Mediterranean Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

Fresh • Crunchy • Sweet-Savory • Anti-Inflammatory
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
No cooking needed

🛒 Ingredients

Salad

4 cups fresh broccoli florets (chopped small)
1 large Honeycrisp apple, diced or thinly sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup chopped walnuts or pistachios
⅓ cup golden raisins or chopped dates (optional for natural sweetness)
½ cup chopped parsley or fresh mint
¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional but very Mediterranean)

Mediterranean Lemon-Olive Oil Dressing

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 ½ tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½–1 tsp honey or a drop of monk fruit (optional)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp dried oregano
Optional: ½ tsp sumac (gives a tangy Mediterranean flavor)

🥗 Instructions

1. Prepare the broccoli

Chop florets into small bite-size pieces so they blend well with the apple.
Optional: briefly soak chopped broccoli in warm water for 1 minute → makes it tender & sweeter. Then drain well.

2. Prepare the apple

Dice or thinly slice the Honeycrisp apple.
Optional: toss lightly in 1 tsp lemon juice to keep it from browning.

3. Combine the salad

In a large bowl, add:

Broccoli
Apple
Red onion
Nuts
Raisins/dates (if using)
Parsley or mint
Feta (optional)

Toss lightly.

4. Make the dressing

Whisk together all dressing ingredients until emulsified.

Taste and adjust:
• more lemon for brightness
• more olive oil for richness
• more oregano for deeper Mediterranean flavor

5. Dress the salad

Pour the dressing over the salad.
Toss well.
Let sit 10 minutes to absorb flavors.

✨ Flavor & Texture

Sweet + tart apple
Crunchy broccoli
Savory herbs
Creamy bits of feta
Bright lemon & olive oil finish
Totally refreshing, very Mediterranean

🫒 Mediterranean Add-In Options

Choose one or two:

Chickpeas for protein
Cherry tomatoes
Pine nuts
Green olives
Pomegranate seeds
Fresh basil instead of parsley

🔄 Healthier Variations

Low-Carb / No Sugar

Skip raisins/dates
Add more nuts or seeds

Dairy-Free

Omit feta
Add 1 tbsp tahini to the dressing

High-Protein

Add grilled chicken, tuna, or chickpeas