Description
A refreshing and colorful Strawberry Broccoli Salad that combines crunchy broccoli florets with sweet strawberries, tangy apples, and savory Colby Jack cheese, all tossed in a creamy, lightly sweetened poppy seed dressing. Perfect as a healthy side dish or light lunch, this salad is easy to prepare and bursting with fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 8 oz Colby Jack cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes
- 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, washed, pat-dried, and quartered
- ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust more if needed)
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, white vinegar, lemon juice, and poppy seeds. Whisk the ingredients together until smooth and well blended. Set the dressing aside to allow the flavors to develop.
- Mix main ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the fresh broccoli florets, chopped Granny Smith apples, and Colby Jack cheese cubes. Toss gently to mix all the components evenly.
- Add dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the broccoli, apples, and cheese mixture. Toss gently to coat the salad thoroughly with the dressing, ensuring every piece is covered.
- Add strawberries and almonds: Carefully fold in the quartered strawberries to avoid crushing them. Sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds on top for a crunchy finish.
- Serve or chill: You can serve the salad immediately for a fresh, crisp texture, or for a more melded flavor, cover and chill it in the refrigerator for about one hour before serving.
Notes
- Adjust sugar in the dressing according to your preferred sweetness level.
- To toast slivered almonds, heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add almonds, and stir frequently until golden brown and fragrant—about 3-5 minutes.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavor melding but serves well freshly tossed.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Ensure strawberries are dry before adding to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
