Our Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad is like a fall day in a bowl – sweet apples, tart cranberries, toasted walnuts, and smooth feta cheese; all brought together with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette.

romaine salad with apples, walnuts, cranberry, and feta cheese in a white bowl. this recipe
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Reasons to Love This Salad

  • Simple Autumn Ingredients: Our scrumptious cranberry walnut salad is a whirlwind of simple ingredients similar to our apple walnut salad – all brought together with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette that is super easy to make.
  • Versatile Lighter Choice: This easy salad can accompany any dish, such as half roasted chicken or, with some protein thrown in, stand as a hearty meal on its own. Thanksgiving dinner a bit heavy? This salad is a great lighter choice.
  • Easy to Customize: If you’re looking to add your own personality – this salad is wonderfully customizable. We’ve even included a list of swap-out ingredients below.

Ingredients

Let’s delve into how each of our Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad ingredients brings something special:

ingredients for apple cranberry walnut salad recipe.

Salad

  • Romaine lettuce: Our salad’s canvas – fresh and crisp, with a slightly bitter undertone.
  • Honeycrisp apple: Adds a beautiful crunch and a sweet, tangy pop.
  • Toasted walnuts: Bring an earthy, nutty flavor and some crunch – working well with our sweet apples.
  • Dried cranberries: These little gems offer a burst of tartness, breaking up the sweetness of the apples and the creaminess of the feta.
  • Feta cheese: The creamy, tangy flavor of feta adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the other ingredients – tieing the salad together nicely.

Dressing

  • Olive oil: The foundation of our salad dressing, providing a smooth, fruity base for the other ingredients. 
  • Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tangy kick, balancing out the richness of the olive oil.
  • Maple syrup: A sweet counterpoint to the vinegar’s tartness, adding a pleasant note of earthy sweetness to our dressing.
  • Dijon mustard: The secret flavor booster – providing a spicy depth while also helping to emulsify the dressing so it’s nice and smooth.

Variations

Here’s how you can make this Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad recipe uniquely yours:

  • Go Tropical: Swap out the apples and cranberries for mango and pineapple for a tropical twist.
  • Pear it Up: Replace the apple with a ripe pear for a different but equally delicious fruit profile. For even more flavor roast the pears like in our roasted pear salad.
  • Nutty Twist: Swap out the walnuts with toasted pecans or almonds for a different crunch.
  • Cheese, Please: Not a fan of feta? Try goat cheese or even blue cheese for a different flavor.
  • Veggie Venture: Add some thinly sliced red onions or bell peppers for an extra vegetable punch.

How to Make

Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting your very own cranberry walnut apple salad:

dijon and olive oil salad vinaigrette in a bowl.

Step 1: Whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper.

romaine lettuce in a bowl with salad vinaigrette being poured.

Step 2: Put the lettuce in a large bowl and gently toss it with some of the dressing.

romaine lettuce in a bowl topped with apples, feta, dried cranberries, and walnuts.

Step 3: Add in the apples, walnuts, cranberries, and feta cheese.

apple walnut cranberry salad being tossed with a pair with tongs.

Step 4: Give everything a good toss. Drizzle in more dressing if desired. Taste for salt and pepper before serving.

Protein Add-Ins

Looking to up the protein in your meal? Here are some add-ins to transform this apple cranberry walnut salad into a protein-rich feast:

  • Grilled chicken tenders: Slice thin and add for a lean, meaty protein boost.
  • Boiled eggs: Slice them up and scatter across the top for a protein hit with a creamy texture.
  • Tofu: Pan-fry until golden, then toss in for a protein-packed, vegetarian-friendly addition.
  • Canned chickpeas: Rinse and drain first, then add to provide a hearty, nutty flavor.
  • Quinoa: Cooked and cooled, it’s a great way to add some plant-based protein and a lovely texture.

Expert Tips

For the best apple romaine salad, follow these expert tips:

  • Keep it Crisp: Always wash and thoroughly dry your romaine lettuce. Wet lettuce will dilute your dressing and make the salad soggy.
  • Apple of Your Eye: Choose a firm, crisp apple. We recommend Honeycrisp – a softer variety may not hold up well in the salad and become mushy.
  • Nuts About Nuts: Try roasting your walnuts for an extra flavor kick. This will add a delightful crunch and deepen their flavor.
  • Dress for Success: Don’t overdress your salad. Start with a little dressing, toss, then add more as needed.
  • Taste Test: As you go along, keep tasting the salad. Need a bit more seasoning? Add more salt and pepper.
apple salad with romaine in a bowl with dressing.

Recipe FAQs

What dressing goes with cranberry walnut salad?

For this recipe, we’ve opted for an apple cider vinaigrette. It’s a real flavor hero, with the maple syrup adding an earthy sweetness and the Dijon mustard giving it a nice depth of flavor.

But hey, if you’re in the mood for something different, why not try a balsamic vinaigrette? The balsamic vinegar brings its own sweet and sour vibes that work really well with our tart cranberries and sweet apples.

How can I properly toast walnuts for this recipe?

To bring out the best in your walnuts, toasting is the way to go. Not only is it easy, but it also unveils deeper flavor and adds extra crunch.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer, then bake for about 5-10 minutes until golden and aromatic. Let them cool before adding them to your salad.

How do I properly wash and prepare romaine lettuce for a salad?

Prepping romaine lettuce for a salad starts with a good wash. Begin by peeling off any wilted outer leaves. Then, separate the leaves and rinse them under cold running water to get rid of any dirt.

Remember to pat the leaves dry using a clean kitchen towel to keep your salad from becoming watery. You can also use a salad spinner.

How long does this salad stay fresh in the refrigerator?

Your apple cranberry walnut salad will keep well for about 2 days in the refrigerator; just make sure to keep it in an airtight container.

To preserve the salad’s crispness, keep the dressing separate and mix it in right before serving.

You May Also Like

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Fall Green Salad with Honey Apple Cider Dressing

Chopped Spinach Apple Salad

Kale Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

If you try Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad, please leave a star rating and let me know how you like the recipe in the comments below.

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Apple Crunch Salad - simple yet flavorful must try fall salad! Goes with everything | littlebroken.com @littlebroken

Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 min
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Chop
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

Easy and flavorful fall salad with apples, walnuts, and dried cranberries. It’s a must try recipe that comes together in minutes with the most delicious maple cider vinaigrette!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 Honeycrisp apple, cored + cut into matchsticks
  • 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese, plus more to taste

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Dressing

  1. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Salad

  1. In a large bowl, toss lettuce with some of the dressing. Add apples, walnuts, cranberries, and feta. Drizzle more dressing, if desired, and toss to coat. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Leftovers: Store the leftover salad in an airtight container for 1-2 days. It will soften the longer it sits.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 7.3 g
  • Sodium: 101.3 mg
  • Fat: 15.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11.3 g
  • Protein: 3.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 7.4 mg