Elevate your salad game with this Butter Lettuce Salad with Candied Walnuts—a perfect balance of crisp, tender greens and sweet, crunchy indulgence. Fresh butter lettuce serves as the canvas for this elegant dish, enhanced by golden candied walnuts caramelized to perfection in just minutes. A homemade apple cider vinaigrette ties it all together with its tangy-sweet notes, while optional crumbled goat cheese and red onion slices add layers of creaminess and zing. Perfect as a light meal or stunning side dish, this salad is quick to prepare, taking just 20 minutes from start to finish. Whether hosting a dinner party or simply craving a gourmet touch, this recipe will delight your palate with its contrast of textures and dynamic flavors.
Wash and dry the butter lettuce, then tear it into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
In a medium skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the walnuts and sugar, stirring continuously until the sugar has melted and coats the walnuts evenly. This should take 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and spread the candied walnuts onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely.
To prepare the vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
In a large salad bowl, arrange the butter lettuce. If using optional toppings, scatter the crumbled goat cheese and sliced red onions on top.
Add the cooled candied walnuts to the bowl. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss to combine.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Calories |
1721 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 117.2 g | 150% | |
| Saturated Fat | 31.5 g | 158% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 56.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 99 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 1874 mg | 81% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 143.6 g | 52% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.0 g | 43% | |
| Total Sugars | 125.9 g | ||
| Protein | 43.4 g | 87% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 409 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 7.2 mg | 40% | |
| Potassium | 1065 mg | 23% | |
*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.