After your first bite you'll be wondering where this chilled Broccoli Apple Salad has been all you life! It's a refreshing and healthy salad you'll want to have on hand year-round.
I love it when a good side dish can eclipse the main course, don't you? Here are some of my absolute favorite side dish recipes that do just that. Check them out and let me know what you think: Cheesy Farro and Onion Bake, Old-Fashioned Kidney Bean Salad, Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad, and Roasted Baby Potatoes with Onion and Parmesan.
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Go directly to the recipe.
- The ingredients:
- Ingredient information:
- Kitchen tools and equipment necessary:
- Add-in and substitution suggestions:
- My tips and tricks for recipe success:
- What are some of the health benefits of broccoli?
- How to blanch fresh broccoli in a microwave:
- Will the apple in this salad oxidize and turn brown?
- What are the health benefits of apples?
- How to remove some of the "bite" from raw red onion:
- Is this chilled salad only for the summertime?
- When should you serve chilled broccoli and apple salad?
- What to serve alongside chilled broccoli and apple salad?
- How long will this broccoli salad last in the refrigerator?
- Additional side dishes for backyard BBQs, or parties:
- It's time to eat!!
- Printable Recipe Card
- Chilled Broccoli Apple Salad
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredients:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
Ingredient information:
FRESH BROCCOLI FLORETS - I say fresh for this recipe because using frozen broccoli would be a disaster. Fresh broccoli florets stand up beautifully for days and days when covered in the light dressing, not to mention that the flavor and texture of fresh broccoli is far superior to frozen in this type of recipe. *Note - Please see additional information below for how to lightly blanch fresh broccoli florets for this recipe, if desired.
APPLE - Feel free to use your favorite apple variety in this salad. I used the pink lady variety because it holds its crisp texture and because it has a sweet yet puckery flavor that marries well with the flavor of the broccoli and the dressing.
RED ONION - The red onion in this salad brings wonderful onion flavor and crunch without taking center stage. You can limit the amount of diced red onion you use if desired, but I urge you to keep the ingredient in the dish even if you're limiting the amount from what the recipe calls for. *Note - Please see the section below regarding the easy method for reducing an onion's pungent flavor.
PRE-COOKED BACON - Of course, you can pre-cook bacon at home, or you can use the store-bought pre-cooked bacon, which I used this time for convenience. Cooking bacon at home will allow you to crisp the bacon to your desired doneness in the method you prefer (oven, stovetop, microwave, or air fryer).
MAYONNAISE - Feel free to use your favorite mayonnaise variety. I used Dukes, but any brand will work. However, if you use something like Miracle Whip (sandwich spread) that is mayonnaise-like, it is pre-sweetened, and by adding additional honey (as the recipe calls for), the dressing may become overly sweet, but you be the judge. Taste as you go. *Note - please see the substitution section below if you're not a fan of mayonnaise.
PLAIN GREEK YOGURT - The plain Greek yogurt will add a slight tang and balanced flavor to the dressing, and it will also help keep the apples from oxidizing.*Note - please see the section below for substitution suggestion, if needed.
RED WINE VINEGAR - This is another ingredient that will aid in keeping the chopped apples fresh in color. Other vinegars may be used. *Note - please see the substitution section below if red wine vinegar isn't available.
HONEY - I love using honey as the sweet component in this recipe instead of sugar. Using any type of sweetener in this chilled broccoli salad is completely optional, but I find the touch of honey balances the flavor, and the sweetness brings that sweet and savory factor that hits all the right bells and whistles on the taste buds. *Note - please see the section below for substitution suggestion, if needed.
BLACK PEPPER - I always use freshly cracked black peppercorns for the optimal flavor. The pepper in this recipe is used both in the mayonnaise-based dressing and after the salad has been fully assembled and ready to chill out in the fridge before serving. Feel free to use the black pepper to taste.
KOSHER SALT - The salt in the recipe is minimal due to the tang the Greek yogurt and red wine vinegar both provide. That said, this recipe (as with all my recipes) is written using kosher salt. If using table salt, please see the gray box below.
*Important Note—If using table salt instead of kosher salt, please cut back on the amount of salt called for in the recipe card by half because they measure differently due to grain size.
Kitchen tools and equipment necessary:
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- mixing bowls
- measuring cups and spoons
- spatula
- whisk
- microwave-safe bowl
Add-in and substitution suggestions:
Substitution suggestions:
You can replace sour cream for the Greek yogurt; agave for the honey; any variety onion for the red onion; white wine or apple cider vinegar for the red wine vinegar; and in place of mayonnaise, substitute Greek Yogurt (or sour cream) blended with 1 tablespoon of avocado or extra virgin olive oil.
Add in suggestions:
- chopped cooked chicken
- cooked pasta
- chopped nuts or seeds (any variety)
- dried fruit (any variety)
- cubed or shredded cheese (any variety)
My tips and tricks for recipe success:
Blanch the raw broccoli florets for the best flavor and color. Once blanched, cool (and dry, if needed) the broccoli completely before assembling the salad.
Chop the apples in relatively the same size as the broccoli florets to make serving and eating more manageable.
Once assembled, allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator (covered) for at least 3 hours before serving.
This salad is best served chilled.
What are some of the health benefits of broccoli?
Broccoli is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense food. It supplies essential vitamins and minerals, is high in fiber, can reduce stress and inflammation.
How to blanch fresh broccoli in a microwave:
Place the washed (and dried) broccoli florets in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or other microwave-safe covering, and microwave for 60-90 seconds on high power (depending on your desired doneness). Cool the broccoli completely before continuing on with the recipe.
Will the apple in this salad oxidize and turn brown?
Nope.
The acidic component of the vinegar and the Greek yogurt will prevent that from happening.
What are the health benefits of apples?
I'm not sure about the old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," but I do know that apples contain soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, they contain soluble fiber which lowers cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
How to remove some of the "bite" from raw red onion:
It may sound odd, but did you know that soaking a sliced or chopped raw red onion will remove some of the onion's sulfur, thereby making it slightly less pungent and harsh tasting?
Is this chilled salad only for the summertime?
No way.
This is the perfect vegetable dish to serve all year long. It's versatile, healthy, colorful, and extremely delicious.
When should you serve chilled broccoli and apple salad?
Pot lucks, family gatherings, BBQs and picnics, Thanksgiving, church socials, ladies' luncheons, showers (bridal and baby), birthday parties, anniversary parties, and any average day of the week.
What to serve alongside chilled broccoli and apple salad?
Skillet Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Cinnamon would make an excellent protein to go along with this fresh, chilled broccoli salad.
Roasted Baby Potatoes with Onion and Parmesan are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. They're easy to make and pair well with almost anything.
An Apple Crumble Crostata is a rustic yet elegant dessert that looks time-consuming and difficult to make, but that can be our little secret!
How long will this broccoli salad last in the refrigerator?
Store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Additional side dishes for backyard BBQs, or parties:
Please click on the button below for many delicious options.
It's time to eat!!
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did. Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Chilled Broccoli Apple Salad
Equipment
- plastic wrap optional
Ingredients
To make the dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon black pepper divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the salad:
- 4 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium apple (I used pink lady) core removed and diced into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup red onion finely chopped
- 7 slices pre-cooked bacon chopped into ½" pieces
Instructions
- Place the broccoli florets in a microwave safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a paper plate. Microwave on high power for 50-60 seconds. Remove and cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, honey, and black pepper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the broccoli florets, diced red onion, and chopped apple. Pour the dressing over the broccoli and apple mixture, stirring well to combine.
- Add the prepared, chopped bacon into the bowl with the broccoli and the salt and remaining ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Cover well and refrigerate for at least 3 hours for the flavors to combine before serving. Serve cold.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you'll enjoy making (and eating) today's refreshing and light chilled broccoli salad with apples, bacon, and red onion as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
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