If you’re looking for a bold burst of color and crunch in your salad routine, the Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is about to soar to the top of your must-make list. This lively dish brings together crisp, sweet apples and fresh broccoli for a combo that’s both nutritious and full of bright, refreshing flavors. Tossed with a creamy, tangy dressing and finished with pops of dried cranberries, roasted sunflower seeds, and an optional shower of feta, it’s a salad that transforms any table into a vibrant celebration. Whether you’re prepping for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this salad’s sweet-savory balance guarantees everyone will be diving in for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best thing about making Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is how few ingredients you need—and how each contributes a different pop of color, taste, or crunch. Simple, straight-from-the-market produce and a speedy homemade dressing are all you need to let these bright fall flavors shine.

Fresh broccoli florets: The sturdy green base gives the salad its irresistible crunch and gets better as it soaks up the dressing.
Honeycrisp apples: With a snappy bite and sweetness that pairs perfectly with broccoli, these apples add juicy crunch to every forkful.
Shredded carrots: They bring earthy sweetness and gorgeous color to the mix, making the salad as pretty as it is tasty.
Red onion: Just a little bit, finely diced, delivers sharpness and contrast that balances the sweetness of the apples and cranberries.
Dried cranberries: These beauties give a punch of tart flavor and chewy texture, making every bite interesting.
Roasted sunflower seeds: For a nutty crunch that pulls everything together—plus, they’re allergy-friendly!
Feta cheese (optional): Creamy, salty, and tangy; it’s fantastic but totally skippable if you want a dairy-free salad.
Mayonnaise: This creates the silky smooth base for the dressing; Greek yogurt can also be used for a lighter touch.
Apple cider vinegar: Gives brightness and tang, pulling all the ingredients into cohesive, crave-worthy harmony.
Honey: Natural sweetness brings out the best in the apples and balances the vinegar in the dressing.
Salt and black pepper: Just enough to highlight every bold and juicy flavor in the bowl.

How to Make Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

Step 1: Prep the Produce

Kick things off by chopping the broccoli into bite-sized florets, dicing the Honeycrisp apples, grating or shredding your carrots, and mincing the red onion. The magic is in the details—take your time and aim for small, uniform pieces that mix beautifully and make your salad easy to eat.

Step 2: Toss the Salad Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add the broccoli, apples, carrots, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and feta cheese (if you’re adding it). Give everything a gentle toss to combine; these gorgeous layers set the stage for the dressing that’s coming up next.

Step 3: Whisk Up the Dressing

In a smaller bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, a dash of salt, and a crack of black pepper until it’s smooth and glossy. Don’t rush this step—the better it’s blended, the creamier your Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad will be in the end.

Step 4: Dress and Toss

Pour the dreamy dressing all over the broccoli mixture, then toss everything gently but thoroughly. Each piece should be lightly coated; this ensures every bite is packed with flavor. If you love a lighter salad, use half the dressing at first and add more to taste.

Step 5: Chill for Best Flavor

For a truly irresistible Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This time lets the dressing mingle with the veggies and fruit, making every bite crisper and more flavorful.

How to Serve Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

Garnishes

Give your salad a festive finish with a few extra dried cranberries, another sprinkle of sunflower seeds, or a crumble of feta right before serving. These last-minute touches invite your guests to dive in fork-first and make each serving look like it belongs in a magazine.

Side Dishes

The sweet and tangy flavors of Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad play beautifully alongside roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or your favorite veggie burgers. It’s a vibrant companion for holiday spreads, picnics, or even a simple soup-and-salad weeknight dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

Spoon your Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad into hollowed-out apple halves for a showstopping appetizer. Or serve it layered in mason jars for a portable, picnic-ready option—everyone gets their own personal parade of colors and crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftover Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad, just pop it in an airtight container in the fridge. The good news? The flavors get even better the next day as everything soaks up more of that creamy dressing. Aim to enjoy leftovers within 2-3 days for best crunch.

Freezing

Because of the fresh produce and creamy dressing, freezing isn’t recommended for Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad. The textures of broccoli and apples change after thawing, and the dressing can separate or become watery. Fresh is best here!

Reheating

Luckily, there’s no need to reheat this gorgeous salad. Simply give it a gentle toss straight from the fridge to refresh the ingredients, and set out a few minutes before serving so it’s not ice-cold but still refreshingly crisp.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Salad

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples offer a delightful sweet-tart crunch, Fuji or Pink Lady apples make lovely stand-ins. Just look for something crisp and flavorful to keep that signature texture in your salad.

How can I make this salad vegan?

Skip the feta cheese and swap out the mayonnaise for a vegan alternative or your favorite plant-based yogurt. A drizzle of maple syrup can easily replace the honey in the dressing to keep it fully vegan and just as delicious.

Should I blanch the broccoli first?

No need! Raw broccoli florets are key to the satisfying crunch in Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad. If you prefer them a little softer, a very quick blanch (just one minute in boiling water, then a cold rinse) will do the trick.

Can I make Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad ahead of time?

Yes! This salad is actually even tastier after it chills for a few hours, which allows the dressing to soak into every bite. Just wait to add the sunflower seeds and any garnishes until right before serving for maximum crunch.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes, every ingredient in Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your mayonnaise and any add-ins to be sure you’re keeping it gluten-free for everyone at the table.

Final Thoughts

The vibrant freshness and sweet-savory harmony of Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is impossible to resist, whether you’re a salad lover or just need a side that steals the show. Give it a try for your next meal and savor every crisp, creamy, colorful bite—you might just discover your new favorite way to enjoy apples and broccoli together!

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling time, optional)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is a delightful mix of fresh broccoli, sweet Honeycrisp apples, crunchy sunflower seeds, and tangy dried cranberries, all tossed in a creamy dressing. It’s a perfect side dish for any occasion!

Ingredients

Scale

Fresh Broccoli Salad:

4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
2 Honeycrisp apples, cored and chopped
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup roasted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine broccoli, apples, carrots, red onion, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and feta cheese.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
Combine: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well coated.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Serve: Enjoy chilled!

Notes

You can use Greek yogurt as a lighter alternative to mayonnaise.
For a dairy-free option, omit the feta cheese.
Try toasted almonds or chopped pecans instead of sunflower seeds for a different crunch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American