1. Can I use a different type of cheese in this salad?

Yes! If feta cheese isn’t to your liking, you can substitute it with mozzarella, goat cheese, or even sharp cheddar. These cheeses will still provide that creamy, tangy contrast to the sweetness of the apples and cranberries.

2. How can I prevent the apples from turning brown in the salad?

To prevent the apples from browning, toss them with a little lemon juice before adding them to the salad. This will help preserve their fresh appearance and keep your salad looking vibrant.

3. Can I prepare the Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad ahead of time?

While you can prep most of the ingredients ahead of time, it's best to assemble the salad and add the dressing just before serving. If you’re making it ahead, store the salad and dressing separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. Toss the dressing with the salad right before you’re ready to enjoy it.

4. Can I make this salad gluten-free?

Absolutely! This Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure that the dressing ingredients you use (if pre-made) do not contain any gluten. If using any packaged ingredients, always check the labels for any hidden gluten.

Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad – Easy and Fresh (Recipe)

Name: Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 cups salad greens (arugula and baby spinach or any spring green mix); 1 red apple; 1 green apple; 1 cup walnuts (roughly chopped); 4-6 bacon strips (optional, cooked and chopped); ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese; ⅓ cup dried cranberries; 1 cup apple juice; 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons honey; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ cup olive oil

Description

This Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad combines crisp apples, sweet dried cranberries, and hearty walnuts, with a tangy homemade apple vinaigrette. It’s an easy-to-make, healthy, and vibrant salad perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Scale

6 cups salad greens (arugula and baby spinach or any spring green mix)
1 red apple
1 green apple
1 cup walnuts (roughly chopped)
4-6 bacon strips (optional, cooked and chopped)
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
⅓ cup dried cranberries
1 cup apple juice
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup olive oil

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Instructions

Core and chop the apples into slices or 1-inch chunks.
Toss the salad greens, apples, walnuts, feta, bacon (if using), and cranberries together in a large bowl.
Whisk together all the dressing ingredients (apple juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, black pepper, olive oil) in a bowl or combine in a jar and shake vigorously.
Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine.
Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh flavors!

Notes

To prevent apples from browning, you can toss them with a little lemon juice.
If you prefer a different flavor profile, try using balsamic vinegar or store-bought balsamic vinaigrette for the dressing.
The salad and dressing can be stored separately for up to 3 days, but once the salad is dressed, it should be consumed within a day for optimal freshness.
For a nut-free version, you can replace the walnuts with sunflower seeds or skip them entirely.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Tossing, Whisking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 460 kcal
Sugar: 22 g
Sodium: 283 mg
Fat: 36 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 9 g
Cholesterol: 4 mg