• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Whisk Affair
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Indian Recipes
  • Meal Type
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Appetizers
    • Main Course
    • Desserts
  • My Cookbook
    • My E-Books
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Buy my Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Meal Type » Salads » Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad

    Published: Mar 4, 2021 | Last Updated On: Feb 7, 2023 by Neha Mathur

    Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad

    2842 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    This crunchy and colorful Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad is a breeze to make and is perfect for your fall or holiday table. It’s great for picnics and potlucks too. Make it using a few simple ingredients using my easy recipe (paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, can be easily made vegan).

    If you are someone who loves a good salad, then here are some more delicious salad options for you – Cranberry Chicken Salad, Watermelon Feta Salad, Traditional Greek Salad, Ramen Noodle Salad, Kale Mango Salad, and Cucumber Avocado Salad.

    Healthy broccoli apple salad served in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • About Broccoli Apple Salad
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Suggestions
    • You Might Also Like
    • Recipe Card

    About Broccoli Apple Salad

    This Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe is a delicious salad recipe with sweet and savory flavors.

    It’s crunchy, and colorful, and comes together in under 20 minutes. This salad is one of the best ways to enjoy broccoli!

    The classic Southern Broccoli and Apple Salad have a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, but to give my salad a healthy twist, I made a light apple cider vinegar dressing which pairs very well with it.

    I have shared the creamy mayonnaise-based dressing in this post too. So choose which one you want to go for.

    This salad is great for your fall or holiday table. And since it can be made ahead as the ingredients that go into it do not become soggy for quite some time, it’s great for box lunches, potlucks, and picnics.

    Broccoli and Apple Salad is super healthy and nutritious. The sweetness of the apples and honey perfectly balances the bitterness of the broccoli.

    Make this nutritious broccoli salad any time for any meal, and you are sure to feel wholesome. It is paleo, gluten-free, and very diet-friendly, and can be easily made vegan.

    You can easily double or triple the recipe too.

    Ingredients

    Apples – Use red sweet apples like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji as they are sweet and juicy and taste great in this salad. You can also use green apples if you like their sour taste. You don’t have to peel the apples for this salad.

    Broccoli – Cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. Buy pre-cut broccoli florets to save time.

    Carrots – I diced the carrots, but you can use shredded carrots too. Buy pre-shredded carrots to save time.

    Dried Cranberries – These add a nice, chewy texture along with a sweet, tangy taste. You can use raisins or craisins in place of cranberries.

    Toasted Pecans – Pecans add a nice crunch or bite to the salad. You can replace pecans with almonds, cashew nuts, or walnuts.

    For The Dressing – To enhance the flavor of this simple salad, you will need a light dressing that will instantly oomph up the taste.

    I made a light dressing using extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.

    You can replace lemon juice and zest with orange juice and orange zest. Honey adds a nice sweetness. But if you are looking for a vegan version, go for maple syrup instead.

    Others – You can add cheese like blue cheese or feta to the salad as they pair beautifully with the other ingredients.

    How To Make Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad

    Preparation

    Toast the pecans in a pan over medium heat until crisp (3-4 minutes). Chop and set them aside.

    Wash a 12 oz (340 g) head of broccoli and cut it into small, bite-size florets.

    Bring a medium-sized pot of water to boil over medium-high heat. 

    Add 1 teaspoon salt and broccoli florets to the boiling water. Press down the florets gently with a spatula.

    Cook for 2 minutes. Do not overcook or the broccoli will become mushy.

    Salt added to boiling water.
    Broccoli added to the hot water.

    While the broccoli is cooking, keep a large bowl full of ice-cold water ready.

    Bowl full of ice cold water.

    Drain the water and transfer the broccoli to the bowl of ice water so the ice-cold water can stop the cooking.

    Let the broccoli rest in ice-cold water for 2 minutes. Then drain and set aside.

    Blanched broccoli added to the bowl.

    Make The Salad

    Mix together

    • 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoon honey (maple syrup for vegan)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper.

    in a large mixing bowl.

    Dressing ingredients added to a large bowl.

    Add

    • cooked broccoli
    • 2 cups of cored and diced apples
    • ¼ cup dried cranberries
    • ¼ cup chopped onions
    • ½ cup diced carrots
    • ½ cup chopped roasted pecans

    to the bowl and toss everything well.

    Salad ingredients added to the bowl.

    Chill the salad for 1-2 hours and serve cold.

    Ready healthy apple broccoli salad.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you make creamy mayonnaise dressing for broccoli apple salad?

    Stir together ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt, ¼ cup full-fat mayonnaise, 1-½ tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp honey, and salt (to taste) in a bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.

    Trade some of the mayonnaise with yogurt to make it healthier without compromising on taste.

    Can you pack broccoli and apple salad for lunch?

    The ingredients in this salad are mostly raw and will not wilt even after a few hours of making it. However, I suggest packing the dressing in a separate bottle and mixing it with the salad once you are ready to eat.

    If you are making a creamy yogurt or mayonnaise dressing, then you can mix it in advance too.

    Which apples are best for broccoli and apple salad?

    I prefer sweet and juicy apples like Red Delicious, Gala, or Fuji over sour ones like Granny Smith to make this salad.

    You can try a mix of sweet red apples and sour green apples if you wish. Be sure to choose fresh and firm apples. Their crunch is what makes this salad extra special.

    Is apple broccoli salad vegan?

    All the ingredients in this broccoli and apple salad are vegan, except for the honey. So to add some sweetness to the dressing, you can substitute honey with maple syrup.

    Variations

    • Greek Yogurt – Use ¼ cup for dressing. Add garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice for a great healthy creamy dressing.
    • Mayonnaise – The classic Southern Broccoli Apple Salad uses mayonnaise in the dressing. I am not a big mayonnaise fan, but if you like mayo, go ahead and use it in the salad.
    • Sour Cream – Sour Cream is a great replacement for Greek yogurt and mayonnaise. You can even use a mix of these creamy ingredients.
    • Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing – This is my fav all-purpose salad dressing. It goes well on all salads.
    • Tahini Dressing – Looking for something different and earthy in this salad? Then Tahini Dressing is your thing.
    • Crispy Bacon – Crispy Bacon on anything is good, right?
    • Roasted Walnuts or Pecans – I like some crunch in my salad and what better than some roasted crunchy pecans or walnuts? You can even use cashews, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for the crunch.
    • Cheese – A fresh grating of parmesan cheese works great in this salad. Blue cheese and Feta cheese also pair well with the other salad ingredients.
    • Lettuce – I haven’t added lettuce or any other salad greens in this recipe, but you can totally do so. Cabbage is a great option, too.
    • Fruits – Feel free to add fruits other than apples to this recipe. Mangoes, avocados, and strawberries are what’s coming to mind right now. But be creative and choose fruits you like.
    • Beetroot – Boiled or roasted beetroot will work great along with broccoli and apples. Give it a try.
    • And do try roasting the broccoli instead of blanching it. It will be a very new taste profile and a very tasty one, I’ll bet.

    Serving Suggestions

    Broccoli Apple Salad tastes best chilled.

    Serve this salad on its own for a light dinner or snack whenever hunger strikes. You can also pack it for a box lunch or bring it to a picnic or a potluck.

    Serve this salad on the side with soups such as Pumpkin Curry Soup, Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup, and Cream Of Mushroom Soup.

    Storage Suggestions

    This salad needs to be refrigerated for at least 1-2 hours for the flavors to marry each other.

    It also keeps good for 18-24 hours in the refrigerator. After that, it will start to wilt, and the taste will change.

    You Might Also Like

    • Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli
    • Air Fryer Broccoli
    • Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
    • Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Recipe Card

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    This crunchy and colorful Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad is a breeze to make and is perfect for your fall or holiday table. It's great for picnics and potlucks too. Make it using a few simple ingredients using my easy recipe (paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, can be easily made vegan).

    Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe

    This crunchy and colorful Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad is a breeze to make and is perfect for your fall or holiday table. It's great for picnics and potlucks too. Make it using a few simple ingredients using my easy recipe.
    3.43 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American, Continental
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 204kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    For The Salad

    • 12 ounce broccoli (340 g)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups cored and diced apples
    • ¼ cup dried cranberries
    • ¼ cup chopped onions
    • ½ cup diced carrots
    • ½ cup chopped roasted pecans

    For The Dressing

    • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons honey (use maple syrup for vegan)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon feshly cracked black pepper
    US Customary or Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Wash the head of broccoli and cut it into small, bite-size florets.
    • Bring a medium-sized pot of water to boil over medium-high heat. 
    • Add 1 teaspoon salt and broccoli florets to the boiling water. Press down the florets gently with a spatula.
    • Cook for 2 minutes. Do not overcook or the broccoli will become mushy.
    • While the broccoli is cooking, keep a large bowl full of ice-cold water ready.
    • Drain the water and transfer the broccoli to the bowl of ice water so the ice-cold water can stop the cooking.
    • Let the broccoli rest in ice-cold water for 2 minutes. Then drain and set aside.
    • Mix the dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
    • Add the salad ingredients including the blanched broccoli to the bowl and toss everything well.
    • Chill the salad for 1-2 hours and serve cold.

    Notes

    This salad needs to be refrigerated for 1-2 hours for the flavors to marry each other. It stays fresh for 18-24 hours in the refrigerator. After that, it will start to wilt and taste will change.
    This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
    Use red sweet apples like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji as they are sweet and juicy and taste great in this salad. You can also use green apples if you like their sour taste. You don’t have to peel the apples for this salad.
    You can also add cheese like blue cheese or feta to the salad as they pair beautifully with the other ingredients.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 609mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 2163IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
    Pin this recipe for later use!I LOVE to see your creations so pin and mention @WhiskAffair!
    Sign up for regular updates?I would love to have you as part of my journey. Click to sign up!

    More Salad Recipes

    • Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing
    • Old Fashioned Amish Potato Salad
    • Hibachi Ginger Salad Dressing (Japanese Style Salad Dressing)
    • Persian Watermelon Salad (With Cucumber And Feta)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Cindy

      December 13, 2019 at 10:01 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is so good. Thanks for sharing! I’m not an apple or pecan fan, but this combination is delicious.

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        December 15, 2019 at 11:29 am

        I am glad you liked it Cindy 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey! Nice to meet you

    Neha Mathur, Founder & Recipe Expert at Whisk Affair

    Hi! I'm Neha, Blogger & Recipe Expert behind Whisk Affair. I've nurtured Whisk Affair since 2012 by trying & testing every recipe published. Be sure that it will turn out good each time! Read More about me…

    Stay Connected

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    My Cookbook

    Neha's Cookbook Cover

    Click to Buy Now on Amazon

    Healthy Recipes

    • Jamaican Cucumber Salad
    • Lemon Capellini Salad (With Tomatoes And Capers)
    • Mediterranean Chickpea Quinoa Salad
    • Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
    • Chick Fil A Copycat Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing
    • Thai Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

    Indian Winter Recipes

    • Punjabi Sarson Ka Saag
    • Saag Paneer
    • Makki ki Roti (Vegan, Gluten Free)
    • Gobi Paratha
    • Gond Ke Laddu
    • Traditional Carrot Halwa (Gajar Ka Halwa) w/ Khoya

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Best Hibachi Fried Rice (Japanese Style Fried Rice)
    • Spicy Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia
    • Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
    • Lemon Tea
    • Chicken Clear Soup
    • Scrambled Egg Whites

    Footer


    ^ back to top

    About

    About Neha

    Diwali E-Book

    My Cookbook

    Stay Connected

    Sign up! for emails and updates

    Contact Me

    Policies

    Privacy Policy

    Terms & Conditions

    Accessibility Policy

    Whiskaffair has been featured in leading media including the huffington post, bloomberg quint, buzz feed, your story and many more

    Copyright © 2022 WhiskAffair Food LLP