Bright & Tangy Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad Recipe

Green, crisp, and bursting with unexpected flavor, this broccoli and apple crunch salad delivers a delightful twist on classic side dishes.

Vibrant florets mingle with sweet, juicy apple chunks in a sensational combination that surprises and delights.

Crunchy nuts and a tangy dressing create layers of texture and taste that will make you forget everything you know about salads.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of freshness and richness, turning an ordinary vegetable mix into something extraordinary.

The recipe comes together quickly, requiring minimal preparation and maximum enjoyment.

Packed with nutrients and bold flavors, this salad promises to become a standout at any meal.

You’ll want to keep this recipe on hand for spontaneous lunch cravings or weekend gatherings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes

Calories: 124 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s in a Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad

• Broccoli: Crisp green vegetable packed with nutrients, choose firm florets with deep green color and no yellow spots.
• Apple: Sweet and tart base for crunch, select firm apples with vibrant skin and no bruises.
• Carrots: Adds bright color and sweet crunch, pick smooth, firm carrots with bright orange hue.
• Red Onions: Provides sharp flavor and beautiful color, choose firm onions with tight, smooth skin.
• Dried Cranberries: Brings tangy sweetness and beautiful ruby color, look for plump and soft berries without clumping.

• Pecans: Delivers rich, buttery texture and earthy flavor, select whole pieces with golden brown color and no signs of rancidity.

• Olive Oil: Smooth binding agent for salad, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth, freshly ground provides best aroma.
• Vinegar: Creates bright acidic balance, apple cider vinegar works wonderfully for this recipe.

Tools That Help Toss Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling broccoli with enough space to prevent overcrowding.
• Spatula: Helps gently press broccoli florets into boiling water and prevent sticking.
• Large Bowl: Needed for mixing salad ingredients and creating the dressing.
• Cutting Board: Perfect for chopping broccoli, apples, onions, and carrots.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise and clean vegetable and fruit cutting.
• Colander: Helps drain boiled broccoli and rinse vegetables quickly.
• Ice Bowl: Stops broccoli from continuing to cook and helps maintain crisp texture.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate dressing ingredient proportions.
• Mixing Spoon: Allows thorough tossing of salad ingredients for even coating.

How to Mix Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad

• Broccoli Prep Fresh green clusters are transformed into bite-sized pieces for a delightful crunch.
• Blanching Magic Quick hot water bath softens broccoli while maintaining its vibrant color and crisp texture.
• Cooling Technique Ice water stops cooking process, preserving the vegetable's perfect texture and nutrients.
• Flavor Symphony Crisp apples, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans dance together with tangy dressing, creating a harmonious blend of tastes and textures.
• Chilling Moment Refrigeration allows ingredients to mingle and develop a rich, complex flavor profile that will surprise and delight your taste buds.

Flavor Boosts for Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad

• Master the perfect broccoli texture by blanching exactly 2 minutes – keeping that vibrant green color and crisp-tender bite.
• Prepare this salad a day in advance to let flavors meld beautifully, with dressing softening the vegetables and enhancing overall taste.
• Swap pecans for almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds to match personal preferences or pantry availability without compromising the salad's delightful texture.
• Boost the salad's nutritional value by adding grilled chicken, crispy tofu, or hard-boiled eggs for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Replace cranberries with fresh blueberries in summer or pomegranate seeds in winter to keep the recipe exciting and aligned with seasonal produce.

Ways to Serve Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad

• Pair with Protein Power: Complement the salad with grilled chicken, seared salmon, or sliced turkey breast to create a complete and satisfying meal.
• Picnic Perfect Plating: Pack this vibrant salad in mason jars for a stunning outdoor lunch or potluck contribution that's easy to transport and serve.
• Seasonal Side Delight: Serve alongside roasted turkey during holiday meals or as a refreshing accompaniment to winter roasts and hearty main dishes.
• Textural Topping Trick: Sprinkle extra toasted pecans or sunflower seeds on top just before serving to add an extra crunch and elevate the salad's presentation.

Keeping Broccoli and Apple Crunch Salad Fresh

• Optimize Freshness: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, keeping crisp textures intact for 2-3 days.
• Quick Prep Strategy: Chop vegetables and make dressing ahead of time, saving 15-20 minutes during meal assembly.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep dressing separate from salad until serving to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy vegetables.
• Advance Meal Planning: Prepare entire salad up to 24 hours before serving, allowing flavors to meld and intensify while maintaining vegetable quality.

Crisp Broccoli And Apple Crunch Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 17 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crunchy broccoli and apple crunch salad balances crisp textures with tangy dressing and nutty undertones. Fresh ingredients combine effortlessly, inviting you to savor each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 apple, diced
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey (use maple syrup for vegan)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) lemon zest
• ½ tsp (2.5 g) salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 g) freshly cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Broccoli Preparation: Dissect broccoli into delicate florets, meticulously cleansing under cool water to remove potential impurities.
2. Blanching Process: Ignite a medium pot with salted water at medium-high heat, submerge broccoli clusters, and cook for precisely 2 minutes, maintaining optimal texture.
3. Cooling Technique: Instantaneously transfer broccoli from boiling water to an ice bath, halting cooking progression and preserving vibrant color and crisp structure.
4. Dressing Creation: Vigorously whisk dressing ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl until achieving a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
5. Ingredient Integration: Gently fold chopped apples, cranberries, red onions, carrots, and pecans into the dressing, ensuring comprehensive coating.
6. Broccoli Incorporation: Delicately introduce blanched broccoli florets to the dressed mixture, tossing with minimal manipulation to preserve ingredient integrity.
7. Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate the salad for 1-2 hours, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop a nuanced, refreshing profile before serving chilled.

Notes

• Blanch with Precision: Cook broccoli exactly 2 minutes to maintain vibrant color, crisp texture, and maximize nutrient retention without losing vegetable’s natural crunch.
• Rapid Cooling Technique: Immediately transfer broccoli to ice water bath stops cooking process, preserves bright green color, and prevents overcooking, ensuring perfect al dente texture.
• Flavor Melding Magic: Refrigerate salad 1-2 hours before serving to allow ingredients to harmonize, intensify taste profiles, and develop deeper, more complex flavor combinations.
• Texture Balance Strategy: Combine crunchy pecans, crisp apples, and blanched broccoli to create multi-dimensional mouthfeel that keeps each bite interesting and enjoyable.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 124
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 110 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg