Crisp Broccoli & Honeycrisp Apple Harvest Salad with Creamy Honey Vinegar Dressing
This fresh, crunchy salad celebrates autumn textures and flavors. Broccoli and apple are the stars, supported by savory-sweet mix-ins and a luscious, tangy dressing.
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Ingredients
For the Salad:
· 1 large head broccoli (about 1 lb / 450g), cut into small florets
· 1 large Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced or matchstick-cut
· ½ cup dried cranberries or cherries
· ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
· ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional for vegetarian; can omit for vegan)
· ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion or 2 tbsp chopped green onion
· 2 tbsp sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
For the Creamy Honey Vinegar Dressing:
· ¼ cup apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
· 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
· 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise (use vegan mayo if needed)
· 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
· 1 small garlic clove, minced
· ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
· Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Instructions
1. Prepare the broccoli:
· Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. You can leave them raw for maximum crunch, or blanch them briefly (1–2 minutes in boiling water, then ice bath) if you prefer a slightly tender texture.
· Place broccoli in a large salad bowl.
2. Assemble salad:
· Add sliced apple, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, cheese (if using), red onion, and seeds to the bowl.
3. Make the dressing:
· In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, yogurt (or mayo), Dijon, and garlic until smooth.
· Slowly stream in olive oil while whisking continuously until emulsified.
· Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang as desired.
4. Toss and serve:
· Pour about ¾ of the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.
· Let sit for 5–10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
· Add remaining dressing if needed before serving.
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Tips:
· Prevent browning: Toss apple slices with a squeeze of lemon juice if making ahead.
· Protein boost: Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or quinoa for a complete meal.
· Extra crunch: Add shredded Brussels sprouts or kale massaged with a bit of dressing.
· Make ahead: Keep dressing separate until just before serving to maintain crispness.
This salad balances sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy—perfect as a bright side or a light main course. Enjoy! 🥦🍎