There’s something about a really delicious salad that helps break up the hearty winter meals just a bit. This apple and walnut salad is one of my go-to sides to add to our dinners and the light and refreshing taste offset our stews and grilled meats perfectly. It’s a super easy recipe and takes only minutes. It’s also one of my favorites to bring to a get-together or family gathering. Not only is it such a hit with everyone who tries it, but it’s the kind of salad that makes you look like you have your life together. Wink! Fancy without the effort is right up my ally with how busy the working mom’s life is!

Keep scrolling to get the full recipes!

For the greens, I mix together arugula, spinach, and spring mix. Simply add it to your bowl. 

To make it really easy on myself, I sometimes grab a pre-mixed bag of cranberries and walnuts. You can do raw walnuts easily, but I love the extra sweet crunch that glazed walnuts add to the salad. 

Then I crumble the goat cheese and add it to the salad. Goat cheese is softer so crumbling it takes a bit of effort and patience. 

I then slice up the Honeycrisp apple. For this, I keep the slices long and thin, but you can also cut your apple into chunks if you prefer it. 

For the dressing, you are going to combine your olive oil, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper and then whisk together. 

Then you will want to simply add your dressing and toss the entire salad just a few minutes before serving.

It has the most refreshing taste and the mix of savory goat cheese with the sweetness of cranberries and apple… I’m already craving it again! Super easy, simple, and a delicious apple and walnut salad. 

I hope you enjoy! If you end up trying it, come back and leave me a comment letting me know how you liked it! If you are wanting to discover more recipes, make sure to head here. 

What is your favorite go-to side during the winter months?

Apple & Walnut Salad

Yield: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

A delicious and fresh salad paired with your winter meals. The mix of the savory goat cheese with the sweet touch of cranberry and crunch of apple is mouth-watering.

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Ingredients

• 8 cups of greens (I use a mix of arugula, spinach, and spring mix)
• 1 Honeycrisp apple
• 8 oz. of goat cheese
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (raw or try glazed for a sweeter crunch)
• 1 cup dried cranberries

For the dressing:

• 1 cup apple juice
• 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

1. Combine your greens into your bowl
2. Add your walnuts and cranberries
3. Crumble the goat cheese and add to salad
4. Slice the Honeycrisp apple into thin slices
5. Toss all ingredients together
6. In a separate bowl, combine apple juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper and whisk together
7. Toss dressing with salad immediately before serving