🥦🍎 Broccoli Apple Salad 

A fresh, crunchy, slightly sweet salad perfect as a side dish for meals, parties, or meal-prep.

✅ Ingredients

For the Salad

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (chopped small)

• 1 large apple (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala), diced

• ½ cup shredded carrots

• ½ cup dried cranberries (or raisins)

• ⅓ cup sunflower seeds (or sliced almonds)

• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced

• Optional: ½ cup cooked bacon crumbles

For the Dressing

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (or more mayo)

• 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

🥣 Instructions

1. Prepare the broccoli.
   Chop broccoli florets into small, bite-size pieces.

2. Chop apple + vegetables.
   Dice the apple, shred carrots (if not pre-shredded), and finely chop red onion.

3. Mix salad ingredients.
   In a large bowl combine:
   broccoli, apple, carrots, cranberries, sunflower seeds, red onion, and bacon (optional).

4. Make the dressing.
   In a small bowl whisk together:
   mayo, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.

5. Combine.
   Pour dressing over the salad and toss until fully coated.

6. Chill (recommended).
   Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving so flavors blend.

⭐ Tips

• Add apples right before mixing to prevent browning.

• If meal prepping, toss apples in lemon juice.

• Double the dressing if you like extra-creamy salads.

❓ Q&A About Broccoli Apple Salad

Q1: Can I make this salad ahead of time?

A: Yes! It lasts 2–3 days in the fridge. Add seeds/nuts right before serving so they stay crunchy.

Q2: What apples work best?

A: Crisp, sweet apples hold up well:

• Honeycrisp

• Fuji

• Gala

• Pink Lady

Avoid very soft apples like Red Delicious.

Q3: Can I make it healthier?

A: Yes! Try these swaps:

• Use all Greek yogurt instead of mayo

• Reduce honey

• Use unsweetened dried cranberries

• Add more veggies (shredded cabbage, cauliflower, kale)

Q4: Can I make it vegan?

A: Yes—substitute:

• Vegan mayo

• Maple syrup instead of honey

• Omit bacon

Q5: What can I serve it with?

A: Great with:

• Grilled chicken

• Burgers

• Pulled pork

• Holiday meals

• Picnic or BBQ spreads

Q6: Can I use frozen broccoli?

A: Not recommended. Frozen broccoli becomes too soft and watery for this salad.

Q7: Why is my salad watery the next day?

A: Broccoli releases moisture over time. Solutions:

• Increase dressing thickness (more mayo/yogurt)

• Add apple right before serving

• Pat broccoli dry before mixing.