Why You’ll Love Apple Walnut Salad Recipe

You’ll love the contrast of textures — crisp apple slices, crunchy toasted walnuts, soft crumbled feta, and crisp lettuce.
The honey mustard vinaigrette adds a simple but elegant flavor lift that ties everything together without being heavy.
It works beautifully as a side dish for a dinner or lunch, or you can make it more substantial by adding protein.
It’s naturally gluten‑free, and with a few tweaks you can make it vegan as well.
Quick to prepare: minimal cook time (just for toasting walnuts) and very little prep required.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Salad:

Raw walnuts
Red onion (thinly sliced)
Red leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce (washed and dried)
Apple (cored and thinly sliced; Gala or Granny Smith recommended)
Crumbled feta cheese

Dressing (Honey Mustard Vinaigrette):

Dijon mustard
Extra‑virgin olive oil
White wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice)
Honey
Garlic clove (minced or pressed)
Fine sea salt
Freshly cracked black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
Thinly slice the red onion into half‑moon slices and submerge in cold water for about 20 minutes to mellow the flavor.
Roughly chop the walnuts, spread them on a baking sheet, and toast in the oven for 6‑8 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Remove and set aside.
Wash and dry the lettuce and place it in a large bowl.
Core and thinly slice the apple, then add it to the bowl with the drained onions and toasted walnuts.
In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, olive oil, vinegar, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
Crumble the feta over the salad, drizzle with the vinaigrette, and toss gently just before serving.
Serve immediately.

Servings and timing

Servings: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Total time: 23 minutes

Variations

Add grilled chicken, seared salmon, or chopped hard‑boiled eggs for a protein boost.
Swap walnuts with pecans, candied pecans, or slivered almonds for variety.
Try goat cheese or Parmesan in place of feta.
Make it vegan by omitting feta and using maple syrup instead of honey.
Experiment with different dressings like balsamic or lemon‑herb vinaigrette.

Storage/Reheating

Best served fresh to preserve crispness.
To store: keep salad components separate and undressed.
Store toasted nuts in an airtight container, and refrigerate the dressing separately.
Avoid slicing apples in advance unless tossing with lemon juice to prevent browning.
No reheating needed or recommended.

FAQs

1. Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

Yes, prep all components ahead (lettuce, walnuts, onion, dressing), but keep them separate and assemble just before serving for freshness.

2. What type of apple works best?

Gala and Granny Smith apples are ideal for their crisp texture and sweet‑tart flavor balance.

3. Can I use a different lettuce?

Absolutely. Baby spinach, arugula, or mixed greens work well as substitutes.

4. How can I make the salad gluten‑free?

This recipe is naturally gluten‑free with no substitutions necessary.

5. Can I make this salad vegan?

Yes. Use a plant‑based cheese alternative and swap honey for maple syrup.

6. What nuts can I use if I don’t have walnuts?

Pecans, almonds, or candied nuts are all great alternatives.

7. How much dressing should I use?

Start with a light drizzle, toss, and add more to taste. Avoid overdressing to keep lettuce crisp.

8. Will the apple slices brown if I slice them early?

Yes. To prevent browning, toss apple slices in lemon juice or slice just before serving.

9. Can I swap the vinaigrette for something else?

Yes, a balsamic or lemon vinaigrette also pairs well with this salad.

10. Can I serve this as a main dish rather than a side?

Definitely. Add your favorite protein to make it a satisfying main course.

Conclusion

This Apple Walnut Salad brings together the best of crisp textures and vibrant flavors in a quick, easy, and wholesome dish. Whether served as a side or turned into a main course, it’s a reliable crowd-pleaser that can be customized to suit your taste or dietary needs. Enjoy the freshness in every bite!