Apple Walnut Salad with Balsamic Dressing
This Apple Walnut Salad combines crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and creamy blue cheese over mixed greens, all tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a fresh, flavor-packed side or light meal—perfect for beginner home cooks!
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens spinach, arugula, romaine
- 2 medium apples sliced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- ½ cup walnuts chopped
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well blended.
- Wash and dry the mixed greens thoroughly. Add to a large salad bowl.
- Slice the apples thinly and toss with lemon juice if making ahead to prevent browning.
- Toast walnuts in a dry skillet for 3–5 minutes over medium heat until fragrant (optional).
- Add apple slices, toasted walnuts, crumbled blue cheese, and cranberries to the greens.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Gently toss until all ingredients are coated.
- Serve immediately, as a side dish or topped with grilled chicken for a full meal.
Notes
To keep your Apple Walnut Salad crisp, add the dressing just before serving. For a flavor twist, substitute the honey with maple syrup and use goat cheese instead of blue cheese.