Sweet and crunchy Broccoli-Apple Salad is a must-have for summer barbecues, picnics, potlucks and nights at home.
I am a broccoli salad freak. When I first began my journey to eating healthier, it was my go-to when I wanted something with a little crunch, a little sweetness, and plenty of veggies. Broccoli salad has been a staple at tables for generations, but what I love about this specific recipe is that it includes apples. The apples give it even more crunch and flavor.
The homemade dressing cannot go unnoticed here, by the way. The blend of apples, broccoli, and nuts is one thing, but the creamy dressing is another! The mixture of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and sugar coating each piece with a beautiful, creamy decadence can’t be replicated by using a store-bought bottle, trust me.
This salad is the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and crunchy. And it’s truly great for almost any occasion! Don’t know what to bring to the family reunion? This will surely be a hit! Need a healthy and refreshing meal for a picnic? Look no further than this broccoli salad. This salad is great to have anytime of the day, too, no matter if you’re needing some extra fuel after a long work day or need a quick and healthy lunch.
Is This Broccoli-Apple Salad Healthy?
Broccoli salad is chock-full of wonderful goodness! Here’s the list: broccoli, apples, carrots, onions, pecans—shall I go on? Okay—dried cranberries and a dressing made with Greek yogurt. So, yes, broccoli salad is a healthy choice. It adheres to the Mediterranean diet and is gluten-free. Broccoli is an important vegetable to consume because it is rich in fiber and full of vitamin C. Apples also have a lot of fiber in them and are chock-full of antioxidants. And, of course, we love Greek Yogurt for its high levels of protein, calcium, and probiotics!
For vegans and those who are dairy-free, you don’t have to skip out on this salad! You can omit the dressing and instead use the dressing recipe for Vegan Broccoli Salad! Woohoo!
The Secret To A Tasty Broccoli-Apple Salad
The secret to this amazing salad is the homemade salad dressing. Store-bought dressings are full of fillers, corn syrup, and artificial flavors and colors. The dressing aisle has come a long way, though; these days, you can find several healthier options. I really like the brands “Simple Truth” and “Briannas Homestyle” for relatively low-sugar salad dressings.
Still, you can never beat homemade dressing, so you can know exactly what is in your salad dressing. This one is creamy, tangy, and goes perfectly with the tart apples. And since it’s made up of half Greek yogurt and half low-fat mayonnaise, you won’t feel weighed down. The lemon juice in this recipe also adds a wonderful freshness to it.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Since broccoli-apple salad is served chilled, it’s easy to place any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend you freeze salads.
Serving Suggestions
Broccoli-apple salad is a wonderful meal in itself. Pack it up and bring it to work, or keep it in individual ready-to-eat packages so that when working from home or just hanging out on the weekends, you won’t be tempted to eat junk food and can instead grab a container of homemade salad.
If you would like more than just the broccoli-apple salad, there are some fun foods to serve alongside it. Sandwiches, like a Healthy Egg Salad Grilled Cheese Sandwich or a Chicken Pesto Sandwich turn broccoli-apple salad into a filling meal. A light meal of fish also pairs well with this recipe. Consider this Easy Baked Cod Recipe or Grilled Tilapia on a warm summer night.
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 2 large apples finely chopped
- 1/2 cup pecans coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise low-fat
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt low-fat
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, shredded carrots, diced red onion, chopped apples, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the low-fat mayonnaise, low-fat Greek yogurt, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss until everything is well coated. Refrigerate the salad before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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