This Apple Walnut Salad is everything but boring. It includes crunchy walnuts and croutons, crispy apple slices, crumbled feta cheese, and sweet dried cranberries, all over a bed of greens. Then, tossed with a Dijon-maple dressing that pairs beautifully.
Love having apples in your salads? Then you should try these ones: Copycat Wendy’s Apple Chicken Salad, Apple Cranberry Coleslaw and Waldorf Salad Recipe.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Love a fruit and nut combination.
- Apples are great any time, but especially in the late summer and fall.
- Great as a vegetarian main or a side dish with BBQ, meat, casseroles and more.
- Great lunch option too!
- So easy to make!
HELPFUL ITEMS FOR THIS RECIPE
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2 in 1 Salad Dressing Shaker Container with Juicer, Pour Spout
Serving Bowls, 114 OZ(10″) Extra Large Salad Bowls Set of 2, Porcelain White
12″ Extra Large Bamboo Salad Servers – Wooden Salad Serving Spoons
Apple Walnut Salad Ingredients
Yes! Apple Walnut Salad is a healthy, nutrient-rich salad that offers a great balance of fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and fiber. It’s an excellent choice for lunch, a light dinner, or a wholesome side dish.
Recipe Ingredients
Mixed greens – Use your favorite mix of greens here; add some kale or spinach for an even crunchier bite.
Honeycrisp apples – These apples are sweet and juicy; Gala apples would also be a good choice.
Dried cranberries – These add a subtle sweetness to the salad.
Feta cheese – It helps balance the sweetness of the apples.
Walnut halves – Adding some nuts to your salads makes them extra fulfilling and satisfying.
Croutons – They add a satisfying crunch to every bite. Use store-bought or make your own with day-old bread.
Salad Dressing Ingredients
Apple cider vinegar – The base of the dressing, with a mild tang that complements the sweetness of the apples and cranberries.
Maple syrup – Just a touch to balance the acidity in the dressing without making it overly sweet.
Dijon mustard – It adds a subtle sharpness. Don’t skip it!
Olive oil – It gives the dressing a smooth, rich body.
Salt and freshly ground pepper – They enhance every other flavor in the dressing.
How to make Apple Walnut Salad
First, make the apple walnut salad dressing. In a small bowl or jar, combine the vinegar, mustard and maple syrup and whisk to combine. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a large bowl, add the mixed greens, apple slices, and walnuts. Toss gently with 2/3 of the vinaigrette. Add the crumbled Feta and croutons, and toss gently again until just combined.
Arrange on a platter or serve in bowls with additional dressing as desired.
Recipe Pro Tips
What to serve with Apple Walnut Salad
This simple apple walnut salad works as a light lunch or as a side dish for many recipes. Apple pairs beautifully with roasted meats like pork, chicken or turkey. To turn this salad into a full meal, simply add some sliced chicken breast on top.
What are some good substitutes for apples in salads?
Pears would be the closest option. It won’t feel as crunchy, but it will still keep the juicy and sweet flavor. Then, sliced grapes add juiciness and a pop of color without changing the overall feel of the salad too much.
LOVE A GREAT SALAD AND WANT MORE?
We love our salads here and have them many, many times a week. Here are a few of our favorites.
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Apple Walnut Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups mixed greens
- 2 Honeycrisp apples cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup Feta cheese crumbled
- 1 1/2 cups walnut halves
- 1 1/2 cups croutons buttery
Salad Dressing
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, mustard and maple syrup and whisk to combine. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large bowl, add the mixed greens, apple slices, and walnuts.Toss gently with 2/3 of the vinaigrette.
- Add the crumbled Feta and croutons, and toss gently again until just combined.
- Arrange on a platter or serve in bowls with additional dressing as desired.
Let us know what you think!
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