Refreshing Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples and Pears Recipe

Crisp autumn days call for a vibrant broccoli cashew salad that blends sweet and nutty flavors with unexpected textures.

Crunchy seasonal apples and ripe pears dance alongside fresh broccoli florets in this delightful dish.

Toasted cashews add a rich, golden crunch that elevates every bite of this colorful creation.

The combination of ingredients brings a symphony of tastes that feels both comforting and exciting.

Dressed with a light, zesty vinaigrette, this salad offers a perfect balance of freshness and depth.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey through seasonal ingredients.

Prepare to fall in love with a salad that turns simple produce into a culinary masterpiece.

Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples and Pears: Sweet, Crunchy, and Nutty

• Packed with broccoli, apples, and pears, this salad delivers a massive nutrient punch that supports overall health and wellness in every delicious bite.
• Super simple to prepare with minimal cooking, this recipe comes together faster than ordering takeout and impresses guests with its colorful, fresh appearance.
• Flexible ingredients allow easy swaps like different nuts, yogurt alternatives, or added protein, making it perfect for personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Perfect as a side dish, light lunch, or potluck contribution, this salad transitions seamlessly between casual family dinners and elegant gatherings.

Shopping List for Colorful Broccoli Cashew Salad

• Broccoli: Fresh, crisp vegetable that provides a nutritious and crunchy base for the salad.
• Apple: Sweet and tangy fruit that adds a refreshing crunch to the salad.
• Pear: Soft and juicy fruit that complements the other ingredients with its delicate flavor.
• Cashews: Toasted nuts that bring a rich, buttery texture and nutty taste to the dish.

• Red Onion: Adds a sharp, pungent flavor that balances the sweetness of the fruits.
• Dried Cranberries: Provides a sweet and tart burst of flavor to enhance the salad.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream (or Kefir or Greek Yogurt): Creamy base that creates a smooth and tangy dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps balance the richness of the dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that rounds out the flavor profile of the dressing.
• Salt: Enhances and brings together all the flavors in the salad.

Tools to Make Your Salad Prep Simple

• Large Salad Bowl: Spacious container for mixing and tossing ingredients.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the creamy dressing.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping broccoli, dicing apple, pear, and onion.
• Cutting Board: Stable surface for preparing ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps measure honey, lemon juice, and salt accurately.
• Measuring Cups: Useful for measuring mayonnaise and sour cream.

Mixing Up the Ultimate Broccoli Cashew Salad

Step 1: Chop Fresh Ingredients

Rinse the broccoli under cool water and break into small, delicate florets.

Slice the apple and pear into uniform cubes, removing the cores.

Mince the red onion into tiny pieces.

Toss these ingredients into a spacious mixing bowl.

Sprinkle in the crunchy cashews and vibrant dried cranberries.

Step 2: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Kefir
• Greek yogurt
• Fresh lemon juice
• Honey
• Salt

Blend until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth consistency.

Taste and adjust the sweetness or tanginess by adding extra honey or lemon juice.

Step 3: Combine And Coat

Drizzle the creamy dressing over the salad ingredients.

Use gentle folding motions to ensure every morsel gets a luxurious coating of the dressing.

Step 4: Chill And Enhance Flavors

Cover the salad and slide it into the refrigerator.

Let it rest for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle.

Before serving, give the salad a quick toss to redistribute the dressing and wake up those delicious flavors.

Salad Tips for Maximum Crunch and Freshness

• Use vegan mayonnaise and coconut yogurt to make this salad completely plant-based and dairy-free.
• Chop broccoli and fruits a day in advance and store separately in airtight containers to save time during meal preparation.
• Toast cashews in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to intensify their nutty flavor and create an extra crispy texture.
• Adjust dressing sweetness by experimenting with maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey for different flavor profiles.
• Keep dressing separate until serving to prevent ingredients from becoming soggy, maintaining optimal texture and crispness.

Fun Variations for This Sweet and Savory Salad

• Vegan Broccoli Crunch: Replace mayonnaise and sour cream with cashew cream, use maple syrup instead of honey, and add hemp seeds for extra protein.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap apple and pear with low-carb jicama, use monk sweetener instead of honey, and increase nuts for healthy fats.
• Mediterranean Herb Salad: Add chopped fresh herbs like mint and parsley, replace cranberries with kalamata olives, and use olive oil-based dressing with za'atar seasoning.
• Spicy Asian Remix: Incorporate sriracha into dressing, replace cashews with roasted sesame seeds, add mandarin orange segments, and include chopped cilantro for a zesty kick.

Ways to Plate Broccoli Cashew Salad for a Crowd

• Festive Party Platter: Arrange the broccoli cashew salad on a large platter with fresh herb garnishes like parsley or chives. Create colorful sections to make the dish visually appealing and inviting.
• Protein Power Boost: Top the salad with grilled chicken strips or seared salmon to transform it into a complete meal. These protein additions complement the crunchy texture and creamy dressing perfectly.
• Picnic Perfect Portion: Pack the salad in individual mason jars for easy transportation and a cute presentation. Layer the ingredients carefully to keep the components fresh and crisp during outdoor meals.
• Brunch Brilliance: Serve alongside quiche or frittata for a delightful weekend brunch spread. The salad's tangy and sweet profile pairs wonderfully with egg-based dishes and light pastries.

Best Storage Tips for Salad with Fruit and Nuts

• Store the broccoli cashew salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the salad chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• If possible, store the dressing separately from the salad ingredients to prevent sogginess. Mix the dressing just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp and crunchy.
• Avoid freezing this salad as the fresh fruits, vegetables, and creamy dressing will lose texture and become watery when thawed. Cashews might also become soft and lose their crunch.
• Before serving leftovers, drain any excess liquid and give the salad a quick stir. Add fresh cashews or a sprinkle of herbs to refresh the texture and boost the flavor profile.

FAQs

• Why should I toast the cashews before adding them to the salad?

Toasting cashews enhances their natural nutty flavor and creates a crunchier texture, making the salad more interesting and providing a deeper, richer taste profile.

• Can I substitute the mayonnaise in the dressing?

Yes, you can use Greek yogurt, sour cream, or kefir as alternative creamy bases for the dressing. Each will provide a slightly different tangy flavor while maintaining the creamy consistency.

• How do I prevent the apple and pear from browning?

After cutting the apple and pear, toss them immediately with a little lemon juice from the dressing. The citric acid helps prevent oxidation and keeps the fruit looking fresh and white.

Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples and Pears Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Fresh broccoli cashew salad with apples and pears combines crisp vegetables and sweet fruits in a delightful harmony. Crunchy cashews and a tangy dressing elevate this wholesome dish you’ll want to enjoy again and again.

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Ingredients

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Salad Ingredients:

• 5 cups broccoli florets, chopped into small bites
• 1 cup cashews, toasted or roasted
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Fruits and Vegetables:

• 1 apple, cored and diced
• 1 pear (firm, not soft), cored and diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream, kefir, or Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup honey, softened or warmed up
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse broccoli florets and slice into petite, uniform chunks. Transfer to a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Carefully remove the cores from apple and pear, dicing them into consistent, bite-sized morsels. Incorporate into the broccoli base.
3. Mince red onion into delicate slivers to prevent overwhelming the salad’s delicate flavor profile. Scatter throughout the mixture.
4. Introduce toasted cashews and dried cranberries, creating textural intrigue and complementary flavor elements.
5. In a separate compact container, whisk together mayonnaise, tangy dairy component, fresh citrus extract, golden nectar, and mineral seasoning until achieving a silky, homogeneous consistency.
6. Calibrate the dressing’s flavor balance by incrementally adjusting sweetness or acidity as desired.
7. Cascade the prepared dressing over the vegetable medley, employing a gentle folding technique to ensure comprehensive and even coating.
8. Refrigerate the assembled salad for approximately 30 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify.
9. Prior to serving, execute a brief re-toss to reinvigorate the dressing’s distribution and optimize taste complexity.

Notes

• Enhance Broccoli Texture by blanching florets briefly in boiling water, then immediately cooling in ice water to maintain a crisp, bright green color and soften raw edges without losing nutritional value.
• Swap Ingredients for dietary needs: use vegan mayonnaise and coconut yogurt for dairy-free version, or replace cashews with sunflower seeds for nut-free alternative.
• Control Dressing Consistency by adding liquid gradually, ensuring it coats ingredients without becoming too runny or overwhelming the delicate flavors of fruits and vegetables.
• Extend Salad Freshness by storing dressing separately and adding just before serving to prevent ingredients from becoming soggy and maintain optimal crunch and texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg