If there’s one dish that completely embodies crunchy, juicy, sweet, and tangy in a single bite, it’s this Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad. The magic happens when fresh broccoli and crisp Honeycrisp apples mingle with pops of cranberry, sharp cheese, toasted nuts, and a creamy honey-touched dressing. Whether you need a lively picnic salad, a potluck showstopper, or a side to perk up boring dinners, this salad brings plenty of personality and unbeatable flavor to the table.

Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed by how just a handful of simple ingredients—each with its own charm—can create such a layered, beautiful salad. Every component brings something special, from crunch and color to sweetness and tang, making the Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad irresistible every time.

Broccoli florets: Crisp and fresh, these form the hearty, nutritious base and soak up the dressing perfectly.
Honeycrisp apple: Their juicy crunch and sweetness make this salad shine—don’t swap them for any other variety if you can help it!
Dried cranberries: These little gems provide chewy texture and a tart-sweet contrast to the veggies and cheese.
Red onion: A touch of zing and gorgeous color, thinly sliced for just the right amount of bite.
Pecans or walnuts: Toast them if you have a minute, and their deep nutty flavor will make the salad even more craveable.
Sharp cheddar cheese: For big creamy flavor, opt for sharp cheddar—it stands up to the tangy dressing and sweet apples.
Mayonnaise: The base of the dressing, making everything velvety and rich. Greek yogurt is a great lighter swap.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds zing and brightness, balancing the sweetness in the salad and dressing.
Honey: A touch of honey in the dressing enhances the apples and brings it all together.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for making the flavors pop—taste as you go for the perfect seasoning.

How to Make Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables and Apple

Begin by chopping the broccoli into bite-sized florets, ensuring they’re dry and fresh. Dice the Honeycrisp apple just before mixing so it keeps its beautiful white crunch. Thinly slice or dice the red onion for a milder, more integrated flavor.

Step 2: Toss the Salad Ingredients Together

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, Honeycrisp apple pieces, dried cranberries, red onion, toasted pecans or walnuts, and the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Gently toss these ingredients with clean hands or salad tongs to distribute everything evenly. The colors and textures are already a feast for the eyes!

Step 3: Whisk the Dressing

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This dressing is the secret that ties the Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad together with its tangy and subtly sweet notes.

Step 4: Dress and Season

Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss again, making sure every bit of broccoli and apple gets coated. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting as you go. This makes all the flavors pop and bloom.

Step 5: Chill Before Serving

For the absolute best Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad, don’t skip a short chill! Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows all the flavors to meld and the apples to take on some tangy-sweet dressing magic. Give the salad a final toss before serving.

How to Serve Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad

Garnishes

Top the salad just before serving with an extra sprinkle of toasted nuts, a handful of dried cranberries, or a flutter of cheddar for a burst of color and crunch. Chopped fresh parsley or chives add a pop of green and a touch of freshness.

Side Dishes

Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, steak, burgers, or salmon, and it’s a refreshing side dish for summer picnics or hearty autumn roasts. Try serving it next to grain salads or vibrant slaws for a crowd-pleasing spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For lunchboxes or parties, portion the salad into mason jars or small cups for grab-and-go servings. You can scoop it onto crostini for bite-sized appetizers or stuff it into pita bread with greens for a twist on picnic sandwiches. The vibrant color and crunch always steal the spotlight!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It tastes just as delicious the next day, and the flavors deepen beautifully as the salad chills. For maximum crunch, enjoy within 1 to 2 days.

Freezing

This salad isn’t a great candidate for freezing—raw broccoli and apples can lose their crispness and turn watery after thawing. For best results, keep the salad refrigerated and enjoy it fresh within a couple of days.

Reheating

Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad is meant to be served cold, so there’s no need to reheat it. If it’s been chilling and the dressing has thickened, just let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes and give it a gentle toss before serving.

FAQs

Can I use a different apple if I don’t have Honeycrisp?

You can swap in firm, sweet-tart apples like Fuji or Pink Lady, but nothing matches the juicy crunch and flavor that Honeycrisp brings to this salad!

How do I make this salad dairy-free?

Simply omit the cheddar cheese or replace it with your favorite dairy-free cheese, and use a plant-based mayo in the dressing for an equally delicious, creamy result.

Should I blanch the broccoli first?

It’s not necessary! Using raw broccoli keeps the salad extra crisp. If you prefer a slightly softer bite, a quick 30-second blanch followed by an ice bath works, but drain thoroughly to avoid sogginess.

Can I prepare Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make it up to a day in advance. If you want the nuts to stay extra crunchy, add them just before serving.

What’s a good substitute for mayonnaise in the dressing?

For a lighter option, Greek yogurt works wonderfully in place of mayo, or you can try half mayo and half yogurt for a perfectly balanced creamy texture.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a salad that’s incredibly easy, outright gorgeous, and bursting with fresh flavors, Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad is the answer. Try it once, and you’ll want to bring it to every gathering—I promise friends and family will beg you for the recipe!

Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A delightful and easy-to-make Honeycrisp Broccoli Salad that combines the freshness of broccoli with the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, and a creamy dressing. This colorful salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 large Honeycrisp apple, cored and chopped
½ cup dried cranberries
⅓ cup chopped red onion
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste

Dressing:

½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey

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Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix broccoli, Honeycrisp apple, cranberries, red onion, nuts, and cheddar.
Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey.
Toss Salad: Pour dressing over salad, toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
Chill: Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Toss again before serving.