Description
This Crunchy Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries is a delicious blend of textures and flavors, combining crispy broccoli, sweet apples and pears, toasted cashews, and chewy cranberries in a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s nutrient-packed, refreshing, and perfect for meal prep, holiday feasts, or a quick, healthy lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 5 cups bite-sized chopped broccoli florets
- 1 apple, cored and diced
- 1 firm pear, cored and diced
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 1 cup cashews, toasted or roasted
- 1 cup dried cranberries
For the Creamy Salad Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream (or substitute with kefir or Greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup honey, softened
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
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Prepare the Ingredients:
- Chop the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets.
- Core and dice the apple and pear into small chunks.
- Finely dice the red onion to balance the flavors.
- If your cashews aren’t toasted, roast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown.
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Mix the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the broccoli, diced apple, diced pear, red onion, cashews, and dried cranberries.
- Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
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Make the Dressing:
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream (or kefir/Greek yogurt), lemon juice, honey, and salt.
- Ensure the honey is well blended for a smooth and creamy texture.
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Dress the Salad:
- Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad.
- Toss gently until all ingredients are well coated.
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Chill and Serve:
- Cover and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
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Garnish and Enjoy:
- Before serving, garnish with extra cashews or fresh herbs like parsley or chives for added flavor.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crunch, add sunflower seeds or slivered almonds.
- To prevent apples and pears from browning, toss them with a little lemon juice before adding them to the salad.
- For a dairy-free version, use plant-based yogurt or dairy-free sour cream.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American