Description
A crisp and refreshing Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad that combines crunchy broccoli florets, sweet diced Honeycrisp apples, tart dried cranberries, crunchy sliced almonds, and sharp cheddar cheese, all tossed with a creamy honey apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or as a vibrant side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, diced
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the Honeycrisp apples into bite-sized pieces, separate the broccoli into small florets, thinly slice the red onion, and measure out the dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the diced apples, broccoli florets, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and red onion, mixing them gently to combine evenly.
- Make Dressing: In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and well emulsified to create a creamy dressing.
- Dress Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the bowl with the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat all components evenly with the dressing.
- Add Cheese: Gently fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the dressed salad, making sure it is well incorporated without breaking the cheese shreds.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly, enhancing the taste and texture.
Notes
- Use Honeycrisp apples for their perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, and to ensure crisp texture that holds up in the salad.
- For a nut-free version, omit the sliced almonds or substitute with pumpkin seeds.
- The salad can be made a few hours ahead but is best served within 24 hours for freshness.
- Add a little extra honey if a sweeter dressing is preferred.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
