Description
A fresh and flavorful Apple Walnut Salad featuring crisp mixed greens, tart Granny Smith apples, creamy feta cheese, toasted walnuts, and a zesty apple cider vinaigrette dressing. This salad combines sweet, savory, and crunchy elements, making it perfect for a quick lunch or holiday side dish ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups mixed greens, roughly chopped (can also use baby spinach or romaine)
- 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced
- ¼ cup pitted dates, chopped (omit for a lower carb option)
- ¼ cup unsweetened dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- 2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Dressing
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or apple jelly (use a sugar free jelly for lower carb option)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Combine maple syrup (or honey/apple jelly), apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Whisk thoroughly until well incorporated and set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced apples, chopped dates, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until the ingredients are evenly coated to your liking.
- Season to taste: Add salt and ground black pepper as desired and give the salad a final gentle toss before serving.
Notes
- For a lower carbohydrate version, omit the dates and use sugar-free apple jelly in the dressing.
- Toast the walnuts lightly in a dry skillet to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- This salad can be prepared ahead of time by keeping the dressing separate and tossing just before serving to maintain freshness.
- Substitute feta with goat cheese or omit cheese for a vegan option.
- Add grilled chicken or tofu for extra protein to make it a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 235 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 182 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 13 mg
