Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 5 –6 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple cored and diced
- 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ small red onion finely diced
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds or chopped pecans
- For the Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli: Cut into small florets for better texture and flavor absorption. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Cook the bacon: Fry or bake until crispy, then crumble. (Store-bought real bacon bits work in a pinch.)
- Prep ingredients: Dice the apple (leave the skin on), shred the cheese, dice onion, and measure out the cranberries and seeds.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together mayo, vinegar, and honey/maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine salad: In a large bowl, mix all salad ingredients. Pour over dressing and toss well.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend.
Notes
- Chop broccoli small for easy eating and better flavor distribution.
- Dry all produce well to keep the dressing creamy.
- Use crispy apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady.
- Add bacon and seeds just before serving for max crunch.
- Taste and tweak the dressing’s sweetness to your liking.