Description
A crisp and refreshing Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad featuring crunchy apples, toasted walnuts, creamy blue cheese, and mixed greens, tossed with a simple vinaigrette. This salad is perfect as a side or a light main dish, ideal for fall and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens (spring mix, arugula, or spinach)
- 2 apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- ½ cup toasted walnuts
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (optional)
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toast the Walnuts: In a small skillet, toast walnuts over medium heat for about 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is emulsified and well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the mixed greens, thinly sliced apples, crumbled blue cheese, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries (if using), and thinly sliced red onion. Gently toss to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Dress and Toss: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients without bruising the greens or apples.
- Serve Immediately: Plate the salad right away to maintain the crisp freshness of the apples and greens, ensuring the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Swap walnuts for pecans for a sweeter crunch and different texture.
- Use pears instead of apples for a delightful variation in flavor and sweetness.
- For advance preparation, toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning and keep them crisp.
- Serve immediately after assembling to maintain the crispness and freshness of the ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
