Description
A fresh and vibrant Apple Walnut Salad featuring mixed greens, crisp Granny Smith apples, toasted walnuts, creamy feta, and a tangy apple cider vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch or a festive side dish, this salad combines sweet, tart, and savory flavors 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 chopped walnuts, toasted
- 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 the dressing: In a bowl, combine the maple syrup (or honey/apple jelly), apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic clove, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Whisk thoroughly until well incorporated and set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, sliced Granny Smith apple, chopped dates, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, finely diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently until everything is evenly coated to your preference.
- Season to taste: Add salt and ground black pepper according to your taste and give the salad a final toss before serving.
Notes
- To lower the carb content, omit dates and use sugar-free jelly in the dressing.
- Toast the walnuts lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Use fresh garlic for a pungent dressing; alternatively, substitute with a pinch of garlic powder for a milder taste.
- For added texture and flavor, consider adding sliced cucumber or celery.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day if dressed 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
