Description
Crisp honeycrisp apple broccoli salad brings farm-fresh flavors dancing across your plate with delightful crunch and zesty notes. Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a refreshing dish you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables and Fruits:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple, diced
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) shredded carrots
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) red onion, finely diced
Dried and Crunchy Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) dried cranberries
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) chopped pecans (or almonds or walnuts)
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
Dressing Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) black pepper
Instructions
- Craft a zesty emulsion by whisking mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a compact mixing vessel until smooth and well-integrated.
- Evaluate the flavor profile and calibrate seasonings to personal preference, ensuring a harmonious blend of tangy and sweet notes.
- Transfer chopped broccoli florets into a spacious preparation bowl, creating a verdant foundation for the salad.
- Introduce crisp Honeycrisp apple cubes, adding a vibrant crunch and subtle sweetness to the mixture.
- Scatter shredded carrots throughout the bowl, enhancing the salad’s textural complexity and visual appeal.
- Sprinkle dried cranberries for bursts of tart-sweet flavor and ruby-like color accents.
- Incorporate toasted pecans, providing a rich, nutty dimension and satisfying crunch.
- Mince red onion finely and disperse evenly, contributing a sharp, aromatic undertone.
- Optional: Integrate shredded cheddar cheese for creamy, savory undertones.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the assembled ingredients, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating.
- If desired, garnish with crispy bacon fragments for an additional layer of smoky indulgence.
- Refrigerate the salad for approximately 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Serve thoroughly chilled, presenting a refreshing and vibrant culinary composition.
Notes
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that keeps the creamy texture.
- Toast pecans beforehand to intensify their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
- Use sharp cheddar instead of mild for a more robust cheese profile that complements the sweet apple and tangy dressing.
- Make the salad vegan by replacing bacon with roasted sunflower seeds and using vegan mayo or cashew cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg