This Broccoli Salad Recipe with creamy lemon dressing is one of the first and most loved recipes on my blog; an oldie but a goodie!

Broccoli Apple Salad is loaded with crunchy broccoli, crisp apples, chewy craisins, and toasted pecans. The creamy dressing brings everything together and it just works.

Broccoli salad with apples in serving bowl

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Broccoli Salad Video

Watch Natasha make this easy Broccoli Salad. I hope you’re inspired to make and experience it for yourself! If you haven’t already, please subscribe to our Youtube Cooking Channel and click on the bell icon so you’ll know every time we post a new video.

This Broccoli Apple Salad is my Mama-in-laws that has been a family favorite for years. All of the flavors work really well together. It also refrigerates really well overnight even after stirring in the dressing.

Broccoli Salad dressed with a creamy lemon dressing up close in serving bowl with broccoli, pecans, craisins, carrots, onion and apple

Ingredients for Broccoli Salad

This salad has a shortlist of ingredients but each is important for that It’s sweet, tart, and crisp flavor profile.

  • Broccoli – we used 2 medium heads or about 1 lb of fresh broccoli.
  • Carrot – should be peeled and grated or sliced on a julienne slicer
  • Apple – any crisp, sweet apple will work
  • Onion – use 1/4 cup finely chopped. Yellow, sweet onion or red onion will work
  • Walnuts – toast on a skillet until fragrant and golden. You can substitute with pecans
  • Dried Cranberries – craisins add a sweet tangy bite to the salad. You can substitute it with raisins.
Broccoli Salad Ingredients with broccoli, apple, carrots, onion, nuts, craisins

The Best Creamy Dressing

This creamy lemon salad dressing combines real mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh squeezed lemon juice, sugar salt, and pepper. The sour cream lightens up this creamy dressing and the lemon adds a vibrant fresh flavor.

Creamy salad dressing ingredients

How to Make Broccoli Salad

  1. Toast walnuts on a dry skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a plate to cool.
  2. Combine salad ingredients – place all of your sliced, shredded and chopped salad ingredients into a mixing bowl.
  3. Make Dressing – stir together the salad dressing ingredients, adding lemon juice and sugar to taste.
  4. Toss and Serve – Add dressing to the salad to taste and stir until well coated in dressing.
Prepared ingredients for making broccoli salad

Common Questions

Can you eat raw broccoli?

It isn’t necessary at all to cook the broccoli in this salad and broccoli eaten raw is more nutritious. We also love the crunchiness and vibrant color it adds to the salad. When the florets are cut small, they are easy to chew and so satisfying!

Can I cook the broccoli?

Some readers have shared good results with blanch the broccoli to soften it a bit. If you blanch the broccoli, just be sure it is chilled and patted dry before adding to the salad.

Can I use broccoli stems in salad?

Broccoli stems can be used in salad and we often do include them. Use a potato peeler to peel away the tough fibrous outer layer of the stem before using.

Can I substitute the sugar?

To make this a paleo broccoli salad, you can substitute the sugar with honey, adding it to taste.

How to serve broccoli salad recipe with apples, pecans and craisins

Make-Ahead

This broccoli salad refrigerates well so if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, it will still be delicious the next day. Be sure to cover tightly and refrigerate. The lemon dressing preserves the apples and slows down the browning process.

More Broccoli Recipes to Explore

Broccoli Apple salad is perfect for potlucks, BBQs, picnics, you name it. This salad has been well-loved by our family and readers for years and I hope it becomes a favorite for you as well.

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Creamy Lemon Dressing (VIDEO)

4.96 from 120 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Broccoli Salad in a bowl
The ORIGINAL Broccoli Salad Recipe – loaded with broccoli, apples, craisins, and pecans, and tossed in a creamy lemon dressing. A must-try potluck favorite!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 as a side salad

Ingredients for Broccoli Salad Recipe:

  • 2 medium broccoli heads , (about 1 lb)
  • 1 large carrot, grated or julienned
  • 1 apple, cored and chopped
  • 1/2 small red onion, (1/4 cup thinly sliced)
  • 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted
  • 1/2 cup craisins or raisins

Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Dressing:

Instructions

  • Toast walnuts or pecans over medium/ high heat, tossing them occasionally so they don't burn. Heat about 4-5 minutes then transfer to a cutting board and coarsley chop.
  • Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces, grate carrot, chop the apple and thinly slice onion, and transfer into a salad bowl. Add toasted pecans and dried raisins or cranberries.
  • To make the creamy dressing, combine: mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar (to taste), salt and pepper. Mix well.
  • Add dressing to taste or use the full amount like we do and toss to combine.

Nutrition Per Serving

349kcal Calories30g Carbs7g Protein24g Fat5g Saturated Fat17mg Cholesterol305mg Sodium779mg Potassium7g Fiber16g Sugar3110IU Vitamin A185.5mg Vitamin C129mg Calcium1.9mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Broccoli Salad Recipe with Creamy Lemon Dressing (VIDEO)
Amount per Serving
Calories
349
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
24
g
37
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Cholesterol
 
17
mg
6
%
Sodium
 
305
mg
13
%
Potassium
 
779
mg
22
%
Carbohydrates
 
30
g
10
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
16
g
18
%
Protein
 
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
3110
IU
62
%
Vitamin C
 
185.5
mg
225
%
Calcium
 
129
mg
13
%
Iron
 
1.9
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: broccoli salad
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 349

This broccoli salad recipe was originally published in 2010 and here is the original photo. Thank you for making this salad famous with all of your fantastic reviews, and for sharing this recipe with the people you love!

This broccoli apple salad with crisp apples, walnuts and creamy lemon dressing has been a family favorite for years. All of the flavors work really well together. The best Broccoli Salad! | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Nancy Price
    August 26, 2023

    My family and I love this salad ❤ it’s now a family favorite ❤

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 26, 2023

      That is the best when the family loves what we moms make. That’s so great!

      Reply

  • Alexandra Martell
    June 29, 2023

    If I make this Brocolli salad the day before using will the apples not turn brown?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 29, 2023

      Hi Alexandra! It refrigerates really well overnight even after stirring in the dressing. The lemon juice helps slow down the browning.

      Reply

  • Quiqui Dagle
    June 18, 2023

    Going to make this today. What type of apple do you recommend?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 19, 2023

      Hi! Any crisp, sweet apple will work.

      Reply

  • Quiqui Dagle
    June 18, 2023

    Going to make this today. What type of apple do you recommend? Love your recipes and have made several. You’re a treasure!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 18, 2023

      Thank you so much! Any crisp, sweet apple will work.

      Reply

  • Rob in Boston
    May 14, 2023

    This was delicious. I was worried that the lemon juice would make the dressing too sour but no, it was perfectly balanced. I look forward to trying your other recipes now.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 14, 2023

      Hi Rob! I’m so glad you loved it. Thank you for sharing and I hope you will find many more recipes to enjoy.

      Reply

  • Kare
    February 15, 2023

    Can you please tell me how long this will keep in the fridge after preparing. Thank you.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 15, 2023

      It refrigerates well overnight even after stirring in the dressing. But I would eat it within the first 1-2 days.

      Reply

  • Randi
    February 5, 2023

    Love the broccoli salad and your blog in total. Many thanks for sharing!
    🙂 Randi

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 5, 2023

      Thank you for your love and support, we appreciate it!

      Reply

  • Janet Brown
    January 27, 2023

    I need to 4x this recipe in size I’m making this for a very lge gathering could you help me out please? I made this salad before for the same group, but wasn’t as big it was a hit and they ask me to make it again. I sure could use your help. Thank you in advance.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 27, 2023

      Hi Janet! At the top of the recipe card, you can adjust the number of servings and it will convert the ingredient list for you.

      Reply

  • Christine
    December 11, 2022

    I fixed this for a Christmas party. No changes! Hugh hit, so delicious! Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 11, 2022

      You’re very welcome! Great to hear that this was a huge hit!

      Reply

  • Chrissy
    December 11, 2022

    I fixed this for a Christmas party last night. No changes! Hugh hit, so delicious! Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 11, 2022

      You’re welcome, glad to hear!

      Reply

  • Mabel Hart
    November 2, 2022

    Yum on all your recipes. Thank you for your Cook Book: I will order three …. Please make them Healthy . God Bless !! 🙏🏻🎉💐🥇

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 2, 2022

      Thank you, Mabel! Fall 2023 is the expected release so stay tuned for when we have more information to announce. 🙂

      Reply

  • Mitchell
    October 13, 2022

    Thank you.
    I switch this up each time depending on what’s fresh or doubling it. I always come back to this saved post for my base.
    It’s a great recipe and I use it over and over with great results each time.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 13, 2022

      I’m so glad to hear that, Mitchell! Thank you.

      Reply

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