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    home » Recipes » Salad

    Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad

    Published: Feb 23, 2022 •Modified: Feb 23, 2022 by mikecleavenger • This post may contain affiliate links, which can earn us a commission •

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    apple cranberry walnut salad in a large bowl
    tossing salad with balsamic vinaigrette
    tossing apple cranberry salad with dressing
    apple cranberry walnut salad ingredients
    salad with balsamic dressing

    This apple cranberry walnut salad is my to-go salad year-round! The sweet apples compliment the tart cranberries so well. Toss in my delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette. YUM!!

    apple cranberry walnut salad in a large bowl with a wooden spoon this recipe

    Everybody needs a go-to salad to have in their bag of tricks, and this one is mine. The next time your friends ask you to bring a salad to the party, make my apple cranberry walnut salad!

    A good friend owns a catering company in San Diego, CA. Toast Catering, check them out if you are in the area. This is one of their most popular types of salads, and I have adopted it into my life as well.

    Mixed greens are mixed with apples, endive, cranberries, blue cheese, candied walnuts, and tossed with balsamic dressing. If you love salad recipes, check out my harvest chicken salad, and pickled red onions.

    Jump to:
    • Why apple cranberry walnut salad is so good
    • Ingredients
    • How to make apple cranberry walnut salad
    • Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • The best way to keep your salad greens fresh
    • Pro Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Salad Recipes...
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Comments

    Why apple cranberry walnut salad is so good

    • Belgan Endive. This green has a slight bitter flavor to is a classic combination with apples. Endive adds a nice texture and crunch to this salad.
    • Balsamic Vinaigrette. My yummy homeade dressing is better than any store-bought brand and ties everything togeather.
    • Makes the perfect side salad. If you are taking a mixed green salad to a party or enjoying at home, it doesn't get any better than this simple green salad.

    Ingredients

    apple cranberry walnut salad ingredients
    • mixed greens - layer with damp paper towels to extend the life of your salad greens
    • candied walnuts - make my paleo candied walnuts , they are delicious
    • blue cheese
    • dried cranberries - buy sugar-free for Whole30 and Paleo followers
    • endive - have a slightly bitter flavor that goes amazingly well with apples
    • apple - Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Pink Laddies are the best options
    • balsamic dressing - make my homemade balsamic dressing,it's better than store-bought options.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to make apple cranberry walnut salad

    Making this salad is so easy, here's how to make it:

    Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine mixed greens, apples, endive, blue cheese, candied walnuts, and dried cranberries.

    apple cranberry salad in a large salad bowl

    Step 2: Toss this salad with balsamic vinaigrette. I like to use about ¼ cup of dressing. Enjoy!

    pouring balsamic dressing on an apple cranberry salad

    Substitutions

    Greens - Arugula, spinach, and romaine are great, especially if you mix them all.

    Pears - Swap out apples for pears. Asian, Bosc, and D'Anjou pears are all great choices.

    Dried Cherries - I have made this recipe with dried cherries before and it's just as delicious.

    Whole30 - Remove the blue cheese and make sure to use no sugar added dried cranberries.

    Dressing - You might want to try my white balsamic dressing for a different variation.

    Equipment

    • salad bowl
    • chef knife
    • cutting board
    apple cranberry walnut salad on a plate with a fork

    The best way to keep your salad greens fresh

    Do you ever buy salad greens from the store to find out they go bad before you make the salad? I am here to show you some tips to keep those greens crisp and fresh.

    • Open the plastic salad container that your mixed greens came in.
    • Transfer the greens to a bowl and rinse and dry the plastic container.
    • Layer mixed greens with a damp paper towel. Do this three or four times. The damp paper towels wtih keep salad greens fresh for 7 days.

    Pro Tips

    • Store mixed greens layered with damp paper towels to keep this looking fresh.
    • For a lightly tossed salad, add 2 tablespoons of dressing. I use about ¼ cup of dressing on my salads.
    • Season salad with a pinch of salt and some cracked black pepper. This tip will make your salad taste so much better.
    • Slice endive and apples right before tossing with dressing. They will oxidize and turn brown very quickly. If you want to prep the veggies ahead of time, you can submerge them in acidulated water.
    • Bring this salad to any party or buffet. When your family or friends say, "can you bring a nice green salad." MAKE THIS RECIPE!
    apple cranberry salad recipe with candied walnuts

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you jazz up a green salad?

    Here are a few ways to give life to any salad: Different dressing, nuts and seeds, cheese, herbs, edible flowers, and season with salt and pepper.

    What dressing goes with cranberry apple salad?

    Here are a few dressings to try: Poppyseed dressing, apple-cider vinaigrette, and balsamic dressing.

    What types of greens are in mixed greens?

    They are sold in plastic clamshell containers consisting of different greens. Baby romaine, swiss chard, spinach, mizuna, arugula, and radicchio are commonly used.

    What apples are the best for salads?

    For salads, you want an apple that is crisp and crunchy. Jazz, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Ladies are all great choices.

    More Salad Recipes...

    • healthy balsamic vinaigrette in a glass jar
      Creamy Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • candied walnuts in glass jar
      How to make candied walnuts (Paleo)
    • pickled red onions featured image
      Hibiscus Pickled Red Onions (Sweet and Tangy)
    • chicken salad featured image
      Citrus Harvest Chicken Salad

    Did you make this recipe? Please click the stars below to comment and rate this recipe. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, too!

     

    📖 Recipe

    apple cranberry walnut salad featured image

    Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad

    mikecleavenger
    This Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad is my go-to salad!  Sweet apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy candied walnuts create the most delicious salad ever!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Salads
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 salads
    Calories 210 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 ounces of spring mix
    • 1 large Fuji apple sliced
    • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
    • ½ cup candied walnuts
    • 1 head Belgian endive sliced
    • 2 ounces blue cheese crumbles
    • ¼ cup balsamic dressing

    Instructions
     

    • In a large mixing bowl, combine spring mix, sliced apple, cranberries, candied walnuts, sliced endive, and blue cheese crumbles.
    • Pour ¼ cup of balsamic dressing over greens.  Toss using kitchen tongs to coat.  
    • Serve in salad bowls and top with candied walnuts and blue cheese crumbles. 

    Notes

    MAKE IT WHOLE30: Remove cheese from the recipe and look for sugar-free dried cranberries.
    STORAGE SUGGESTIONS: Keep dressing separate from salad greens.  Mixed greens are delicate and will wilt very quickly.  If I am saving this salad for lunch the next day I will package this salad in an airtight container and place the dressing on the side. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 359mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 108IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword balsamic dressing, egg free, fall, favorites, gluten free, recipes, salads, side dishes, soy free, winter
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on instagram. Tag @thefrizzledleek and hashtag it #thefrizzledleek.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. mikecleavenger

      February 25, 2022 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      This salad is so easy and delicious to make! The flavor combinations of apples, endive, blue cheese, and cranberries are amazing. The next time you bring a salad to a party you must try this recipe.

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    I'm a chef, husband, and father of two beautiful girls. The Frizzled Leek is a blog about getting families back in the kitchen. Here you won't just follow recipes, you will be developing your cooking skills too!

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    My Latest Recipes

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    Side Dish Recipes

    • Green Beans with toasted almonds in a pan.
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