This Broccoli Apple and Bacon Salad is the perfect combination of fresh, crunchy, sweet, and savory! Crisp broccoli florets, juicy apples, smoky crispy bacon, chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy sunflower seeds are tossed in a creamy homemade dressing. It’s an easy side dish that’s perfect for summer cookouts, holiday dinners, potlucks, or a quick lunch.
The best part? You can prepare it ahead of time, making it a delicious and convenient addition to almost any meal.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Course: Salad, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
- Method: No-bake
Ingredients
Layered Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad (Make It the Day Before) – My Home Made Recipe
For the Salad
- 5 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 medium apples, diced (Honeycrisp or Fuji work well)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
For the Creamy Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Bacon
Freshly Cooked Bacon Draining on PaperTowel
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and crispy. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble it into small pieces.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables and Apples
Broccoli Salad Recipe | SideChef
Wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli. Cut it into small, bite-sized florets.
Core the apples and dice them into small cubes. Finely chop the red onion.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing
Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Cheddar – Potluck Ready!
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
Mix until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity if needed.
Step 4: Combine the Salad Ingredients
Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe | Cub
Add the broccoli, diced apples, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese to a large mixing bowl.
Reserve a little bacon and a few sunflower seeds for garnish.
Step 5: Add the Dressing
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Pour the creamy dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Add most of the crumbled bacon and mix lightly.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
Sprød broccolisalat med bacon, æble og cremet dressing
Cover the salad and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
Before serving, sprinkle the reserved bacon and sunflower seeds on top for extra crunch. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Broccoli Apple and Bacon Salad
- Choose crisp apples: Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala apples add wonderful sweetness and crunch.
- Keep broccoli dry: Thoroughly dry the broccoli after washing so the dressing stays creamy.
- Cook bacon until crispy: Crispy bacon adds the best smoky flavor and texture.
- Cut everything evenly: Small, bite-sized pieces make the salad easier to eat.
- Add bacon before serving: Reserve some bacon for the topping to keep it crunchy.
- Make it ahead: Prepare the dressing and vegetables separately, then combine closer to serving.
Easy Variations
- Add nuts: Use chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds instead of sunflower seeds.
- Make it lighter: Replace some or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Add more fruit: Try diced pears, grapes, or extra dried cranberries.
- Make it extra cheesy: Add more sharp cheddar or crumbled feta.
- Add extra protein: Toss in cooked shredded chicken for a more filling meal.
What to Serve with Broccoli Apple and Bacon Salad
BBQ & Picnic | Summer Grilling & Picnic Food | ALDI US
This salad pairs beautifully with:
- Grilled chicken or barbecue chicken.
- Roasted pork tenderloin.
- Grilled salmon.
- Burgers and sandwiches.
- Roasted potatoes.
- Holiday turkey or ham.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Best texture: Add reserved bacon and sunflower seeds just before serving.
- Make ahead: Prepare the dressing and chop the broccoli and onion up to 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated separately. Dice the apples and assemble shortly before serving.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended because the fresh broccoli, apples, and creamy dressing will lose their texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make broccoli apple and bacon salad the day before?
Yes! You can prepare the dressing and most of the salad ingredients a day ahead. For the freshest texture, dice the apples and add the bacon and seeds shortly before serving.
2. Should I cook the broccoli before adding it?
No. Fresh raw broccoli gives this salad its signature crunchy texture. Just wash, dry, and chop it into bite-sized florets.
3. What are the best apples for this salad?
Honeycrisp and Fuji apples are excellent choices because they are naturally sweet, crisp, and hold their shape.
4. Can I make this salad without mayonnaise?
Absolutely! Replace the mayonnaise with additional plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangy dressing.
5. How do I keep apples from turning brown?
Toss the diced apples with a little lemon juice before adding them to the salad. This helps slow browning.
Printable Recipe Card
Broccoli Apple and Bacon Salad
A crunchy, creamy salad made with fresh broccoli, sweet apples, crispy bacon, dried cranberries, and a tangy homemade dressing.
PREP TIME
20 minutes
COOK TIME
10 minutes
TOTAL TIME
30 minutes
SERVINGS
6
Ingredients
- 5 cups broccoli florets
- 2 medium apples, diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook bacon until crispy, cool, and crumble.
- Wash and chop broccoli into bite-sized florets.
- Dice apples and finely chop red onion.
- Whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Combine broccoli, apples, cranberries, sunflower seeds, onion, and cheddar.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss well.
- Stir in most of the bacon.
- Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes. Garnish with reserved bacon and seeds before serving.
Notes: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the reserved bacon and seeds separate until serving for the best crunch.
