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Apple Walnut Salad

Apple Walnut Salad
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Savor the flavors of this apple walnut salad! Crisp apples mix with crunchy toasted walnuts and a sweet-tart dressing. It’s an easy side dish or add protein for a satisfying lunch!

Ingredients

Scale

For the apple walnut salad

  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1 crisp tart apple (like Pink Lady)
  • 8 cups mixed greens or tender lettuces (like butter or Bibb lettuce, frisee, etc)
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 handful sliced red onion* (or shallot)
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles (optional; not shown)

For the dressing

  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider or white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh ground black pepper (optional)
  • To make it a main: Blackened Chicken, Sauteed Shrimp, Baked Salmon, or Baked Tofu

Instructions

  1. Place the nuts in a dry skillet (no oil) over medium heat. Heat, shaking the pan and stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the nuts are fragrant and slightly darker brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove immediately from the heat and transfer to a plate to stop the cooking.
  2. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk the maple syrup, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk in the olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time until a creamy dressing forms. (If desired, make in advance and refrigerate up to 2 weeks; bring to room temperature prior to serving).
  3. Thinly slice the apple.
  4. Place the greens on a large platter or individual plates. Top with apple slices, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and red onion slices. If desired, add a sprinkle of feta cheese. Top with about 6 tablespoons of the dressing (or more as desired) and serve immediately. (To make ahead, keep all components separate with fresh ingredients and dressing refrigerated. Toss the apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Bring dressing to room temperature and add all ingredients together directly before serving.)

Notes

*To remove some of the strong flavor of the red onion, you can soak it in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes before assembling the salad.