Description

This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish combining crisp broccoli florets with sweet Honeycrisp apples, tangy dried cranberries, and crunchy sunflower seeds. Tossed in a creamy honey apple cider vinaigrette and topped with sharp cheddar cheese, this salad balances sweet, savory, and crunchy textures, making it a perfect quick and healthy side or light lunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

4 cups fresh broccoli florets
2 Honeycrisp apples, cored & diced (skin-on)
½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Dressing Ingredients

¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
Salt & pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Broccoli: Wash the broccoli florets thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl.
Add the Apples & Onion: Core and dice the Honeycrisp apples with the skin on to retain extra crunch and color. Thinly slice the red onion and add both the apples and onion to the bowl with the broccoli.
Mix in the Cranberries & Seeds: Gently stir in the dried cranberries and sunflower seeds, distributing them evenly throughout the broccoli and apple mixture.
Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
Toss the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently until all components are well coated with the dressing.
Add Cheese & Serve: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top just before serving. Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

Notes

For extra crunch, use fresh sunflower seeds instead of roasted or salted ones.
You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing option.
Allowing the salad to chill enhances the flavor integration, but avoid letting it sit too long to keep the apples crisp.
Add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans for additional texture and flavor.
Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey in the dressing based on your preference.