Description
A fresh and flavorful Apple Walnut Salad featuring mixed greens, crisp Granny Smith apples, creamy feta cheese, toasted walnuts, and a zesty apple cider vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch or a festive side dish, this salad combines sweet, tart, and savory elements with a delightful crunch.
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 walnuts, toasted and chopped
- 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 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 Dressing: In a bowl, combine maple syrup (or honey/apple jelly), apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic clove, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated to form a smooth, flavorful dressing. Set aside.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the roughly chopped mixed greens, sliced Granny Smith apple, chopped dates, dried cranberries, toasted chopped walnuts, finely diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all components evenly with the vinaigrette, adjusting to your desired amount of dressing coverage.
- Season: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss lightly again and serve immediately for the freshest flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a lower carbohydrate version, omit the dates and use sugar-free apple jelly in the dressing.
- Toast the walnuts briefly in a dry skillet over medium heat for enhanced flavor and crunch.
- Feel free to substitute mixed greens with baby spinach or romaine lettuce based on preference or availability.
- The salad is best served fresh to maintain crispness of the apples and greens.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper depending on your heat preference or omit if sensitive to spice.
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
