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Broccoli Apple Salad
This broccoli apple salad mixes sweet apples and fresh broccoli in a creamy, homemade dressing. Make it fast for potlucks, dinners, or any busy day.
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This broccoli apple salad is sweet, crunchy, and full of fresh ingredients tossed in a creamy homemade dressing. Each bite has crisp apples, chewy cranberries, and savory bacon for the best flavor combo. It’s perfect for potlucks, summer cookouts, or quick weeknight dinners. Make this easy salad in just minutes using simple ingredients from your fridge and pantry.
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You can toss together this healthy broccoli apple salad in just twenty-five minutes with crisp apples, bacon, and crunchy sunflower seeds. The creamy dressing adds a sweet and tangy kick that makes every bite extra tasty.
Serve it at cookouts, family dinners, or any last-minute potluck. It’s fresh, fast, and always gets people coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
What you'll need to make this broccoli apple salad recipe:
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: Toss in shredded cheddar, sunflower seeds, green onions, or crumbled bacon to boost flavor and crunch in this broccoli salad.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Swap in fresh lemon juice if you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand.
Nuts: Use any chopped nuts you like in place of the pecans in this crunchy salad.
Sour Cream: Plain Greek yogurt makes a great stand-in for sour cream and works perfectly in this recipe.
Apples: Royal Gala apples taste great, but Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or any sweet red or green apples work well too.
How to Make Broccoli Apple Salad
Pro Tip
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.
Follow along with our step-by-step pictures and easy directions to make this easy broccoli apple salad at home. We’ve listed simple tips and tricks below to help you get it just right. Let’s get started!
For the Dressing
FIRST STEP: 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.
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.
FIRST STEP: Using an extra-large bowl, add the broccoli florets, diced apple, carrots, pecans, cranberries, and red onion.
SECOND STEP: 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.
How To Serve Broccoli Apple Salad
This broccoli apple salad makes a crunchy, sweet, and savory side for almost any meal. You can serve it all year long for different occasions.
- Perfect for potlucks and cookouts: Bring this to your next potluck or summer cookout. The sweet apples and bacon crunch go great with grilled chicken or pulled pork sliders.
- Great for holiday dinners and parties: Serve it at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or family dinners. The fresh flavor pairs well with baked ham or slow cooker ranch pork chops.
- Fun for school lunches or family dinners: Kids love the apples and creamy dressing. Pack it with chicken nuggets or cheeseburger pie for an easy lunch or dinner.
Why You'll Love This Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe
Broccoli apple salad with cranberries is a go-to favorite because it’s quick, fresh, and packed with crunchy, creamy, sweet-and-savory goodness. Readers love how fast it comes together and how easily it fits any meal or season.
- You can toss everything together in just twenty-five minutes with no cooking required.
- Each bite brings crisp and crunchy texture from the fresh broccoli, apples, sunflower seeds, and bacon. Kids love the sweet apples and creamy dressing, so you won’t hear complaints at the table.
- This salad works all year long, whether it’s for summer picnics, fall dinners, or holiday gatherings. You can also swap in different apples, nuts, or mix-ins based on what you have at home.
- Make it ahead of time and pull it from the fridge when you're ready to serve.
No wonder this broccoli apple salad keeps readers coming back—it’s tasty, fast, and totally doable.
Recipe FAQ
Can I make broccoli apple salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make broccoli apple salad a few hours ahead. Just wait to add the dressing until serving time.
Do I need to cook the broccoli first?
No, you do not need to cook the broccoli. Raw broccoli keeps the salad crisp and gives it a fresh crunch.
How fine should I chop the broccoli for this salad?
Chop your broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces so it mixes well and is easy to eat.
Should I peel the apples before adding them?
No, you don’t need to peel the apples. The skin adds color and crunch to your broccoli apple salad.
What’s the best way to mix the dressing for broccoli apple salad?
Use a small bowl to whisk the dressing until smooth, then pour it over the salad and toss everything together.
Can I use bottled dressing instead of homemade?
Yes, you can use bottled dressing. Choose a creamy, slightly sweet dressing that pairs well with apples and broccoli.
Serving FAQ
Is broccoli apple salad with nuts good for holiday dinners?
Yes, broccoli salad adds fresh flavor and crunch to holiday meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinners. Scoop the salad into a large bowl with a spoon and let guests serve themselves.
Can I serve broccoli apple salad at room temperature?
Yes, you can enjoy broccoli apple salad cold or at room temperature.
Can I pack broccoli apple salad in a lunchbox?
Yes, broccoli apple salad works great in lunchboxes. Use a small container with a tight lid to keep it fresh. Kids like this salad because of the sweet apples, creamy dressing, and crispy bacon bits.
How much broccoli apple salad should I serve per person?
Plan for about ½ to 1 cup of broccoli apple salad per person, depending on the size of the meal.
Storage FAQ
Follow the directions, tips, and tricks below to store your broccoli apple salad the right way. This will help keep the salad fresh, crisp, and ready to serve whenever you need it. Stick to these easy storage tips for the best taste and texture.
How long will broccoli apple salad stay fresh in the fridge?
Store broccoli apple salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to three days.
Can I make broccoli apple salad a day ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep it one day ahead. Just wait to add the dressing until right before serving.
Should I store the dressing separately?
Yes, store the dressing in a small container and mix it with the salad when you’re ready to eat.
What’s the best way to keep the apples from turning brown?
Chop the apples just before serving, or toss them with lemon juice before mixing them into the salad.
Can I store leftovers after adding the dressing?
Yes, you can store dressed salad in the fridge, but the broccoli and apples may soften after a day.
Can I freeze broccoli apple salad?
No, freezing isn’t a good idea. The fresh ingredients lose their texture after thawing.
Broccoli Apple Salad
This broccoli apple salad mixes sweet apples and fresh broccoli in a creamy, homemade dressing. Make it fast for potlucks, dinners, or any busy day.
Did you try this recipe?Let our readers know how it turned out by Leaving a Review!
Ingredients
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
Salad
- 4 cups broccoli florets (broken into bite-size pieces (2 medium-size bunches))
- 2 medium Gala apples (cored and diced)
- ¾ cup matchstick carrots
- ⅔ cup pecans (chopped)
- ½ cup cranberries (chopped)
- ⅓ cup red onion (finely diced)
DIRECTIONS
Dressing
- 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.
Salad
- Using an extra-large mixing bowl, add the broccoli florets, diced apple, carrots, pecans, cranberries, and red onion.
- 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.
Notes
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Nutrition
Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 317mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2360IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Kerry Montoya says
Looking to try this tonight. Sounds yummy,
Tracy says
Really enjoyed this salad! The broccoli stayed crisp and the apples added just the right sweetness. The dressing was simple but tasty. Even my picky kids tried it and didn’t run away. Will make it again for lunch or a side.