Pear Apple Broccoli Salad

Delicious sweet, fruity and tangy broccoli salad is perfect as a summer barbecue side salad. This broccoli salad is packed with apples, pears, candied pecans, blue cheese crumbles, and dressed with homemade apple vinaigrette.
4.75 from 4 votes
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bowl full of broccoli salad mixed with pecans, pears, apples, blue cheese and more.

My new favorite summer salad to make is a pear-apple chicken salad and I have it at least once a week. There is something special about the combination of sweet, fresh fruit in a savory salad mixed with some blue cheese and an apple vinaigrette. That is the salad which inspired this broccoli salad.

The flavors go wonderfully with fresh, crispy broccoli and the best part is it lasts much longer than a lettuce based salad and portable. It’s easy to take a broccoli salad to picnics and summer barbecue parties. That’s why I often make my cucumber broccoli salad, apple walnut broccoli salad, or this sweet and tangy one. It’s always a hit at every summer party.

Ingredient Substitutions and Tips

Broccoli – you can use 2 bunches of broccoli, or about 20 oz of broccoli florets but do not use frozen broccoli.

Nuts – this salad is amazing with candied pecans but you can substitute regular pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts. Make sure to chop or crush them.

Blue cheese crumbles – if you need to substitute, try it with gorgonzola for a similar sharp flavor. For milder flavor, you can use feta cheese.

Shallot – shallot is actually in a garlic family but acts as an onion. You can substitute Vidalia onion but don’t use a whole one since they are quite big.

a white bowl full of broccoli salad with apples, nuts, and blue cheese.

How To Make Pear Apple Broccoli Salad

The best news is that there is NO cooking involved and all you have to do is chop some fruit and veggies.

  1. Chop broccoli, apple, pear, shallot, and nuts.
  2. Combine everything in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add the apple vinaigrette and gently fold to mix.
  4. I recommend refrigerating for a couple of hours before serving.
scooping gout some broccoli salad from the bowl filled with pear apple broccoli salad.

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scooping gout some broccoli salad from the bowl filled with pear apple broccoli salad.

Pear Apple Broccoli Salad Recipe

Delicious sweet, fruity and tangy broccoli salad is perfect as a summer barbecue side salad. This broccoli salad is packed with apples, pears, candied pecans, blue cheese crumbles, and dressed with homemade apple vinaigrette.
4.75 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Resting time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 (Makes about 6 cups)
Calories: 362kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 2 broccoli bunches about 20 oz. florets
  • 1 large sweet apple
  • 1 pear
  • 1 cup candied pecans plain pecan can be substituted
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
  • 1 shallot
  • 3/4 cup apple vinaigrette
  • Dash of salt

Instructions

  • Cut off broccoli florets and chop them into smaller pieces. Add broccoli to a mixing bowl.
  • Slice shallot thinly and add it to the broccoli.
  • Peel, core, and dice apple and pear. Add it to the broccoli as well. 
  • Chop pecan and add it to the bowl with other veggies and fruit.
  • Add blue cheese crumbles to the bowl. Mix everything gently and add a little salt. 
  • Add apple vinaigrette and fold gently until all evenly combined. 
  • I highly recommend to refrigerate the broccoli salad for a couple of hours before serving. Cover the bowl air-tight and refrigerate for a 2-4 hours before serving.

Notes

Make ahead – it’s perfect to make ahead a few hours but don’t make it ahead more than 1 day or the fruit and veggies will get too soft.
Storing – you can store leftovers in an air-tight food storage container. Make sure to store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 311mg | Potassium: 774mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1365IU | Vitamin C: 183.8mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 1.9mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles or tag #willcookforsmiles!

More Summer Side Dishes To Try

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Italian Tortellini Salad

Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Salad

Parmesan Dill Potato Salad

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All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

4.75 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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5 Comments

  1. Julia Gill says:

    I needed a recipe to use raw broccoli in Will try

  2. Julia Gill says:

    4 stars
    This salad look and sound health. I needed a recipe I could raw broccoli in. Will try.

  3. 5 stars
    I really need to eat healthier so i should try this

  4. Health n Wellness Mantra says:

    Wow, what an amazingly tasty salad recipe. Such salads must be included in our daily diet. I am a health blogger and I just loved it.

    1. I’m so happy you like it! Thank you 🙂

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