Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette
Bright, crisp, and bursting with seasonal flavor, this Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette is the ultimate combination of sweet and savory. Featuring tender mixed greens, crunchy toasted walnuts, juicy apple slices, and tart dried cranberries, this salad delivers a delightful medley of textures and tastes. A tangy cranberry vinaigrette made from fresh cranberries, honey, and Dijon mustard ties it all together, complementing the creamy goat cheese and subtly sharp red onions. Perfect as a light lunch or a stunning side dish for holiday gatherings, this 20-minute recipe is as easy to prepare as it is impressive to serve. Rich in antioxidants and full of fresh ingredients, it’s the perfect way to celebrate autumn flavors in every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups Mixed salad greens (e.g., spinach, arugula, or romaine)
- 2 large Apple (e.g., Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), sliced thinly
- 1 cup Walnuts, toasted
- 0.5 cup Dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup Goat cheese, crumbled
- 0.25 cup Red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 0.25 cup Fresh cranberries or cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Toast the walnuts: Heat a small pan over medium heat. Add the walnuts and toast them for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and slightly browned. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Prepare the cranberry vinaigrette: In a blender or food processor, combine the olive oil, fresh cranberries or cranberry sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set aside.
Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens. Top with the sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, crumbled goat cheese, and thinly sliced red onion.
Drizzle the prepared cranberry vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Gently toss the salad to evenly distribute the dressing.
Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, tangy flavors of this Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
580 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.3 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.4 g | 42% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 16 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 434 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 46.5 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.6 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.3 g | ||
| Protein | 11.9 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 107 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 468 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
