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Fresh Broccoli Apple Quinoa Salad served in a white bowl with diced apples, dried cranberries, and shredded carrots on a rustic wooden table.
Layla

Broccoli Apple Quinoa Salad

Crisp broccoli and sweet-tart apples meet nutty quinoa in a bright, make-ahead salad that's as nourishing as it is craveable.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Quinoa
  • 1 cup quinoa rinsed well
  • 2 cups water
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
For the Salad
  • 1 lb broccoli cut into small florets, about 6 cups
  • 1 large Honeycrisp or Fuji apple diced, no need to peel
  • 0.5 cup dried cranberries
  • 0.33 cup toasted sunflower seeds
  • 4 oz feta cheese crumbled
For the Dressing
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 small clove garlic finely grated or minced
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan with Lid
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small jar or bowl for dressing

Method
 

Cook the Quinoa
  1. Combine quinoa, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender with visible little tails. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and spread on a plate to cool completely - about 15 minutes.
Prep the Vegetables and Fruit
  1. While quinoa cooks, cut broccoli into small bite-sized florets - you want pieces no larger than a nickel so they distribute evenly. Core and dice the apple into 1/2-inch pieces. If you're not assembling immediately, toss the apple with a splash of the dressing to prevent browning.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a small jar or bowl, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk vigorously until emulsified and slightly thickened - about 30 seconds.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, broccoli florets, diced apple, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Drizzle with about three-quarters of the dressing and toss thoroughly to coat. Taste and add more dressing if needed - the broccoli should be lightly glossy, not swimming.
  2. Gently fold in the crumbled feta. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to let flavors meld. If making further ahead, store the dressing separately and toss just before serving.

Notes

For the best texture, chop broccoli florets quite small - they should be tender-crisp and easy to eat in one bite. Substitute sharp cheddar or goat cheese for feta, or use toasted pumpkin seeds if sunflower seeds aren't on hand. This salad actually improves after an hour in the fridge as the dressing softens the raw broccoli slightly.