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.
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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 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.
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.
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.
How to Make Broccoli Salad
- Toast walnuts on a dry skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a plate to cool.
- Combine salad ingredients – place all of your sliced, shredded and chopped salad ingredients into a mixing bowl.
- Make Dressing – stir together the salad dressing ingredients, adding lemon juice and sugar to taste.
- Toss and Serve – Add dressing to the salad to taste and stir until well coated in dressing.
Common Questions
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!
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.
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.
To make this a paleo broccoli salad, you can substitute the sugar with honey, adding it to taste.
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.
Broccoli Salad Recipe with Creamy Lemon Dressing (VIDEO)
Ingredients
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:
- ½ cup mayo
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice, (freshly squeezed)
- ½ Tbsp sugar, or add to taste
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
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
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!
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
This took a while to make but was definitely worth it – It is sooo good! Added bacon…yum
I’m glad you loved it, Sharon!
Love it l’m asked to make this on special occasion. Thanks for sharing this.
You’re so welcome!
This ALWAYS a go to favorite! It’s easy to make and the flavors go so well together.
That’s so great, Sandi! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I was wondering if I can substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream?
Hi Deann! Yes, it will alter the taste but that would be the next thing to use if you don’t use sour cream.
My family and I love this salad ❤ it’s now a family favorite ❤
That is the best when the family loves what we moms make. That’s so great!
If I make this Brocolli salad the day before using will the apples not turn brown?
Hi Alexandra! It refrigerates really well overnight even after stirring in the dressing. The lemon juice helps slow down the browning.
Going to make this today. What type of apple do you recommend?
Hi! Any crisp, sweet apple will work.
Going to make this today. What type of apple do you recommend? Love your recipes and have made several. You’re a treasure!
Thank you so much! Any crisp, sweet apple will work.
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.
Hi Rob! I’m so glad you loved it. Thank you for sharing and I hope you will find many more recipes to enjoy.
Can you please tell me how long this will keep in the fridge after preparing. Thank you.
It refrigerates well overnight even after stirring in the dressing. But I would eat it within the first 1-2 days.
Love the broccoli salad and your blog in total. Many thanks for sharing!
🙂 Randi
Thank you for your love and support, we appreciate it!
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.
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.
I fixed this for a Christmas party. No changes! Hugh hit, so delicious! Thank you!!
You’re very welcome! Great to hear that this was a huge hit!
I fixed this for a Christmas party last night. No changes! Hugh hit, so delicious! Thank you!!
You’re welcome, glad to hear!
Yum on all your recipes. Thank you for your Cook Book: I will order three …. Please make them Healthy . God Bless !! 🙏🏻🎉💐🥇
Thank you, Mabel! Fall 2023 is the expected release so stay tuned for when we have more information to announce. 🙂
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.
I’m so glad to hear that, Mitchell! Thank you.