Apple and Walnut Salad (Print-Friendly)

Refreshing winter salad with crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and tangy vinaigrette — perfect light appetizer or side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Produce

01 - 2 large crisp apples, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, cored and thinly sliced
02 - 1 small celery stalk, thinly sliced
03 - 1.8 ounces mixed salad greens, such as arugula and baby spinach

→ Nuts

04 - 2.8 ounces walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Cheese

05 - 2.1 ounces crumbled blue cheese or feta, omit for dairy-free option

→ Dressing

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

# How To Make It:

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.
02 - In a large salad bowl, arrange sliced apples, celery, mixed salad greens, and chopped walnuts.
03 - Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently using salad servers to coat all ingredients evenly without bruising the greens.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese or feta over the top as desired.
05 - Serve right away while apples remain crisp and walnuts retain their crunch.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes flat with zero actual cooking required
  • The combination of sweet apples and sharp cheese hits every craving at once
02 -
  • Dressed apples start oxidizing within an hour, so toss everything immediately before serving rather than prepping ahead
  • Toast your walnuts in a dry pan for three minutes first, the depth of flavor this adds is absolutely worth the extra pan
03 -
  • Use a mandoline if you have one for paper-thin apple slices that almost melt in your mouth
  • Let the dressed salad sit for two minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld slightly
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