Today I’m sharing this delicious spin on Broccoli Apple Salad – a version that sports a creamy, luxurious dressing, but without mayo. It’s so good.
So about this salad.
First off: Broccoli and apples may seem like a weird combination (I know I wasn’t sure about it initially), but this salad is all over Pinterest and this salad received great reviews – and they both really do look delicious – so I thought I’d give a version a whirl.
I’m glad I did! This Broccoli Apple Salad with Creamy Tahini-Lemon Dressing is sort of like a mash-up of Broccoli Raisin Salad and classic Waldorf salad, but without the mayo.
I left the mayo out because I wanted to a healthier version, and I thought a creamy, almost nutty vinaigrette would really make the ingredients shine. Olive oil is, of course, a must in vinaigrette dressing, and I included some lemon juice to add zing (and to help keep the apples from turning brown when the salad is made ahead of time). Tahini whisked in makes this dressing super creamy and full of flavor – so good.
The crunch of the broccoli and apples along with the chewy sweetness of the raisins are set off perfectly by the dressing. I think I’ve found my new favorite potluck salad.
Broccoli Apple Salad with Creamy Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
For the Creamy Tahini-Lemon Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Broccoli Apple Salad:
- 1 medium head broccoli (about 1 pound, cut into bite-size pieces (about 4 cups))
- 3 medium apples (I recommend gala, pink cripps, or fuji cored and cut into bite-size pieces)
- 1/2 small red onion (diced (about 1/3 cup))
- 1/3 cup golden raisins (dried cranberries also work)
- 1/4 cup candied sliced almonds (plain sliced almonds, unsalted pepitas, or unsalted sunflower seeds)
Instructions
- First, make the dressing. Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad. Add the broccoli, apples, onion, and raisins to a large bowl and stir gently to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the top and stir gently until everything’s coated with the dressing. At this point you can refrigerate the salad for several hours before serving.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the nuts or seeds over the top.
Hi! I’m Karen – I’m a real person with real recipes. No A.I. here! Since 2009, every recipe on Kitchen Treaty is thoroughly tested and loved before I hit “publish.” I’m a home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m a vegetarian married to a carnivore, and my goal is to coexist deliciously.
