Crunchy Broccoli Apple Salad

Who says salad has to be a boring mess of leafy greens? Like this Bacon Ranch Potato Salad and my Zoodles Greek Salad, this broccoli apple salad gives the word “salad” new meaning. A fresh, tangy twist on the classic, it’s made without mayo for a lighter feel. Blanched broccoli brings just the right amount of crunch, while sweet apples, dried cranberries, shredded cheddar, and walnuts add extra layers of flavor and texture. It’s all tossed together with a tangy Greek yogurt dressing I can’t get enough of. It’s got just a hint of honey and a dollop of Dijon, the perfect complement to this sweet and savory side.

I love that it only takes a few minutes to throw together, too. Especially if you decide not to blanch the broccoli. But, even if you do, it’ll still only take you like 15 minutes to make (if that!). Yep! It’s the perfect potluck side you’ll be making all summer long.

Broccoli Apple Salad That’s Anything But Boring

Need some extra motivation to get in the kitchen? Here’s why you need to include this broccoli salad in your potluck rotation:

• Great texture. The blanched broccoli is crunchy (but not too crunchy), while the apples and walnuts add their own layer of texture, and the dried cranberries bring a hint of chewiness. It’s practically a playground for your senses.
• Sweet and savory. The sweetness of the honey, apple, and dried cranberry, paired with the tangy dressing and savory richness of cheddar, creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile. So good!
• Almost too easy. This salad couldn’t be easier to make (especially if you skip blanching the broccoli). Simply whisk together the ingredients for the dressing and toss it together with everything else. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward dish.

What You’ll Need

Here’s a list of all the goodies you’ll need to make this awesome summer salad. Have a look at the recipe card below for precise measurements.

• Broccoli – Fresh, not frozen, and cut into florets. If you want to make this a cauliflower salad, you can swap some or all of the broccoli out for its cruciferous cousin.
• Plain Greek yogurt – I’ve been sticking with nonfat (or low-fat) Greek yogurt, but you could use something with a higher fat content. Sour cream will also work.
• Apple cider vinegar – You can use white wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice instead.
• Honey – I love the way the honey enhances the sweet-savory nature of this salad. Maple syrup will work as well.
• Olive oil – I like using young extra virgin olive oil. It has a lively, almost peppery flavor to it that keeps things interesting.
• Dijon mustard – Or your favorite whole-grain mustard.
• Shallot – Red onion is a fine substitute. Mince it up nice and fine so you don’t encounter big chunks of tear-jerking onion.
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper – You can use table salt, but much less of it (about 2/3 of the total amount).
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese – Buy a block of cheddar and shred it yourself. The pre-shredded stuff is full of preservatives, and the flavor just isn’t as good.
• Apple – I like to peel mine, but you don’t have to. Cosmic Crisp apples are my favorite right now.
• Walnuts – Buy roasted walnuts or roast them yourself on the stovetop. Slivered almonds would be great, too.
• Dried cranberries – You could use halved grapes instead if you prefer a fresher feel.

How to Make Broccoli Apple Salad

Ready to get this salad on the table? It’ll only take a few minutes! Here’s how it’s done. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

• Blanch (optional*). Bring a large pot of water to a boil and fill a bowl with ice water. Blanch the broccoli in the boiling water for 2 minutes before transferring it to the ice water. Drain and lay on a towel to dry.
• Make the dressing. Whisk together the Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil, Dijon mustard, shallot, salt, and pepper.

* Blanching the broccoli will soften it a bit. It will still be crunchy, but not as crunchy as raw broccoli. I prefer the texture of blanched broccoli, but the choice is yours!

• Toss. Add the broccoli, cheddar cheese, apple, walnuts, and dried cranberries to a bowl. Pour in the dressing and toss to coat.

Tips and Variation Ideas

This recipe is super easy to throw together, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have some sneaky tips and tricks that’ll help you on your way. Here they are (along with some fun variations):

• Chop it up. I prefer smaller chunks of broccoli in this salad for easier eating and better dressing distribution. So, chop those florets into bite-sized pieces.
• Don’t over-blanch. If you opt to blanch the broccoli, set a timer, and don’t forget the ice bath. Blanching the broccoli for too long (or forgoing the ice bath) will result in soggy broccoli.
• Taste test. Everyone’s taste buds are different, and what works for me might not be perfect for you. So, taste your dressing before you toss it with the salad. Feel free to add extra salt, honey, or apple cider vinegar as you like.
• Let it rest. After dressing the salad, let everything sit for an hour or so before serving. This will allow the dressing to work its way into the salad, imparting flavor while also softening the broccoli a bit.
• Mayo madness. I used Greek yogurt to make this salad a little lighter, but you can exchange some or all of the yogurt for mayo if you prefer a more classic dressing.
• Add bacon. Adding chopped cooked bacon to this broccoli apple salad is a great way to incorporate extra protein and smoky flavor. Give it a try!
• Try a different dressing. I went with a simple creamy Greek yogurt-Dijon dressing, but you could 100% opt for something different. My Avocado Ranch Dressing or this Creamy Southwestern Dressing would be amazing!

Make it a Meal

This apple broccoli salad might just be the best backyard BBQ potluck side I have ever met. It goes SO well with any (and all) of the following summer classics:

• Backyard BBQ mains. This salad is SO good with my Epic French Onion Stuffed Burgers, these Black and Blue NY Strip Steaks, and pretty much any other summer grillin’ mains you can think of.
• Accompanying sides. Keep this broccoli apple salad company on the potluck table with this Bacon Ranch Potato Salad or my famous Corn Pudding. So yum!
• Refreshing bevies. Whether it’s a Pina Colada Mule or a spicy Grapefruit Marg, or just a big glass of Lemon Limeade, this crunchy salad goes great with a refreshing beverage.