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    You are here: Home / Side Dishes / Vegan Apple Broccoli Salad

    Vegan Apple Broccoli Salad

    Published: October 22, 2022. Last Updated: October 22, 2022 by: Ligia Lugo

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    Two photos oe above the other with broccoli salad in a black and white geometric bowl.
    Two photos one above the other of fresh broccoli and apple salad in a black and white geometric bowl. Text in the center for Pinterest.
    Two photos one above the other with broccoli, apple and raisins all tossedtogether with a sweet vinegar dressing. Text through the center in red as a description.
    Two bowls full of shredded broccoli and cubed apples.
    Two photos oe above the other with broccoli salad in a black and white geometric bowl.

    Apple Broccoli Salad- Chopped broccoli florets, matchstick broccoli stems, sweet apple pieces, red onion, raisins, and sunflower seeds are tossed in a sweet yet tangy dressing made with apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. This salad is fresh, simple to make, and surprisingly delicious! 

    Front view of black & white bowl filled with apple broccoli salad.

    What do apples and broccoli have in common? They're both quintessential fall foods! Apples are perfect for apple pie and sauce and can be eaten raw or cooked. Broccoli is a great side dish to any meal and is a good source of fiber and vitamins C and K. But what do you get if you combine the two healthy autumn essentials? Delicious apple broccoli salad!

    I know it's an odd combination, but trust me, it's delicious! This broccoli salad is incredible because it's full of flavor and texture. The apples add a sweetness that contrasts perfectly with the broccoli, and the dressing gives it all a tangy kick. Plus, it's really easy to make, so you can put it together in no time. Serve it up at your next fall potluck or barbecue, and watch it disappear!

    Overhead view of a white bowl filled with chopped fresh greens.

    Why You'll Love This Vegan Broccoli Salad Recipe

    Fresh- This broccoli salad is a light and refreshing side dish made with raw broccoli, crisp apples, and a sweet and tangy dressing. 

    Easy To Make- Apple broccoli salad comes together quickly and easily with just a few simple ingredients. 

    Perfect For Any Occasion- Broccoli apple salad is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or any other gathering. It's also great for meal prep and makes a delicious lunch or dinner side dish.

    Beautiful- Vegan apple broccoli salad is as pretty as it is delicious. The bright colors and vibrant flavors are sure to please any crowd. 

    Sweet And Tangy- The dressing for this salad is made with apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. It's the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. 

    cropped black and white bowl filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.

    Equipment Needed To Make Homemade Apple Broccoli Salad

    • Cutting Board
    • Knife
    • Large Bowl
    • Medium Bowl
    • Large Spoon
    • Measuring Cups and Spoons

    What Is In Broccoli Salad?

    For The Salad:

    • Fresh Broccoli
    • Apples
    • Red Onion
    • Raisins
    • Shelled Sunflower Seeds

    For The Dressing:

    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • Minced Garlic
    • Maple Syrup
    • Salt
    • Pepper

    How To Make Apple Broccoli Salad At Home

    To make homemade broccoli salad, you'll want to break the process down into two parts, the salad and the dressing for the salad.

    Wash your broccoli under running water, cut the florets from the stalks, and set the stalks aside. Cut the florets into small pieces and place them into a large bowl.

    Cut the hard outer skin off for the stems to get to the more tender inside and discard the skin. Cut the inner stems into matchstick-like pieces. Add the matchstick broccoli pieces to the large bowl. Dice your red onion and apples and add them to the bowl with the broccoli, raisins, and sunflower seeds.

    Now it's time to make the dressing. Add all the dressing ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk until well combined. Once the dressing is mixed well, pour it over the broccoli apple salad, and toss it well, coating everything evenly.

    Chill broccoli salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Super close cropped photo of a geometric patterned bowl filled to overflowing with green and red vegetable salad.

    What to Serve/Pair With Vegan Apple Broccoli Salad

    This broccoli salad is perfect for bringing to a potluck, bbq, or holiday gathering. It's also a great side dish for a weeknight dinner. Serve it with grilled tofu, tempeh, or seitan. It could also be served alongside black bean burgers, lentil soup, or roasted cauliflower.

    Popular Substitutions & Additions

    While this sweet and tangy salad is delicious as written, there are a few substitutions and additions you could make.

    Nuts- If you don't have sunflower seeds on hand or are looking for a different flavor, try using chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans. You could also use roasted peanuts for a bit of a salty crunch.

    Fruit- I like the sweetness that apples add to this salad, but if you don't have apples, you could use pears, grapes, or mandarin oranges.

    Veggies- You could also add in other chopped veggies such as carrots, celery, or radishes.
    Cheese- For a great cheesy flavor, add vegan crumbled feta cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, or sprinkle on some nutritional yeast.

    How To Reheat & Store Broccoli Apple Salad

    This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Broccoli apple salad is best served cold or at room temperature when you're ready to eat it; give it a good stir and enjoy! 

    Two photos one above each other of fresh vegetable and fruit salad in a black and white bowl.

    Vegan Apple Broccoli Salad FAQs

    How do you cut the broccoli stems into matchstick pieces?

    The first step is to start with a sharp knife. A sharp knife will make cutting much easier and prevent you from sawing back and forth, which can make the pieces uneven. Next, cut off the ends of the stems. You can do this at an angle or straight across, whichever you prefer. Then, cut it in half. After it's cut in half, you can cut it into thirds or quarters, depending on how thick you want the matchsticks to be.

    What can I use in place of apple cider vinegar?

    You could use white or red wine vinegar if you don't have apple cider vinegar.

    Can I make apple broccoli salad ahead of time?

    This salad is perfect for meal prep! It can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.

    How long does broccoli salad last?

    When stored properly in an airtight container, broccoli apple salad will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

    Can I freeze homemade vegan broccoli salad?

    I do not recommend freezing this salad as the broccoli will get mushy when thawed. If you have leftover broccoli that you won't be able to eat within a few days, I suggest chopping it up and storing it in the freezer so you can use it for other recipes like stir fry or soup.

    A vividly colored salad in a zigzag patterned black and white bowl.

    Don't Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Homemade Vegan Broccoli Apple Salad Turned Out!

    A vividly colored salad in a zigzag patterned black and white bowl.

    Vegan Apple Broccoli Salad

    Ligia Lugo
    Broccoli, apple, onion, raisins, and sunflower seeds mixed in a sweet, tangy dressing made with apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. It's startlingly delicious!
    4.53 from 255 votes
    Print Save Saved
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Lunch
    Cuisine Salad
    Servings 6 Servings
    Calories 343 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Salad:

    • 4 cups broccoli cut up and shredded (about 2 medium heads)
    • 3 apples of your choice, diced right before you add them to the salad, I used Gala
    • ¼ cup onion red, diced
    • ½ cup raisins
    • ½ cup sunflower seeds shelled

    For the Dressing:

    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup you could use up to 2 tablespoons
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    To prepare the salad:

    • Wash broccoli under running water.  Cut the florets from the stalks and set the stalks aside.
    • Cut the florets into very small pieces. See the photo for a visual. Place in a large bowl.
    • Cut the hard outer skin off of the stems to get down to the tender inside. Discard the outer peelings.
    • Cut the tender inside stems into matchsticks. Or if you have a mandolin that would work well too. If your food processor has an attachment that will cut the stems into long strips (not grated) then that would work also. Scissors work too. The idea is to have very small sticks of raw broccoli stems. They will hold their shape.
    • Add to the large bowl along with the florets.  Add the apples, red onion, raisins and sunflower seeds.

    To make the dressing:

    • In a medium bowl whisk together all of the dressing ingredients.
    • Add the dressing to the salad and toss.  Chill until ready to serve.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 343kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 4gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 317mgPotassium: 485mgFiber: 5gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 425IUVitamin C: 59.9mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 1.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Linda

      June 25, 2022 at 4:31 pm

      5 stars
      can't wait to make this!

    2. Kim

      June 27, 2022 at 5:36 am

      5 stars
      I made this with a few tweaks.
      Added Craisins instead of raisins bc I had them on hand. Added 1 TBS of honey to the dressing. Excellent food for hot summer days! My husband works in a hot factory and he had this as side all week!

    3. Judy

      September 07, 2022 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      I make my broccoli salad like this , but I add chopped walnuts, and also cranberries.
      Everyone loves my broccoli salad.
      I use a sheet dressing.
      Make a day a head of time.

    4. Wendy Chatterton

      October 04, 2022 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      I made this and also added some shredded fiesta cheese because I had it on hand. This will truly satisfy my craving for broccoli salad. I love it.and it will be even better tomorrow. I also used sweet onion and walnuts. I live alone so this will be for a few meals for the salad part of my meal. This recipe is a keeper. I am not vegan but healthy choices are important to me.

    5. NikNola

      December 16, 2022 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      Very good. I added shredded carrots. Will make it again & again!! Thank u for sharing.

    6. Nancy Green-Crawford

      January 04, 2023 at 6:31 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious alternative to a mayo based dressing. I added some orzo because I had some left over. It made a nice dinner salad.

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    For years I dabbled in cooking vegan food, but since I became a mom it has become more important for me than ever. What I’m after is a great collection of healthy and not time-consuming vegan recipes that make the whole family look forward to meals together.

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