Savor the flavors of this apple walnut salad! Crisp apples combine with crunchy toasted walnuts and a sweet-tart dressing. It’s a simple aspect dish or add protein for a satisfying lunch!
Want a scrumptious salad recipe that goes with absolutely anything? (We’re at all times sport for concepts.) Do this apple walnut salad! The combo of crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, chewy cranberries and a sweet-tart dressing makes a symphony of textures and flavors. It’s excellent as a aspect dish, however add protein and it additionally works as a major meal! You’ll be able to swap out the dressing and mix-ins to make dozens of variations on the theme, making it endlessly versatile for any time and event.
Substances in apple walnut salad
An apple walnut salad works in some ways: there are lots of sorts of dressings and methods to decorate the apples. And don’t neglect in regards to the traditional Waldorf salad of apples, walnuts and grapes with a creamy mayo-based dressing! This apple walnuts salad is all about minimal elements with most affect. It’s fancy sufficient for entertaining, but easy sufficient to pair with a simple weeknight meal. Right here’s what you’ll want for this tasty inexperienced salad:
Greatest sorts of apples for a salad
Be sure that to make use of a crisp tart apple selection on this apple walnut salad. In fact, you need to use any apple you’ve gotten readily available! Nevertheless it’s good to make use of an apple that has a hearty crunch once you chunk into it, and a touch of tart to make the flavour pop. Listed here are our prime apple varieties for a salad:
- Pink Girl: That is our favourite sort of apple: the flavour is extremely candy tart and it has a stunning, vivid purple coloration.
- Granny Smith: Granny Smith is nice for salads, although we suggest utilizing it with one other purple apple for coloration distinction.
- Honeycrisp: This selection is a bit sweeter and juicier than Pink Girl, however nonetheless an amazing choice.
Dressing variations
This apple walnut salad is scrumptious with the maple French dressing listed within the recipe beneath. Nevertheless, it really works very effectively with different dressing concepts as effectively! Listed here are some prime salad dressings that work with the flavors of this salad:
Apple walnut salad topping concepts
Need to combine up the toppings for this apple walnut salad? The sky is the restrict! Preserve the greens, apples, and walnuts regular and add extra cheese, nuts or different combine ins for a flexible aspect. Listed here are a few of our prime concepts:
- Feta crumbles or goat cheese crumbles add a pop of salt and a visible attraction.
- Dried cherries, pomegranate seeds, or raisins can stand in for the cranberries.
- Parmesan, gorgonzola, gouda, or Manchego additionally work for the cheese.
- Strive including a handful of almonds, pecans, pistachios, or hazelnuts alongside the walnuts.
- Utilizing pepitas is one other enjoyable strategy to combine up the crunchy parts.
Add protein to make it a major dish
Lastly, it’s easy to show apple walnut salad right into a major dish. Merely prime with protein! The flavors on this salad work effectively with hen, shrimp, salmon, and even tofu as a vegan salad choice. Listed here are some recipes for cooking the protein:
Extra salad recipes
Love consuming salads? We’re salad obsessed round right here! Listed here are a few of our prime favourite salads:
This apple walnut salad recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Description
Savor the flavors of this apple walnut salad! Crisp apples combine with crunchy toasted walnuts and a sweet-tart dressing. It’s a simple aspect dish or add protein for a satisfying lunch!
For the apple walnut salad
- ½ cup walnuts
- 1 crisp tart apple (like Pink Girl)
- 8 cups combined greens or tender lettuces (like butter or Bibb lettuce, frisee, and so forth)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 handful sliced purple onion* (or shallot)
- ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles (elective; not proven)
For the dressing
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider or white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- Recent floor black pepper (elective)
- To make it a major: Blackened Hen, Sauteed Shrimp, Baked Salmon, or Baked Tofu
- Place the nuts in a dry skillet (no oil) over medium warmth. Warmth, shaking the pan and stirring usually with a picket spoon, till the nuts are aromatic and barely darker brown, about 4 to five minutes. Take away instantly from the warmth and switch to a plate to cease the cooking.
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk the maple syrup, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk within the olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time till a creamy dressing types. (If desired, make prematurely and refrigerate as much as 2 weeks; carry to room temperature previous to serving).
- Thinly slice the apple.
- Place the greens on a big platter or particular person plates. Prime with apple slices, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and purple onion slices. If desired, add a sprinkle of feta cheese. Prime with about 6 tablespoons of the dressing (or extra as desired) and serve instantly. (To make forward, maintain all parts separate with recent elements and dressing refrigerated. Toss the apples with lemon juice to forestall browning. Convey dressing to room temperature and add all elements collectively straight earlier than serving.)
Notes
*To take away among the sturdy taste of the purple onion, you possibly can soak it in chilly water for five to 10 minutes earlier than assembling the salad.
- Class: Salad
- Methodology: No Prepare dinner
- Delicacies: Salad
- Eating regimen: Vegetarian
Key phrases: Apple walnut salad,
