as they’re chopped.
For a lighter dressing, omit the mayo and use more olive oil.
Wait to add the almonds and cheese until just before serving to keep them crunchy.
This salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. However, the nuts may lose their crunch after storing.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 378
Sugar: 70.6g
Sodium: 129.9mg
Fat: 10.6g
Saturated Fat: 1.7g
Unsaturated Fat: 8.9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 74.9g
Fiber: 1.6g
Protein: 3.4g
Cholesterol: 8mg