Broccoli Apple Saladrn

close up shot of a serving bowl of Broccoli Apple Salad

So many delicious flavors can be found in this simple broccoli apple salad, from the crisp crunch of the apples to the fresh broccoli to the creamy and tangy dressing.

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Table of Contents

Broccoli Apple Salad Ingredients
How to Make This Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
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You’ll find a great combination of flavors and textures in this broccoli apple salad that is sure to please. The sweetness of the apples pairs perfectly with the crunch of the broccoli, making for a sweet and savory salad and delicious side dish.

Broccoli Apple Salad Ingredients

Broccoli Apple Salad raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

For the Dressing

¾ cup mayonnaise
⅓ cup sour cream
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

For the Salad

4 cups fresh broccoli florets, broken into bite-size pieces (2 medium-size bunches)
2 medium-size Gala apples, cored and diced
¾ cup matchstick carrots
⅔ cup chopped pecans
½ cup chopped cranberries
⅓ cup finely diced red onion

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

MIX-INS: Shredded cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, green onions, and crumbled bacon would all be a great addition to this raw broccoli salad recipe.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: You can substitute fresh lemon juice for apple cider vinegar.

NUTS: You can substitute any chopped nuts for the pecans in this delicious salad.

SOUR CREAM: Plain greek yogurt works well as a substitute for sour cream in plenty of recipes and works well here too.

APPLES: We like to use Royal Gala apples, but you could pick any green or red apples for this sweet side dish. If you prefer another sweeter apple, you can choose Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples.

How to Make This Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

The salad dressing can be made the night before and stored in a mason jar in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

For the Dressing

STEP ONE: Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, and pepper until smooth. Set it aside.

PRO TIP:

If you love this salad and plan to make it frequently, double or even triple the dressing and store the extras in a mason jar in the fridge for next time.

dressing ingredients whisked together in a cup

For the Salad

PRO TIP:

Place the sliced red onions in a small dish of cold water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Soaking the onions in cold water helps remove some of the raw onion taste. It is optional to do. When ready to prepare the salad, drain the onions.

STEP ONE: Using an extra-large bowl, add the broccoli florets, diced apple, carrots, pecans, cranberries, and red onion.

add the broccoli florets, diced apple, carrots, pecans, cranberries, and red onion added to a bowl

STEP TWO: Pour the dressing over the salad, and using a wooden spoon, stir the salad to coat the vegetables thoroughly. Keep the salad in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

dressing poured over the salad and stirred to combine

How To Serve

Serve this apple broccoli salad for a healthy lunch on the go or as a side dish along with our grilled chicken breast, grilled salmon, or burger and our crispy grilled potatoes for a complete dinner option.

Looking for more fresh salads to whip up? Our watermelon salad and cucumber salad are two more favorites.

MORE BROCCOLI RECIPES

Side Dishes

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Casserole Ideas

Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Keep any leftovers of this delicious broccoli apple salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

IN THE FREEZER: We do not recommend freezing broccoli salad. All the fresh ingredients will lose their crisp texture and become soggy.

close up shot of a large bowl and a spoonful of Broccoli Apple Salad

Covered in a creamy dressing, the crunchy broccoli and crisp apples in this easy broccoli salad will make it a new family favorite that is great for a light meal or as the perfect side dish to any of our delicious main courses.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I store this salad?

This great recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to three days.

What are the best apples to use for this recipe?

We used Royal Gala apples for this broccoli and apple salad as we like these sweet apples, but Granny Smith apples would also be a great option in this amazing salad.

How do you cut broccoli for this recipe?

If you are chopping a whole head of broccoli, cut off small florets. Be sure to trim the stems of the florets as well (trim them completely off or leave a small stem). You can also buy store-bought chopped broccoli to save time.

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