Description
Apple Walnut Salad is a fresh and vibrant salad combining crisp mixed greens, tart Granny Smith apples, chewy dates and cranberries, crunchy toasted walnuts, and creamy feta cheese. Tossed in a zesty apple cider vinaigrette with a hint of garlic and cayenne, this salad is perfect for a light lunch or a 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 & ground black pepper, to taste
Dressing
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or apple jelly (use a sugar free jelly for a 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: In a bowl, combine the maple syrup (or chosen sweetener), apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until the dressing is well emulsified. Set it aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped mixed greens, sliced Granny Smith apple, chopped dates, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss these ingredients gently to mix evenly.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly with the dressing according to your taste preference.
- Season and serve: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Give the salad a final gentle toss and serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- For a lower carb version, omit the chopped dates and use a sugar-free jelly instead of maple syrup in the dressing.
- Toast the walnuts lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- You can substitute feta cheese with goat cheese or omit for a dairy-free option.
- Use fresh garlic for the dressing, but if you prefer a milder taste, roast the garlic beforehand.
- Feel free to swap mixed greens for baby spinach or romaine as per your preference.
- This salad is best served fresh; however, you can prepare the dressing and salad ingredients separately ahead of time and combine just before serving.
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
