Apple and Walnut Salad (Printable View)

A refreshing winter salad with crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and tangy vinaigrette ready in 15 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Produce

01 - 2 large crisp apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced
02 - 1 small celery stalk, thinly sliced
03 - 1.75 oz mixed salad greens (arugula, baby spinach, or spring mix)

→ Nuts

04 - 2.75 oz walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Cheese (optional)

05 - 2 oz crumbled blue cheese or feta (omit for dairy-free version)

→ Dressing

06 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 tsp honey or pure maple syrup
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified and smooth. Set aside at room temperature.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine the sliced apples, celery strips, mixed salad greens, and chopped walnuts. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
03 - Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad mixture. Using salad tongs or large spoons, toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients with dressing. Top with crumbled cheese if desired.
04 - Transfer to individual serving plates or serve family-style in the bowl. For optimal texture and crispness, serve promptly after dressing to prevent apples from oxidizing and greens from wilting.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in literally fifteen minutes, making it perfect for those nights when you want something elegant but have zero energy for cooking
  • The contrast between juicy apples, crunchy walnuts, and creamy cheese creates this incredible texture that keeps every bite interesting
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that if you dress this salad too far ahead, the apples start to soften and lose that beautiful crunch, so toss it literally right before serving
  • Toasting your walnuts for 3-4 minutes in a dry skillet transforms them completely, bringing out this nutty depth that makes the whole salad feel more sophisticated
03 -
  • Soak your apple slices in a bowl of cold water with a splash of lemon juice for 5 minutes if you're prepping ahead, it keeps them from browning without affecting the flavor
  • Use a vegetable peeler to shave thin ribbons of celery instead of slicing it, they look beautiful and have a more delicate crunch
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