Wash and dry your broccoli thoroughly. Cut it into small, even florets — smaller pieces make every bite more balanced.

Dice your Honeycrisp apples into bite-sized chunks. If you prefer thin slices, that works too — just toss them in a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep them from browning.

Finely dice your red onion. If raw onion is too sharp for you, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes first. Game changer.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayo, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Add the broccoli, apples, cranberries, sunflower seeds, red onion, and cheddar to the bowl.

Toss everything together until evenly coated in the dressing.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Give it one more toss before plating and adjust seasoning if needed.