Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad with Honey Vinaigrette Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad combining crisp mixed greens, sweet apple slices, crunchy toasted walnuts, tangy dried cranberries, and creamy goat cheese, all tossed in a homemade honey vinaigrette dressing. This simple yet flavorful salad is perfect as a light meal or a side dish with a delightful balance of sweet, tart, and savory flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (toasting walnuts optional)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2–3 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or romaine)
- 1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
- ½ cup walnut halves (lightly toasted, optional)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
- Optional: sliced red onion or pear for variety
For the Honey Vinaigrette:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Wash and dry the mixed greens thoroughly to remove any dirt or moisture. Thinly slice the apple using a sharp knife or mandoline for even, crisp slices. If desired, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for 3–5 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned to enhance their flavor.
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small jar or bowl, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar (or balsamic vinegar), honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and well emulsified.
- Assemble the salad: Place the mixed greens into a large salad bowl or serving platter. Arrange the apple slices over the greens, sprinkle with toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled goat cheese evenly across the top. Add sliced red onion or pear if using.
- Dress & toss: Just before serving, drizzle the honey vinaigrette over the salad. Gently toss all the ingredients together to evenly coat the greens and toppings with the dressing without bruising the delicate leaves.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy the salad fresh to experience the harmonious balance of sweet apple, nutty walnuts, tart cranberries, and creamy cheese with the bright honey vinaigrette.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or roasted turkey for a protein boost and heartier meal.
- Swap walnuts with pecans or almonds to vary the nutty flavor.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top.
- Try substituting dried cranberries with pomegranate seeds for a festive holiday twist.
- The honey vinaigrette can be stored refrigerated for up to 1 week; shake well before using.
- Bring chilled vinaigrette to room temperature and shake if it thickens.
- Double the vinaigrette recipe to have extra on hand for quick salad dressings throughout the week.
Keywords: apple walnut cranberry salad, honey vinaigrette, mixed greens salad, fall salad recipe, vegetarian salad, healthy salad, easy salad dressing
