HONEYCRISP APPLE BROCCOLI BLISS

Are you tired of the same old boring salads? Craving something with a delightful crunch, a burst of sweetness, and a healthy dose of veggies? Look no further! We’re about to embark on a culinary adventure, crafting the most amazing Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad- Crisp & Sweet you’ve ever tasted. Get ready to wow your taste buds and your friends with this simple yet sensational dish!

Gathering Your Heavenly Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to create this masterpiece. Don’t worry if you need to make substitutions – we’ll talk about those later! The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility.

For the Salad:

• Fresh Broccoli Florets: About 4 cups, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Honeycrisp Apples: 2 medium, cored and diced (leave the skin on for extra color and nutrients!)
• Red Onion: 1/4 cup, finely chopped.
• Dried Cranberries: 1/2 cup. I love the tartness they bring!
• Sunflower Seeds: 1/4 cup. Adds a wonderful nutty crunch.
• Crispy Cooked Bacon: 6 slices, crumbled (optional, but highly recommended!).

For the Dressing:

• Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 tablespoons.
• Honey: 2 tablespoons (adjust to your sweetness preference).
• Dijon Mustard: 1 teaspoon.
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste).
• Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste).

Step-by-Step to Broccoli Salad Perfection

Let’s get started! This recipe is so easy, you’ll be enjoying your delicious salad in no time.

Preparing the Ingredients:

1. Wash and prep your broccoli: Make sure to thoroughly wash your broccoli florets. Cut them into small, bite-sized pieces. Nobody wants to wrestle with giant broccoli chunks in their salad!
2. Dice the Honeycrisp Apples: Core your apples and dice them into small, even pieces. I prefer to leave the skin on for the added fiber and color, but you can peel them if you prefer.
3. Chop the Red Onion: Finely chop the red onion. A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it! If you find red onion too strong, you can soak it in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor.
4. Cook the Bacon (if using): Cook your bacon until crispy. Let it cool slightly, then crumble it into small pieces. Trust me, the bacon adds a smoky, savory element that takes this salad to the next level!

Making the Dressing:

1. Whisk it all together: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. If you prefer a tangier dressing, add a bit more apple cider vinegar. If you like it sweeter, add a touch more honey.

Assembling the Salad:

1. Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, diced Honeycrisp apples, chopped red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon (if using).
2. Dress it up!: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine. Make sure everything is evenly coated.
3. Chill time (optional): For the best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the broccoli to soften slightly. However, it’s also delicious served immediately!

Why Honeycrisp Apples Reign Supreme

Let’s be honest, not all apples are created equal. While you *could* use other varieties, Honeycrisp apples truly make this salad sing! Here’s why:

• Crispness: As the name suggests, Honeycrisp apples have an incredible crispness that holds up beautifully in salads. They don’t get mushy like some other varieties.
• Sweetness: They boast a perfectly balanced sweetness that complements the broccoli and other ingredients.
• Juiciness: Each bite is bursting with juicy goodness, adding another layer of flavor and texture.

If you absolutely can’t find Honeycrisp apples, you could try Fuji or Gala, but honestly, the Honeycrisp is worth the search!

Tips for Broccoli Salad Success

Here are a few extra tips and tricks to ensure your Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is a resounding success:

• Don’t overdress! Start with a smaller amount of dressing and add more as needed. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
• Prep ahead: You can chop the broccoli, dice the apples, and chop the red onion a day ahead of time. Just store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This will save you time when you’re ready to assemble the salad.
• Add some protein: For a heartier salad, add some grilled chicken, turkey, or chickpeas.
• Make it dairy-free: Use a vegan mayonnaise alternative to make this salad dairy-free.
• Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet salad, reduce the amount of honey in the dressing.

Variations to Make it Your Own

This recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to get creative and customize it to your liking! Here are a few ideas:

• Add cheese: A sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese or crumbled feta cheese would be delicious. Speaking of feta and apples, have you tried HONEYCRISP APPLE FETA PERFECTION? It’s another winner!
• Add nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or almonds would add a delicious crunch.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a little heat.
• Use different dried fruit: Raisins or chopped dates would be a good substitute for dried cranberries.
• Add grapes: Halved red or green grapes would add a juicy sweetness.

Serving Suggestions & Storage

This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, barbecues, or even a light lunch. It pairs well with grilled chicken, burgers, or sandwiches. It’s also a great side dish for holiday meals.

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the broccoli and apples may soften slightly over time, but the salad will still be delicious!

Beyond Broccoli: Other Apple Delights

If you’re as obsessed with apples as I am, you’ll love these other recipes! For a comforting dessert, try APPLE COBBLER. And if you’re looking for another stunning salad option, AUTUMN APPLE SALAD is a must-try. It is bursting with fall flavors and textures!

And if you’re looking for something completely different, but still packed with flavor, check out this KIELBASA BROCCOLI SKILLET or this KIELBASA BROCCOLI SKILLET. Different name, same deliciousness! Or, if you are craving something more similar, try this APPLE BROCCOLI SALAD!

Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Crisp & Sweet!

So there you have it! A simple, delicious, and versatile Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad that’s sure to become a new favorite. I hope you enjoy making and eating this salad as much as I do. Remember to have fun in the kitchen, experiment with different flavors, and most importantly, enjoy the process! Happy cooking!

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Bliss Salad

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors with a satisfying crunch. It’s a simple and versatile dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch, offering a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Small bowl
• Whisk
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Colander
• Skillet or frying pan (for bacon)
• Spatula or tongs (for bacon)

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 medium Honeycrisp apples, cored and diced
• ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds
• 6 slices crispy cooked bacon, crumbled optional
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

 

• Wash and prep the broccoli florets. Cut them into small, bite-sized pieces.
• Core the Honeycrisp apples and dice them into small, even pieces. Leave the skin on for added fiber and color if desired.
• Finely chop the red onion. To mellow the flavor, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes if desired.
• If using bacon, cook until crispy. Let it cool slightly, then crumble into small pieces.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, diced Honeycrisp apples, chopped red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon (if using).
• Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
• For best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the broccoli to soften slightly. However, it can also be served immediately.

Notes

For a dairy-free option, use vegan mayonnaise. To prevent browning, toss the diced apples with a little lemon juice before adding them to the salad. The salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though the broccoli and apples may soften slightly over time. Consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas for a heartier meal. To adjust the sweetness, modify the amount of honey in the dressing.