Zesty Broccoli Apple Crunch Salad Recipe: Fresh & Lively Lunch

Crisp textures dance together in this vibrant broccoli apple crunch salad recipe that bursts with refreshing flavors.

Sweet and tangy notes mingle beautifully with crunchy green florets and juicy apples.

Chopped nuts add a delightful unexpected twist to this simple yet stunning dish.

Every forkful delivers a symphony of contrasting textures that wake up your taste buds.

The light dressing ties all ingredients into a harmonious blend of brightness and satisfaction.

Packed with nutrients and zesty charm, this salad stands ready to become your new favorite quick and healthy meal companion.

Dive into a culinary adventure that promises both nutrition and pure deliciousness.

Kitchen Items to Prep Crunchy Apple Broccoli Salad

• Mixing bowl (medium): Perfect for whisking together creamy dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, and honey into a silky consistency.
• Large salad bowl: Spacious container for tossing and mixing all salad ingredients together.
• Cutting board: Solid surface for chopping broccoli, apples, carrots, onions, and nuts.
• Chef's knife: Sharp blade for precise vegetable and fruit dicing.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning salt and other seasonings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Crunchy Broccoli Apple Salad

• Greek Yogurt: Creamy foundation that adds tangy richness and protein boost.
• Mayonnaise: Smooth binding element for silky texture and subtle depth.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Bright acidic punch that balances and elevates flavor profile.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that softens tartness and provides gentle golden undertone.

• Broccoli Florets: Robust green vegetable offering crisp bite and nutritional powerhouse.
• Carrots: Sweet vibrant vegetable adding natural crunch and beautiful orange color.
• Walnuts: Earthy protein-rich nuts delivering nutty crunch and healthy omega-3 fats.
• Red Onion: Sharp aromatic ingredient providing zesty bite and colorful contrast.

• Apples: Crisp, juicy fruit bringing refreshing sweetness and delightful textural contrast.
• Golden Raisins, Cranberries: Chewy dried fruits introducing bursts of concentrated sweetness.
• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that harmonizes and intensifies overall taste experience.

How to Toss a Fresh Broccoli Apple Salad

Broccoli Apple Crunch Salad

• Creamy Dressing Foundation

Whip up a tangy blend using Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey. Sprinkle in a hint of salt to elevate the flavor profile. Let the mixture chill and develop its delicious character while you prep the other components.

• Fresh Ingredient Symphony

Chop crisp broccoli florets, juicy apples, crunchy walnuts, vibrant carrots, sweet raisins, and zesty red onion into a large bowl. The goal is creating a colorful medley that promises exciting textures and flavors in every bite.

• Flavor Fusion

Drizzle the chilled dressing over the ingredient ensemble. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each morsel gets a luxurious coating. The magic happens when the creamy dressing embraces the fresh ingredients, transforming them into a delightful culinary experience.

• Serving Celebration

Present the salad immediately to capture its peak freshness. The combination of crisp vegetables, sweet fruits, and rich dressing creates a vibrant dish that will surprise and delight your taste buds. Perfect for a quick lunch or a stunning side at any gathering.

Variations: Cheese, Nuts, and Dressing Swaps

• Cool Crunch Customization: Swap walnuts with almonds or pecans for a different nutty profile that adds exciting texture to every bite.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dressing and chop vegetables up to 24 hours in advance, storing them separately to maintain maximum crispness and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Protein Power Boost: Enhance the salad's nutritional value by adding grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, or crumbled feta cheese for a hearty and satisfying meal option.
• Seasonal Swap Strategy: During summer, use fresh berries instead of raisins; in autumn, try roasted butternut squash cubes to complement the broccoli's green crunch.
• Creamy Dressing Twist: For a lighter version, replace some mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or experiment with adding Dijon mustard for an extra tangy kick that elevates the entire salad's flavor profile.

Serve Salad Cold for Picnics or Meal Prep

• Fresh Picnic Companion: Pack this vibrant salad in a mason jar or sealed container for delightful outdoor meals at parks, beaches, or family gatherings.
• Gourmet Side Dish: Serve alongside grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or lean turkey to elevate a protein-focused main course with refreshing crunch and tangy sweetness.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare the salad components separately, storing dressing and chopped ingredients in different containers to maintain crisp textures and prevent sogginess for easy weekday lunches or quick workplace meals.
• Festive Holiday Addition: Bring this colorful salad to potlucks, thanksgiving gatherings, or winter celebrations as a nutritious and visually appealing dish that stands out among traditional side offerings.

Keep Crunchy Apple Salad Crisp in Storage

• Refrigerator Storage Magic: Keep your Broccoli Apple Crunch Salad sealed in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. The crunchy texture might soften slightly, but the flavors will continue to develop and blend deliciously.
• Quick Prep Tip: Chop broccoli and apples just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent browning. Storing dressing separately can help ingredients stay fresher and more vibrant.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Store nuts and crispy elements like walnuts in a separate small container to prevent them from becoming soggy. Add these crunchy toppings right before serving for the perfect textural contrast.
• Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare the dressing and chop vegetables up to 24 hours in advance. Keep ingredients in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator, then mix just before your meal for the freshest, most appetizing salad experience.

Vibrant Broccoli Apple Crunch Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Crisp broccoli apple crunch salad delivers a refreshing mix of textures and flavors from garden-fresh ingredients. Nutty pecans and tangy dressing elevate this simple side dish you will crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (960 ml) broccoli florets, small diced
• 2 small gala apples, cored and diced
• 1 cup (240 ml) walnuts
• 1 cup (240 ml) matchstick carrots, roughly chopped
• ½ cup (120 ml) golden raisins or dried cranberries
• ¼ cup (60 ml) red onion, chopped
• ¾ cup (180 ml) Greek yogurt, plain
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) mayonnaise, full fat (Hellman’s or Best Foods)
• 1 ½ tbsps (22 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) honey
• salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a medium bowl until smooth. Season with salt and refrigerate to meld flavors while preparing remaining ingredients.
2. Ingredient Transformation: Chop broccoli into bite-sized florets, cube apples, finely dice red onion, rough-chop walnuts, and slice carrots into delicate strips. Ensure uniform, consistent sizes for balanced texture and presentation.
3. Salad Assembly: Combine broccoli, apples, walnuts, carrots, golden raisins, and red onion in a spacious bowl. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly, creating a harmonious blend of colors and textures.
4. Dressing Integration: Remove chilled dressing from refrigerator and drizzle over salad mixture. Fold ingredients carefully, ensuring complete and uniform coating of each component with the creamy, tangy dressing.
5. Flavor Melding: Let salad rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop a deeper, more complex flavor profile while maintaining a crisp, fresh character.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Letting the salad rest for 10-15 minutes before serving allows ingredients to marinate, enhancing overall taste and texture.
• Prep Precision Matters: Cut broccoli florets and apples into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even dressing distribution and balanced eating experience.
• Customize Your Crunch: Substitute walnuts with almonds or pecans for different nutty profiles, or add sunflower seeds for extra textural variation.
• Dressing Dynamics: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy consistency that coats ingredients evenly without clumping.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg