The Crispiest Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad Recipe Ever

Crisp broccoli and apple crunch salad revamps ordinary lunch routines into vibrant culinary adventures.

Green florets and sweet fruit dance together in a delightful nutritional symphony.

Crunchy textures blend seamlessly with unexpected flavor combinations that surprise and delight the palate.

Nutritionists praise this recipe as a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals that energize your body.

Raw ingredients maintain their structural integrity, creating a refreshing dish that feels simultaneously light and satisfying.

Healthy eating never looked more tempting or felt more effortless.

Your taste buds will thank you for this ingenious blend of fresh, wholesome goodness.

What’s Great About Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad

• Boost Nutrition Instantly: Packed with vitamins from broccoli, apples, and carrots, this salad delivers a powerful health punch in every colorful bite.
• Create Textural Magic: Crisp broccoli, crunchy pecans, and sweet apple chunks provide an incredible mix of textures that dance delightfully on your palate.
• Simplify Meal Prep: With basic chopping and a quick blanching technique, this recipe transforms fresh ingredients into a gourmet-style salad in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.

What You’ll Need for Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad

• Broccoli: Fresh, crisp vegetable with a mild, slightly bitter taste that adds nutritional value and green color to the salad.
• Apple: Sweet and crunchy fruit that provides a refreshing contrast to the broccoli and adds natural sweetness.
• Carrots: Bright orange vegetable that brings additional crunch and subtle sweetness to the salad.
• Red Onions: Sharp-flavored ingredient that adds a zesty bite and colorful accent to the dish.
• Dried Cranberries: Tart and sweet dried fruit that contributes a chewy texture and vibrant color.

• Pecans: Rich, buttery nuts that provide a satisfying crunch and deep, earthy flavor to the salad.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that helps bind the dressing and adds richness.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Tangy liquid that balances the dressing and adds a bright, acidic note.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that complements the other ingredients and softens the vinegar's sharpness.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances the overall flavor of the salad.
• Black Pepper: Subtle spice that adds depth and mild heat to the dressing.

Step-by-Step Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Broccoli Florets

Thoroughly rinse broccoli under cool water. Carefully chop into small, bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Blanch Broccoli

Fill a medium pot with water and heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Add a pinch of salt. Gently lower broccoli florets into the boiling water, using a spatula to submerge them completely.

Step 3: Cool Broccoli

Cook broccoli for exactly 2 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare a large bowl filled with ice water. Quickly drain the broccoli and immediately transfer to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let sit for 2 minutes, then drain thoroughly.

Step 4: Create Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, combine all dressing ingredients and whisk until smooth and well blended.

Step 5: Combine Salad Ingredients

• Blanched broccoli
• Crisp apples
• Dried cranberries
• Thinly sliced onions
• Shredded carrots
• Chopped pecans

Toss everything together until evenly coated.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the salad for 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold and enjoy the refreshing crunch.

Smart Tips for Better Broccoli and Apple Salad

• Blanch Broccoli Perfectly: Briefly boil florets for exactly 2 minutes to maintain vibrant color and crisp texture without losing nutrients.
• Chill Ingredients Thoroughly: Ensure salad is well-refrigerated for at least an hour to enhance flavor melding and create a refreshing crunch.
• Cut Uniformly: Dice apples and chop vegetables into consistent, bite-sized pieces for balanced texture and easy eating.
• Toast Pecans Gently: Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet to boost their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the salad.
• Dress Just Before Serving: Add dressing shortly before serving to prevent ingredients from becoming soggy and maintain optimal crispness.

How to Keep and Refresh Broccoli Apple Salad

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crisp vegetables might lose some texture after day one, but the flavors will remain delicious.
• Drain: Before storing, gently drain any excess liquid to prevent soggy ingredients. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to pat the salad dry.
• Revive: When ready to enjoy, give the salad a quick toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients. For best taste, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.

Side Dish Ideas for Broccoli Apple Salad

• Boost Flavor with Wine Pairing: Complement the broccoli and apple crunch salad with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, whose zesty citrus notes and light acidity perfectly balance the salad's sweet and tangy profile.
• Elevate with Protein Partner: Add grilled chicken or seared salmon to transform this salad into a complete meal, creating a protein-rich dish that enhances the existing textures and flavors.
• Craft a Refreshing Beverage Companion: Serve alongside a sparkling apple cider mocktail, which echoes the apple's freshness and provides a delightful, light accompaniment that mirrors the salad's crispness.
• Enhance with Bread Sidekick: Pair with a rustic whole grain artisan bread or crispy sourdough toast, allowing its hearty texture to contrast beautifully with the salad's light and crunchy elements.

Fresh Takes on Broccoli Apple Crunch Salad

• Grilled Green Garden: Replace raw broccoli with lightly grilled broccoli florets for a smoky flavor. Grill broccoli until edges are slightly charred, enhancing the salad's depth and complexity.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Incorporate feta cheese and swap pecans with toasted pine nuts. Add fresh oregano and mint leaves to create a Greek-inspired version with tangy and aromatic notes.
• Spicy Asian Fusion: Include thinly sliced red chili peppers and replace pecans with roasted sesame seeds. Modify dressing with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a touch of honey for a zesty, east-meets-west profile.
• Winter Harvest Remix: Substitute apples with roasted butternut squash cubes. Add dried sage and swap cranberries for pomegranate seeds, creating a seasonal winter salad with rich, warm undertones.

Broccoli And Apple Crunch Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 17 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Summer’s freshest salad combines crisp broccoli and sweet apples in a zesty harmony. Crunchy almonds and tangy dressing create a refreshing experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables and Fruits:

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 apple, diced

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey (use maple syrup for vegan)
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) lemon zest

Seasoning:

• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) freshly cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Separate broccoli into delicate, petite clusters, thoroughly rinsing each floret under cool running water to eliminate any potential debris.
2. Activate a medium-sized pot, filling it with water and positioning over medium-high thermal intensity. Introduce a measured quantity of salt into the liquid.
3. Gently submerge broccoli florets into the bubbling water, using a flat utensil to softly press them downward, ensuring uniform submersion.
4. Monitor cooking process precisely for 120 seconds, maintaining a vigilant watch to prevent texture deterioration.
5. Simultaneously prepare a generous vessel filled with ice-cold water, creating an immediate temperature reduction environment.
6. Extract broccoli from boiling water using a slotted implement, immediately transferring clusters into the glacial water bath to suspend thermal progression.
7. Allow broccoli to rest in chilled liquid for approximately 120 seconds, then carefully drain excess moisture using a colander.
8. Combine all dressing components within a spacious mixing receptacle, whisking until ingredients achieve harmonious integration.
9. Introduce chopped crisp apples, ruby-hued cranberries, finely diced red onions, shredded carrots, and roughly chopped pecans into the dressing.
10. Incorporate blanched broccoli florets, delicately folding ingredients to ensure comprehensive coating with dressing.
11. Refrigerate salad for 60-120 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving chilled.

Notes

• Blanch broccoli briefly to maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture while softening slightly for better digestibility.
• Use ice bath immediately after boiling to stop cooking process, preserving nutrients and preventing mushy broccoli.
• Create dressing ahead of time to allow flavors to meld and intensify, enhancing overall taste of the salad.
• Chilling salad for 1-2 hours lets ingredients marinate, developing deeper flavor profiles and improving taste.
• Select crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith for best contrast with sweet cranberries and nutty pecans.
• Prep ingredients in advance for quick assembly, making this a perfect make-ahead summer side dish or potluck contribution.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 130 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg