Description

A crisp and refreshing Broccoli Apple Salad featuring fresh broccoli florets, sweet apples, crunchy pecans, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a tangy and creamy dressing made from lite mayonnaise and low-fat Greek yogurt. Perfect as a healthy side dish or a light lunch, this salad combines sweet, tart, and nutty flavors with vibrant textures for a delightful eating experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads)
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 large gala apples, finely chopped
1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Dressing Ingredients

1/2 cup lite mayonnaise
1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the fresh broccoli florets, shredded carrots, diced red onion, finely chopped apples, coarsely chopped pecans, and dried cranberries. Gently toss to mix all the solid ingredients evenly.
Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the lite mayonnaise, low-fat Greek yogurt, freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined. This creates a creamy, tangy dressing that balances the sweetness of the salad perfectly.
Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to ensure every bite is coated with the flavorful dressing. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

For added crunch and variety, consider adding sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts.
Use apples that are firm and sweet, like Gala or Fuji, for best texture and flavor.
This salad can be prepared a few hours ahead and stored in the fridge to develop more flavor.
Adjust sugar quantity based on your preferred sweetness level or substitute with honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetener.
Serve chilled as a side for grilled meats or as a light vegetarian lunch option.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: broccoli apple salad, healthy salad, low fat salad, no cook salad, broccoli salad with apples and pecans, creamy broccoli salad, fresh vegetable salad