Description
This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is a refreshing and crunchy side dish featuring fresh broccoli, sweet Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, roasted sunflower seeds, sharp cheddar cheese, and optional bacon, all brought together with a creamy honey apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a healthy addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 heads of fresh broccoli, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup roasted sunflower seeds
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the chopped broccoli, diced Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, roasted sunflower seeds, finely chopped red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon if using.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Dressing to Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss all ingredients until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing, taking care not to bruise the apples.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Before serving, give the salad a quick toss to redistribute the dressing evenly if needed.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon.
- Chilling the salad helps enhance the flavor and texture.
- Use freshly chopped broccoli for the best crunch.
- Honeycrisp apples provide a sweet and crisp contrast; other apple varieties can substitute but may alter the taste.
- Add more or less honey in the dressing depending on your sweetness preference.
