Description
This fresh and vibrant Apple Walnut Salad is a delightful mix of crisp apples, crunchy candied walnuts, creamy goat cheese, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a zesty apple cider vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch or a festive side dish.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup walnut halves
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 5 ounces mixed greens (about 5 packed cups)
- 2 medium crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the candied walnuts: Place a piece of parchment paper on a plate. In a medium nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir constantly until the sugar has melted and the nuts are toasted and coated, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer immediately to the parchment paper and spread into a single layer. Let cool.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Whisk or shake until well combined.
- Assemble the salad: In a large serving bowl, place the mixed greens. Top with apple slices, cranberries, red onion, goat cheese, and the cooled candied walnuts.
- Drizzle with dressing just before serving and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use any crisp apple variety like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala for best texture and flavor.
- You can make the candied walnuts ahead of time and store them in an airtight container.
- Goat cheese can be substituted with feta or blue cheese, if desired.
- The salad dressing can be doubled and stored in the refrigerator for future use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 267
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 188mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 13mg
