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Fresh Harvest Apple Walnut Salad

fresh harvest apple walnut salad - featured image

A crisp and flavorful autumn salad combining fresh apples, toasted walnuts, mixed greens, and a tangy homemade dressing. Perfect for fall gatherings or a light, satisfying side.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup walnuts, toasted
  • 5 cups mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast the walnuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Prepare the apples: Core and thinly slice the apples, leaving skins on. Toss with a small squeeze of lemon juice if prepping ahead to prevent browning.
  3. Slice the red onion: Thinly slice and soak in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow sharpness (optional). Drain before using.
  4. Make the dressing: Whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper until emulsified and slightly thickened.
  5. Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, toasted walnuts, sliced apples, dried cranberries, red onion, crumbled feta, and chopped parsley. Drizzle dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly.
  6. Serve immediately to keep apples crisp and greens vibrant.

Notes

Toast walnuts carefully to avoid burning. Whisk dressing vigorously to emulsify. Toss apples with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to prevent browning if prepping ahead. Start with half the dressing and add more if needed to avoid sogginess. For vegan option, replace honey with maple syrup and omit or substitute cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple walnut salad, autumn salad, fall salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, fresh salad, gluten-free salad, vegan option salad