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–+ servings
fresh apple walnut salad in a white serving bowl.
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5 from 1 vote

Apple Walnut Salad

This Apple Walnut Salad is a fresh, vibrant dish that's as nutritious as it is flavorful. It's a delightful blend of crisp apples, earthy walnuts, tangy blue cheese, and sweet dried cranberries, all nestled on a bed of mixed greens like spinach, arugula, and romaine. The homemade dressing is a simple mix of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. This dressing adds just the right amount of zing and sweetness, perfectly complementing the salad's ingredients.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 338kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

  • 6 cups mixed greens like spinach, arugula and romaine
  • 2 medium apples sliced, such as honeycrisp or granny smith
  • ½ cup walnuts chopped
  • ½ cup blue cheese crumbled
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • salt and pepper to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and pepper until well combined.
  • In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced apples, chopped walnuts, crumbled cheese, and dried cranberries. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
  • Serve the salad immediately as a refreshing side dish, or top it with grilled chicken or roasted veggies for a complete meal.

Notes

  1. Apple Selection: Choose crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for a nice crunch and balanced sweetness.
  2. Cheese Alternative: If blue cheese isn't to your liking, try feta or goat cheese for a milder flavor.
  3. Walnut Toasting: For added flavor, lightly toast the walnuts in a dry pan before adding them to the salad.
  4. Dressing Variation: Feel free to substitute honey with maple syrup in the dressing for a different sweet note.
  5. Storage Tip: If not serving immediately, add the dressing just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
  6. Protein Addition: Top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a complete, protein-packed meal.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 863IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 1mg