Need a delicious salad recipe that goes with just about anything? (We’re always game for ideas.) Try this apple walnut salad! The mix of crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, chewy cranberries and a sweet-tart dressing makes a symphony of textures and flavors. It’s perfect as a side dish, but add protein and it also works as a main meal! You can swap out the dressing and mix-ins to make dozens of variations on the theme, making it endlessly versatile for any time and occasion.
Ingredients in apple walnut salad
An apple walnut salad works in many ways: there are many types of dressings and ways to accessorize the apples. And don’t forget about the classic Waldorf salad of apples, walnuts and grapes with a creamy mayo-based dressing! This apple walnuts salad is all about minimal ingredients with maximum impact. It’s fancy enough for entertaining, yet simple enough to pair with an easy weeknight meal. Here’s what you’ll need for this tasty green salad:
Crisp tart apple Walnuts Mixed greens like butter or Bibb lettuce, frisee, etc Dried cranberries Sliced red onion (or shallot) Maple Vinaigrette dressing
Best types of apples for a salad
Make sure to use a crisp tart apple variety in this apple walnut salad. Of course, you can use any apple you have on hand! But it’s nice to use an apple that has a hearty crunch when you bite into it, and a hint of tart to make the flavor pop. Here are our top apple varieties for a salad:
Pink Lady: This is our favorite type of apple: the flavor is intensely sweet tart and it has a lovely, bright red color. Granny Smith: Granny Smith is great for salads, though we recommend using it with another red apple for color contrast. Honeycrisp: This variety is a bit sweeter and juicier than Pink Lady, but still a great option.
Dressing variations
This apple walnut salad is delicious with the maple vinaigrette listed in the recipe below. However, it works very well with other dressing ideas as well! Here are some top salad dressings that work with the flavors of this salad:
This maple vinaigrette and honey vinaigrette both pair well with the flavors in the salad. Our top alternative is this poppy seed dressing, which has a sweet, elegant flavor and a personality that takes this salad over the top. Another idea is Balsamic vinaigrette, a classic creamy and zingy dressing. This apple cider vinegar dressing or Dijon mustard dressing compliment the fruit well. Sweet tart honey mustard vinaigrette is another fantastic fit.
Apple walnut salad topping ideas
Want to mix up the toppings for this apple walnut salad? The sky is the limit! Keep the greens, apples, and walnuts steady and add additional cheese, nuts or other mix ins for a versatile side. Here are some of our top ideas:
Feta crumbles or goat cheese crumbles add a pop of salt and a visual appeal. Dried cherries, pomegranate seeds, or raisins can stand in for the cranberries. Parmesan, gorgonzola, gouda, or Manchego also work for the cheese. Try adding a handful of almonds, pecans, pistachios, or hazelnuts alongside the walnuts. Using pepitas is another fun way to mix up the crunchy elements.
Add protein to make it a main dish
Lastly, it’s simple to turn apple walnut salad into a main dish. Simply top with protein! The flavors in this salad work well with chicken, shrimp, salmon, and even tofu as a vegan salad option. Here are some recipes for cooking the protein:
Grilled Chicken or Blackened Chicken Sauteed Shrimp Baked Salmon Baked Tofu or Crispy Tofu
More salad recipes
Love eating salads? We are salad obsessed around here! Here are some of our top favorite salads:
Make our fan-favorite Chopped Salad Go for Best Kale Salad or Kale Caesar Salad Try the simplest Easy Arugula Salad Browse our 60 Salad Recipes Everyone Will Love
This apple walnut salad recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free. No reviews
½ cup walnuts 1 crisp tart apple (like Pink Lady) 8 cups mixed greens or tender lettuces (like butter or Bibb lettuce, frisee, etc) ¼ cup dried cranberries 1 handful sliced red onion* (or shallot) ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles (optional; not shown)
For the dressing
2 tablespoons maple syrup 2 tablespoons apple cider or white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 6 tablespoons olive oil Fresh ground black pepper (optional) To make it a main: Blackened Chicken, Sauteed Shrimp, Baked Salmon, or Baked Tofu
