Apple and Broccoli Salad

Updated Oct. 18, 2024

Apple and Broccoli Salad
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Total Time
25 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(140)
Comments
Read comments

This vibrant, gutsy raw broccoli salad has fresh flavors that play on bitterness, fruitiness and texture. Ordinarily tough to eat, stringy broccoli stalks become magically crisp and tender if you peel the woody outside, then thinly slice the peeled spears crosswise against the fiber grains that run along its length. The sweetness of red apple works seamlessly to balance the bite of the raw green vegetable, but for sour seekers, a Granny Smith apple can be divine (and intensely puckery). This salad makes a nice, light lunch with crusty bread and extra shards of Parmesan or is great as a side dish to chicken.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 1pound broccoli with stalks
  • 1crisp sweet-tart red apple, such as Pink Lady or Honeycrisp
  • 2tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
  • 6tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • teaspoons dried oregano
  • ½ to 1teaspoon crushed red pepper (depending on heat preference), plus more to taste
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1(1 ounce) chunk Parmesan, plus more to taste
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

275 calories; 23 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 15 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 15 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 6 grams protein; 462 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut off the broccoli’s stalks, then peel off and discard the tough outsides. Thinly slice the stalks crosswise at an angle, so you end up with long planks. Thinly slice the broccoli’s florets lengthwise. Add the broccoli to a large bowl.

  2. Step 2

    Quarter, core and thinly slice the apple, then add to the bowl. Splash the vinegar and lemon juice over the apples to prevent browning.

  3. Step 3

    Add the olive oil, oregano, red pepper, ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Using a Microplane or the fine holes of a box grater, finely grate the cheese over the salad. Toss to combine, then taste for seasoning, adding more salt, lemon juice and red pepper as desired. Garnish with a final dusting of cheese, if desired.

  4. Step 4

    Serve immediately or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. (The longer it sits, the more the flavors will balance and the broccoli will tenderize.)

Ratings

5 out of 5
140 user ratings
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Comments

Delish, fresh and tasty … though next time I will scant the salt (too much with the parm I had) and red pepper flakes (personal taste but a little goes a long way for me) and adjust after combining. Also will add some walnuts or almonds. And hmmm… dried cherries?

Cosmic Crisp apples are very good in this. The soft Honeycrisp just doesn’t match the crunch of the broccoli. Pink Lady’s with the other acids are to tart.

What great timing as I had some broccoli heads that I didn’t feel like steaming or roasting. This worked out so well! Did the lower end of the red pepper flakes and we get the heat, so start small and add more if needed.

I'm not a huge fan of raw broccoli, but I really liked this and my husband devoured it. I followed the recipe except also added some toasted walnuts, mint and some leftover vietnamese pickled carrots. I thought it would last a a few days but it was eaten quickly! It's definitely going in the salad rotation here.

@mike Agreed. I plan to lightly steam the florets and cut them much smaller next time.

a lot of work to process the broccoli and raw broccoli just doesn't taste that good. it didn't "cure" into anything yummier like a kale salad does. I tried it the next day and still was just ok, not worth the time. I did the recipe exactly.

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