Bright, crunchy, creamy, and bursting with sweet-tart flavor, this Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe is the kind of dish you’ll crave all year long. Picture crisp broccoli, juicy Honeycrisp apple, sweet cranberries, red onion, nutty seeds, and sharp cheddar, all tossed in a luscious Greek yogurt dressing that balances tang and sweetness perfectly. It’s equally at home alongside weeknight meals, at a festive potluck, or as a fresh lunch on its own—this salad always delivers bold color, irresistible crunch, and crowd-pleasing appeal!

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe is in the vibrant blend of simple ingredients, each one picked for flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Every component matters, coming together for a salad you’ll love to show off and savor.

Fresh Broccoli Florets: These bring crisp crunch and a beautiful green backdrop to the salad—choose tight, fresh florets for the best texture.
Honeycrisp Apple: Their juicy, sweet-tart flavor is the true star, and their firmness means they won’t go mushy even after dressing.
Dried Cranberries: A pop of chewy sweetness that plays perfectly off the apple and adds a gorgeous ruby color.
Chopped Red Onion: Delivers just the right amount of zippy bite, balancing the creamy and sweet notes.
Sunflower Seeds or Chopped Walnuts: Choose sunflower seeds for a nutty crunch or walnuts for richness—both give great texture.
Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Bold and tangy cheddar ties the flavors together and gives a creamy finish.
Plain Greek Yogurt: A lighter, tangy base for the dressing that boosts creaminess without heaviness.
Mayonnaise: Just enough to make the dressing smooth and luxuriously silky—skip or swap as you wish.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds a punch of acidity to brighten and bring all the ingredients into harmony.
Honey: One tablespoon of honey sweetens the dressing and echoes the apple’s natural flavor.
Salt and Pepper: A pinch or two fine-tunes all the flavors to perfection, don’t forget to taste and adjust!

How to Make Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe

Step 1: Get Prepping

Start by getting all your fresh ingredients ready—wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli florets, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Dice your Honeycrisp apple shortly before tossing to keep it extra fresh. This prep work sets the stage for a salad that’s colorful and crunchy in every bite.

Step 2: Mix the Salad Base

Grab your largest mixing bowl and combine the chopped broccoli, diced Honeycrisp apple, dried cranberries, red onion, sunflower seeds (or walnuts), and shredded cheddar cheese. Using a big bowl makes it much easier to toss everything together and ensures even distribution of flavors.

Step 3: Whisk the Creamy Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until it’s ultra-smooth and creamy. The dressing should taste tangy, sweet, and just salty enough—adjust the seasoning if you like. This mixture is the secret to the signature flavor of a great Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe!

Step 4: Combine and Toss

Pour the dressing over your big bowl of salad, then gently toss until all the broccoli and apple pieces are evenly coated. Doing this with care helps keep the apples crisp and the salad gorgeous and not mushy.

Step 5: Chill and Meld

Cover your salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld, and the broccoli to soften just the tiniest bit—making each forkful vibrant and cohesive. For extra crunch, you can sprinkle a fresh handful of seeds or nuts on top just before serving.

How to Serve Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe

Garnishes

A final sprinkle of toasted sunflower seeds, walnuts, or even extra dried cranberries can add crunchy charm and visual excitement to your Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe. A little fresh cracked black pepper right before serving also wakes up the flavors.

Side Dishes

This salad plays well with so many dishes—think grilled chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, turkey sandwiches, or even as a side for barbecue or holiday ham. The Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe’s sweet-tart crunch brings balance to hearty or savory mains.

Creative Ways to Present

Try scooping the salad into cute mason jars for picnics and lunches, or serve as lettuce wraps for a light and fun appetizer. You can even pile it onto crostini as a fresh party bite, or layer over a bed of greens for a show-stopping fall-inspired entrée salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to blend, and the apples and broccoli retain their satisfying crunch. Just give it a quick toss before serving again for best texture.

Freezing

This salad isn’t ideal for freezing—the fresh apples and broccoli don’t thaw well and tend to lose their crispness. For the best results, enjoy your Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe fresh from the fridge.

Reheating

No reheating needed! This salad should always be served chilled. If you’ve had it in the fridge, simply let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to take off the chill.

FAQs

Can I make Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Omit the cheddar cheese and substitute the Greek yogurt with your favorite plant-based yogurt. Be sure your mayonnaise is dairy-free as well, and you’ll have a salad everyone can enjoy.

What other apples can I use if I can’t find Honeycrisp?

Honeycrisp’s sweetness and crunch are special, but Fuji, Pink Lady, or Gala apples work well too—just look for an apple that holds its shape and offers great crunch.

Is there a way to make this salad nut-free?

Of course! Opt for plain sunflower seeds instead of walnuts or other nuts, or simply leave the nuts and seeds out altogether for an allergy-friendly version.

How far in advance can I prepare this salad?

You can make this salad up to 24 hours ahead; the flavors will meld and become even more delicious. For the best texture, add the nuts or seeds just before serving so they stay crisp.

Can I use store-bought dressing instead of homemade?

While the homemade dressing gives this Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe its signature flavor, you can substitute with your favorite bottled creamy dressing in a pinch—look for one with tangy and slightly sweet notes for the closest flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dish that effortlessly blends fresh crunch, tangy-sweet flavor, and vibrant color, you’ll fall in love with this Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes the salad everyone requests at your table!

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

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Description

This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is a delightful blend of fresh broccoli, sweet Honeycrisp apples, tangy dried cranberries, and crunchy sunflower seeds, all tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing. It’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a refreshing and nutritious salad choice.

Ingredients

Scale

Broccoli Salad:

4 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 large Honeycrisp apple, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Dressing:

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, apple, cranberries, red onion, sunflower seeds, and cheddar cheese.
Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
Toss: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss well to coat evenly.
Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Serve: Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

You can swap sunflower seeds for chopped almonds or pecans for a different crunch.
For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese and use a plant-based yogurt alternative in the dressing.

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