Description

This Fresh Broccoli Apple Salad is a vibrant, healthy, and crunchy salad combining fresh broccoli florets, sweet and crisp apples, tangy red onion, toasted sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing sweetened with honey and brightened with lemon juice. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or light meal, this salad requires no cooking and comes together quickly, making it an ideal choice for a nutritious and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

2 cups Fresh Broccoli Florets (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
2 medium Apples (preferably Fuji or Honeycrisp, cored and diced)
1/4 cup Red Onion (finely chopped)
1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds (roasted, unsalted)
1/4 cup Dried Cranberries (unsweetened)

Dressing Ingredients

1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1 tablespoon Honey
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

Prepare Broccoli: Wash the fresh broccoli thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt. Shake off excess moisture and cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets for easy eating.
Prepare Apples: Rinse the apples well, remove the cores, and dice them into small cubes, keeping the skin on for added texture and nutrients.
Chop Onion: Finely chop the red onion and add it to a large mixing bowl together with the diced apples.
Add Seeds and Cranberries: Add the roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds and the dried cranberries to the bowl with apples and onion, giving the salad nice crunch and sweet notes.
Make Dressing: In a separate small bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, honey, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Season Dressing: Add salt and pepper to the dressing according to your taste preferences and mix again.
Toss Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl, and gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
Rest Salad: Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature or chilled in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.
Serve: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature, optionally garnished with extra sunflower seeds for added texture and presentation.

Notes

Use firm apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp for the best texture and sweetness.
You can substitute sunflower seeds with toasted walnuts or pecans for a different nutty flavor.
For a vegan option, replace Greek yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt and honey with maple syrup.
Keep the salad refrigerated if not serving immediately to maintain freshness.
Adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dressing can add an interesting warmth to the flavor profile.