Dessert

Broccoli Apple Salad with Cranberries and Pecans Recipe

ByRafael Mansero December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

Introduction

This Broccoli Apple Salad is a refreshing and crunchy mix of fresh vegetables and sweet apples, tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect as a side dish or a light lunch, it combines fresh flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy.

The image shows a fresh broccoli salad in a white speckled bowl, with bright green broccoli florets as the main layer, mixed with thin orange carrot strips and crisp red apple slices that have white flesh and red skin. Small pieces of light brown walnuts and dark dried cranberries are scattered throughout, adding texture and color contrasts. Everything is coated lightly in a creamy white dressing, giving a slightly glossy look. A wooden spoon with a smooth texture rests inside the bowl, slightly lifting some of the salad. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, shredded carrots, diced red onion, chopped apples, pecans, and dried cranberries.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Step 4: Chill the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.

Tips & Variations

For a nut-free version, substitute pecans with sunflower seeds or omit them entirely.
Try using different apple varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp for a change in sweetness and crunch.
Adding a handful of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill can brighten the salad’s flavor.
To make it vegan, substitute mayonnaise and Greek yogurt with plant-based alternatives.

Storage

Store the broccoli apple salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep the salad fresh and crunchy, it’s best to add the dressing just before serving if storing the ingredients separately. If precooked, toss gently before serving.

How to Serve

A clear glass bowl holds a colorful mix of salad ingredients, neatly placed in separate sections. Starting with bright green broccoli florets in the top left, followed by crunchy chopped red onions with a pale purple shade. Next, a pile of shredded orange carrots sits below the onions. In the middle right, there are several slices of red and yellow apple wedges stacked in layers, showing the fresh skin and pale inner fruit. On the top right, chunks of brown pecans add texture. Below the apples, dark red dried cranberries create contrast. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and the photo is bright and clear, showing fresh and crisp ingredients. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the ingredients ahead and store them separately. However, toss with the dressing just before serving to keep the broccoli crisp and the salad fresh.