Candied Walnut Salad
Elevate your salad game with this irresistible Candied Walnut Salad, a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors! Featuring crunchy homemade candied walnuts, crisp mixed salad greens, and bursts of sweetness from dried cranberries, this vibrant dish is finished with creamy crumbled feta and a luscious balsamic honey vinaigrette. Thinly sliced red onion adds a subtle zing, while the homemade candied walnuts steal the show with their caramelized crunch. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy salad recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, holiday feasts, or anytime you’re craving a fresh, flavorful dish. Serve it as a stunning side or add protein for a complete meal—either way, it's bound to impress.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 0.25 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the candied walnuts: Heat a medium-sized nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the walnuts and sugar to the skillet.
Stir constantly until the sugar starts to melt and coats the walnuts evenly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
Once coated, spread the walnuts onto a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to cool completely. Separate them if they stick together.
Assemble the salad base: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, sliced red onion, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese.
Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat the ingredients evenly.
Top the salad with the cooled candied walnuts just before serving to maintain their crunch.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2208 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 148.7 g | 191% | |
| Saturated Fat | 24.0 g | 120% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 56.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 53 mg | 18% | |
| Sodium | 2410 mg | 105% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 206.3 g | 75% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.6 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 176.7 g | ||
| Protein | 33.4 g | 67% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 450 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 6.4 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 1321 mg | 28% | |
*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.
