Description
Heirloom Apple Salad is a fresh and vibrant autumn dish featuring a harmonious blend of crisp heirloom apples, baby greens, toasted nuts, creamy cheese, and dried cranberries, all dressed in a simple apple cider vinaigrette. This quick and easy salad celebrates the flavors and textures of fall, delivering a nutritious, delicious, and versatile option for light lunches or side dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed heirloom apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties), thinly sliced
- 4 cups baby greens (spinach, arugula, or mixed greens)
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans
- 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or mint, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Apples: Wash heirloom apples thoroughly, core, and slice them into thin, even pieces to ensure every bite has crisp, juicy goodness.
- Toast the Nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts or pecans for about 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned to intensify their flavor and add crunch.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a balanced vinaigrette.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, gently toss the baby greens, apple slices, toasted nuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat all ingredients without bruising.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Finish by sprinkling chopped fresh parsley or mint over the salad for an aromatic burst and vibrant color inviting you to enjoy.
Notes
- Use the freshest greens and apples to ensure the best texture and flavor.
- Toast nuts ahead of time and store them in an airtight container to save preparation time.
- Add dressing gradually to avoid overpowering the delicate flavor balance.
- Toss the salad gently to prevent bruising apples or breaking greens.
- Adjust honey or vinegar proportions in the dressing to your preferred sweetness or tanginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cooking/Assembly
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Heirloom apple salad, fall salad, autumn recipe, fresh salad, gluten free salad, quick salad
