Broccoli Salad with Dried Cranberries Recipe
This vibrant Broccoli Salad with Dried Cranberries is a refreshing and crunchy side dish perfect for gatherings or light meals. It combines fresh broccoli florets, crisp apple, and tangy purple onion with a creamy honey vinaigrette, dried cranberries, and roasted pepitas for a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Easy to prepare and chilled before serving, it’s a healthy and delicious salad option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Produce
- 4 cups broccoli florets (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup apple (chopped)
- ¼ cup purple onion (diced)
Dried Fruit & Nuts
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup roasted and salted pepitas
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Cut broccoli crowns into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, chopped apple, and diced purple onion. Toss them together evenly to mix the flavors.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, red wine vinegar, salt, and coarse ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine salad and dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture. Gently toss until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing. Mix in the dried cranberries thoroughly.
- Chill and add pepitas: Cover the salad bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for one hour to allow flavors to meld. Just before serving, stir in the roasted and salted pepitas for a crunchy finish.
Notes
- For best texture, add the pepitas right before serving to maintain their crunch.
- You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing option.
- If you prefer a sweeter salad, increase the honey by an additional teaspoon.
- This salad can be prepared a day ahead but add pepitas fresh to keep them crunchy.
- Use fresh broccoli and apples for the best flavor and texture.
