Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

This Broccoli Salad Recipe with creamy lemon dressing is one of the first and most loved recipes on my blog; an oldie but a goodie!

Broccoli Apple Salad is loaded with crunchy broccoli, crisp apples, chewy craisins, and toasted pecans. The creamy dressing brings everything together and it just works.

Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (1)

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Broccoli Salad Video

Watch Natasha make this easy Broccoli Salad. I hope you’re inspired to make and experience it for yourself! If you haven’t already, please subscribe to ourYoutube Cooking Channeland click on the bell icon so you’ll know every time we post a new video.

This Broccoli Apple Salad is my Mama-in-laws that has been a family favorite for years. All of the flavors work really well together. It also refrigerates really well overnight even after stirring in the dressing.

Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (2)

Ingredients for Broccoli Salad

This salad has a shortlist of ingredients but each is important for that It’s sweet, tart, and crisp flavor profile.

  • Broccoli – we used 2 medium heads or about 1 lb of fresh broccoli.
  • Carrot – should be peeled and grated or sliced on a julienne slicer
  • Apple – any crisp, sweet apple will work
  • Onion – use 1/4 cup finely chopped. Yellow, sweet onion or red onion will work
  • Walnuts – toast on a skillet until fragrant and golden. You can substitute with pecans
  • Dried Cranberries – craisins add a sweet tangy bite to the salad. You can substitute it with raisins.
Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (3)

The Best Creamy Dressing

This creamy lemon salad dressing combines real mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh squeezed lemon juice, sugar salt, and pepper. The sour cream lightens up this creamy dressing and the lemon adds a vibrant fresh flavor.

Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (4)

How to Make Broccoli Salad

  1. Toast walnuts on a dry skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a plate to cool.
  2. Combine salad ingredients – place all of your sliced, shredded and chopped salad ingredients into a mixing bowl.
  3. Make Dressing – stir together the salad dressing ingredients, adding lemon juice and sugar to taste.
  4. Toss and Serve – Add dressing to the salad to taste and stir until well coated in dressing.
Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (5)

Common Questions

Can you eat raw broccoli?

It isn’t necessary at all to cook the broccoli in this salad and broccoli eaten raw is more nutritious. We also love the crunchiness and vibrant color it adds to the salad. When the florets are cut small, they are easy to chew and so satisfying!

Can I cook the broccoli?

Some readers have shared good results with blanch the broccoli to soften it a bit. If you blanch the broccoli, just be sure it is chilled and patted dry before adding to the salad.

Can I use broccoli stems in salad?

Broccoli stems can be used in salad and we often do include them. Use a potato peeler to peel away the tough fibrous outer layer of the stem before using.

Can I substitute the sugar?

To make this a paleo broccoli salad, you can substitute the sugar with honey, adding it to taste.

Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (6)

Make-Ahead

This broccoli salad refrigerates well so if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, it will still be delicious the next day. Be sure to cover tightly and refrigerate. The lemon dressing preserves the apples and slows down the browning process.

More Broccoli Recipes to Explore

  • Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
  • Broccoli Grape Salad
  • Cabbage Salad with Broccoli
  • Broccoli Corn Salad

Broccoli Apple salad is perfect for potlucks, BBQs, picnics, you name it. This salad has been well-loved by our family and readers for years and I hope it becomes a favorite for you as well.

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Creamy Lemon Dressing (VIDEO)

4.96 from 121 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (8)

The ORIGINAL Broccoli Salad Recipe – loaded with broccoli, apples, craisins, and pecans, and tossed in a creamy lemon dressing. A must-try potluck favorite!

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 6 as a side salad

Ingredients for Broccoli Salad Recipe:

  • 2 medium broccoli heads , (about 1 lb)
  • 1 large carrot, grated or julienned
  • 1 apple, cored and chopped
  • 1/2 small red onion, (1/4 cup thinly sliced)
  • 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted
  • 1/2 cup craisins or raisins

Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Dressing:

  • ½ cup mayo
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice, (freshly squeezed)
  • ½ Tbsp sugar, or add to taste
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Toast walnuts or pecans over medium/ high heat, tossing them occasionally so they don't burn. Heat about 4-5 minutes then transfer to a cutting board and coarsley chop.

  • Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces, grate carrot, chop the apple and thinly slice onion, and transfer into a salad bowl. Add toasted pecans and dried raisins or cranberries.

  • To make the creamy dressing, combine: mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar (to taste), salt and pepper. Mix well.

  • Add dressing to taste or use the full amount like we do and toss to combine.

Nutrition Per Serving

349kcal Calories30g Carbs7g Protein24g Fat5g Saturated Fat17mg Cholesterol305mg Sodium779mg Potassium7g Fiber16g Sugar3110IU Vitamin A185.5mg Vitamin C129mg Calcium1.9mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Creamy Lemon Dressing (VIDEO)

Amount per Serving

Calories

349

% Daily Value*

Fat

24

g

37

%

Saturated Fat

5

g

31

%

Cholesterol

17

mg

6

%

Potassium

779

mg

22

%

Carbohydrates

30

g

10

%

Fiber

7

g

29

%

Sugar

16

g

18

%

Protein

7

g

14

%

Vitamin A

3110

IU

62

%

Vitamin C

185.5

mg

225

%

Calcium

129

mg

13

%

Iron

1.9

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: broccoli salad

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 349

This broccoli salad recipe was originally published in 2010 and here is the original photo. Thank you for making this salad famous with all of your fantastic reviews, and for sharing this recipe with the people you love!

Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (9)

Natasha Kravchuk

Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (10)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe (VIDEO)? ›

For salads, you'll want a nice crunchy apple that doesn't brown too quickly when sliced or chopped ghostwriter referat. The best apples for adding to salads are: Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, Piñata®, Jazz, Envy, and Empire.

What is the best apple for salads? ›

For salads, you'll want a nice crunchy apple that doesn't brown too quickly when sliced or chopped ghostwriter referat. The best apples for adding to salads are: Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, Piñata®, Jazz, Envy, and Empire.

Why do you blanch broccoli for salad? ›

The short cooking time brings out the natural colors in the fruit or vegetable before they can turn a displeasing color (because no one wants to eat ugly broccoli!). By stopping the cooking process, the color-changing enzymes are deactivated and the vegetable maintains its vibrant color.

How to make brocoli salad? ›

Whisk together mayonnaise, cider vinegar and honey. Toss salad ingredients with dressing: Combine broccoli florets, almonds, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, and peas in a large serving bowl. Add dressing to the salad and toss to mix well.

What is the healthiest apple to eat everyday? ›

Red Delicious Apples

They've got more polyphenolic compounds than most other apples, with most of the nutrition in the skin – so be sure not to peel them before chowing down. Red Delicious apples contain more anthocyanidins that provide their color and powerful antioxidants.

How should apples be cut for salad? ›

How should apples be cut for salad? If you want to make a slaw, cut them in matchsticks, but you can also dice them or thinly slice them in salads too.

How do you keep apple salad from turning brown? ›

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice (or 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar). Dip the cut fruit into the water until it's completely coated before removing it to a mixing bowl. This method works especially well for fruit salads featuring apples or pears.

What is ambrosia salad made of? ›

It's a sweet and simple combination of pineapple, coconut, mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows in a creamy base.

Why is it called Waldorf salad? ›

Waldorf salad is named for the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City, where it was first created for a charity ball given in honor of the St. Mary's Hospital for Children on March 13, 1896.

Can you eat broccoli raw in a salad? ›

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds. Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds.

What happens if you don't blanch broccoli? ›

You may find that frozen broccoli that hasn't been blanched doesn't have as good of a taste or texture in recipes. However, it's usually fine in soups and stews, especially blended soups where it's not as crucial to have florets with a specific texture.

Should I cut broccoli before blanching? ›

Uniform size: Cut the broccoli florets into pieces that are all about the same size so they cook evenly. Buying: Choose bright green broccoli that has a firm stalk without yellowing florets or brown spots. Broccoli should feel heavy for its size.

Why do you soak broccoli in vinegar? ›

If you're wary about germs, pesticides, and small critters like aphids, and a quick wash under running water just doesn't seem enough, all you need is a solution of vinegar and water. A vinegar soak can give broccoli a deeper, more thorough cleaning job.

What does broccoli salad contain? ›

Combine bacon, broccoli, cheese, and onion in a large bowl. Whisk mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar, pepper, salt, and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Pour over salad and toss to combine.

When not to use broccoli? ›

It might look limp, discolored or wrinkled, all signs that broccoli is going bad. You don't want to see off colors, either. Broccoli should be green, so it's a bad sign if the florets turn yellow or brown. If there are any visible mold spots, or if the broccoli looks mushy, it's definitely time to toss the bunch.

Which apples are best for eating raw? ›

The Best Apples to Eat Raw
  • Honeycrisp.
  • Braeburn.
  • Fuji.
  • Gala.
  • Golden Delicious.
  • McIntosh.
  • Empire.

Are Gala or Fuji apples better for eating? ›

Gala apples are better for eating raw and are best if you wanted to do salads with apples or if you wanted to add sweetness and crunch to your lunchtime sandwich. Fuji apples, on the other hand, are the better choice for cooking. This is because of the different textures of the two types of apples.

What is the best apple for just eating? ›

Honeycrisp. If there was ever a perfect apple for snacking, this might be it. It's fragrant, sweet and tart. Plus, its shatteringly crisp texture works well when used as a topping on open-faced sandwiches.

Which apples cook down the best? ›

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

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