Description
This Broccoli Apple Salad combines crisp fresh broccoli, sweet-tart apples, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, and crunchy sunflower seeds in a creamy apple cider vinegar dressing. An easy, refreshing side dish perfect for family dinners, potlucks, picnics, and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads, chopped small)
- 2 medium apples (sweet-tart, like Honeycrisp or Gala, diced)
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds (or chopped pecans)
- ¼ cup red onion (finely diced)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Dressing:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or mayo, or half and half)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli, apples, and carrots. Chop the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets.
- Dice the apples and finely dice the red onion.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli, apples, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds or chopped pecans, red onion, and optional cheddar cheese.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt or chosen alternative, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate briefly to allow the flavors to come together. Toss gently before serving.
Notes
- Use mayonnaise instead of Greek yogurt for a richer dressing, or combine the two.
- For the best crunch, add the sunflower seeds or pecans just before serving.
- If preparing ahead, store the dressing separately and dice the apples shortly before assembling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: Broccoli Apple Salad, broccoli salad, apple broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, broccoli cranberry salad, fresh broccoli side dish