Healthy Broccoli-Apple Salad With Greek Yogurt

This Healthy Broccoli-Apple Salad With Greek Yogurt is an easy side dish that even kids will like!

Vegetables and flavor? You know I’m not choosing—I’m doing both.

Normally, I run fast in the other direction when I see raw broccoli. I’m a roasted-golden-and-slightly-burnt kinda girl. Air-fryer broccoli tossed in too much oil? Yes. Crunchy, raw broccoli straight from the fridge? That’s a no. But then I made this broccoli apple salad on a random Tuesday because I had a sad apple in the fridge and a head of broccoli that had about two days left in its life. I wasn’t expecting much. But then I tasted it and immediately texted my sister, who’s also a broccoli hater, and told her she had to make it right now.

This salad checks all the boxes. It’s crunchy, sweet, salty, and the dressing is creamy (but not heavy). That combo of tangy mustard and sweet honey hits just right. You’ve got the sharp bite of red onion, toasted sunflower seeds for crunch, and yes, bacon—because we make good decisions here. Honestly, this is one of those salads that doesn’t feel like a salad. I ate it out of the mixing bowl standing at the counter and didn’t regret a thing.

Is This Broccoli-Apple Salad With Greek Yogurt Healthy?

If you’re looking for a fiber plus vitamin C bomb, well, meet your new go-to recipe. The fresh broccoli and apples are absolutely chock-full of the good stuff. Then you’ve got some sunflower seeds in the mix, which add some healthy fats and protein to your plate.

For the dressing, I use nonfat Greek yogurt instead of mayo, so you get that creamy-dreamy quality with the benefit of added protein, vitamin D, and calcium. The honey adds a touch of sweetness without going overboard. This recipe is also gluten-free and could be made vegetarian if you leave out the bacon (that would also lower your sodium and fat intake). So yes, this dish is relatively healthy—but it’s not afraid to have some fun, either.

Broccoli And Apples: An Unlikely Pairing

You might have done a double-take at the pairing of sweet, refreshing apples with the subtle bitterness of raw broccoli. I’ll admit, at first, it sounds kind of weird. But it’s not weird. I promise.

The broccoli offers a crunchy, hearty bite; it doesn’t have a ton of notable flavor on its own. Then, the apple hits you with its bright, juicy sweetness. It’s the perfect complement. Now, mix in the salty bacon, tangy onions, and nutty sunflower seeds, and you’re hitting just about every important flavor note there is to hit—not to mention textures. I really didn’t expect to love this salad as much as I did, but I already want to make it again.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many delicious main dishes that can benefit from a little broccoli salad magic. My favorites are this Quinoa Crusted Chicken With Goat Cheese, some Bacon-Wrapped Sweet-And Sticky Stuffed Chicken, these Almond-Crusted Chicken Bites With Honey Mustard Dip, and this Superfood Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich With Honey Mustard.

Recipe