This Strawberry Apple Avocado Broccoli Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing is a refreshing, nutrient-dense, and sweet-savory dish perfect for summer BBQ’s, potlucks, or healthy meal prep. Featuring crunchy raw broccoli, sweet fruit, and creamy avocado, and paired with a homemade creamy poppyseed dressing. Try some of these other best loved salads like Summer Slaw, Shredded Brussels Apple Pecan Salad, or this Broccoli Crunch Salad.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The combination of crisp, raw broccoli and apples with creamy avocado creates such a satisfying, mouth-watering experience! It’s a family and friends fave where ever we bring it and always the first bowl emptied at any gathering!

Ingredients You Will Need

Broccoli: is an edible green plant from the cabbage family that has a large flowering head and thick stalk. It is enjoyed both cooked and raw.

Red onion: adds a crunchy texture and bold flavor, elevating salads with its zesty kick.

Pink Lady apple: is my favorite apple! I love the sweet-tart crisp bite it has that adds a refreshing burst of flavor to this salad. It is also my apple of choice as it is slow to oxidize (turn brown) making it the perfect choice for this make ahead salad.

Strawberries: are sweet fruits rich in vitamin C and are commonly eaten fresh as a dessert, in pie filling or preserved.

Avocado: is a nutrient dense, pear shaped, fruit with a creamy, pale green, non-sweet flesh that is rich in healthy fats and vitamins.

Dried cranberries: are the perfect additions to salads to add a delicious burst of sweet, tart and tang all at once.

Sunflower seeds: are a small seed with a tender texture and a mild nutty flavor. They come from the flower heads of the sunflower plant.

Avocado oil mayonnaise: offers a unique creamy texture and a healthier fat profile.

Coconut cream yogurt: is a dairy-free yogurt made from fermented coconut cream.

Lemon juice: adds a fresh, bright, and tangy element, which can help balance the richness of the other ingredients.

Apple cider vinegar: is a type of vinegar made from fermented apple juice that adds acidity and fruity undertones.

Medjool dates: provides a natural sweetness, and imparts a rich, caramel-like flavor.

Salt and black pepper: salt enhances and balances flavors. Meanwhile, ground black pepper adds a gentle heat.

Poppy seeds: are the small, kidney-shaped seeds harvested from the seed pods of the poppy plant.

Instructions

Chop: the broccoli and strawberries and dice the onion, apples, and avocado. If making ahead do not dice the avocado until just before serving.

In a large bowl: combine all salad ingredients except the avocado.

Blend the dressing ingredients: except the poppyseeds, in a blender till creamy.

Mix the poppyseeds: into the dressing with a spoon.

Using a rubber spatula: mix the dressing into the salad.

Add the avocado: just before serving.

Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

Raisins: are a perfect alternative in place of the cranberries. Note that raisins will not provide that extra tang that you get from dried cranberries.

Greek yogurt: is a good substitute for the coconut yogurt if you are not concerned with keeping this recipe dairy-free.

Almond slices: are a great alternative for the sunflower seeds.

Storage Tips

You can store this strawberry broccoli avocado salad in the refrigerator for 4 days when placed in an airtight glass container.

FAQ’s About Strawberry Broccoli Avocado Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing

Is broccoli a superfood?

Yes! Broccoli is packed with nutrients that are good for you.

How far in advance can I make broccoli salad?

Stored the right way, it will keep for up to 4 days. I recommended you keep the avocado separate until ready to serve.

What dressing goes on broccoli salad?

Creamy poppyseed or a coleslaw dressing are both delicious options.

Penny Kovacs