Description
This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is a refreshing and crunchy side dish that combines crisp apples, fresh broccoli, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and sharp cheddar cheese. Tossed in a creamy honey-mustard dressing and chilled to enhance the flavors, this salad is perfect for family meals, potlucks, or as a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 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 Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the Honeycrisp apples into bite-sized pieces, wash and cut the broccoli into florets, thinly slice the red onion, and shred the sharp cheddar cheese if not pre-shredded.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the diced apples, broccoli florets, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and red onion until well distributed.
- Make Dressing: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing, taking care not to bruise the apples.
- Add Cheese: Fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become crisp and refreshing.
- Serve: After chilling, give the salad one gentle toss before serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.
Notes
- For added texture, you can toast the sliced almonds lightly before adding them.
- If you prefer a tangier dressing, increase the amount of apple cider vinegar slightly.
- This salad is best served chilled and consumed within 2 days for optimal freshness.
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- Feel free to add cooked bacon or sunflower seeds for added crunch and flavor variations.
