Description
This Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad combines crisp, sweet-tart Honeycrisp apples with salty feta cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a light honey apple cider vinaigrette. Perfect as a refreshing and nutritious side or light meal, this salad balances flavors and textures beautifully with mixed greens and optional dried cranberries adding a touch of fruity sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (such as arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
- 2 medium Honeycrisp apples, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace: Gather all ingredients on a clean countertop to organize your preparation efficiently.
- Clean the greens: Rinse the mixed salad greens thoroughly under cold running water and dry completely using a salad spinner or paper towels to avoid sogginess.
- Slice the apples: Core the Honeycrisp apples and slice them thinly and evenly for an attractive presentation and consistent texture in each bite.
- Chop and toast walnuts (optional): Roughly chop the walnuts to add crunch, then optionally toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes to enhance their nutty flavor.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the flavor as needed.
- Assemble the salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced apples, crumbled feta cheese, chopped walnuts, and dried cranberries if using.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly without bruising the delicate greens and apples.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to individual plates or serve family-style directly from the bowl. Enjoy immediately to maintain freshness and crisp textures.
Notes
- To enhance walnut flavor, lightly toast them in a dry skillet before adding to the salad.
- Dried cranberries are optional but add a lovely tart sweetness complementing the apples and feta.
- Use Honeycrisp apples for their perfect balance of sweetness and crispness.
- Adjust dressing sweetness and acidity according to your taste preferences.
- Serve this salad fresh; it is best eaten immediately for optimal texture and flavor.
