Enjoy a delicious apple walnut salad for a flavorful lunch or side salad. You’re in for a mouth watering salad that is full of flavor. Loaded with mesclun greens, spinach, crispy apples, and Gouda cheese. A fall inspired maple vinaigrette tops it off for one amazing dish!
Today’s post is sponsored by Stemilt Fruit. However, all opinions are my own. #ad #stemiltfruit #RaveApples
I am excited to share this apple walnut salad with you. Stemilt fruit is a favorite of mine because they create the most flavorful fruit. It’s always fresh and delicious!
I was introduced to Stemilt fruit a while back and used their cherries to created a cherry salsa. Love this salsa as a dip or with grilled meats!
Today’s apple walnut salad is delicious, versatile, and takes about 10 minutes to make! Enjoy it for lunch or a side salad at dinner.
Stemilt Fruit, has a new apple called Rave® , so juicy and delicious! This apple is so juicy, it’s recommended to eat it raw. This is awesome because the juiciness makes these apples an amazing addition to a great salad!
Fall is my favorite season. Besides loving to wear sweaters, it’s the food and fruit of fall that I love! Apples are by far my favorite fruit. Whether enjoying them as a snack or adding it to a dinner recipe, apples are versatile, hearty and delicious!
Apple Walnut Salad Ingredients
- Rave® apples: these apples are sweet and juicy. A great apple used raw and perfect for apple salads.
- walnuts – add a nice crunch to the salad.
- dried blueberries: a little sweet and another crunch to add to the flavors.
- carrots – adds color and a touch of sweetness to the salad.
- smoked gouda: the smokiness in the cheese is perfect with the juicy apples.
- shallot: adds a subtle flavor to the salad that will blend well with the maple vinaigrette.
- dijon mustard: adds a tangy flavor to balance the maple and balsamic vinegar.
- balsamic vinegar – a good acid for the vinaigrette to balance with the pure maple syrup.
- pure maple syrup – be sure to use pure maple syrup which will balance the acidity in the balsamic vinegar.
Apple Walnut Salad Rave® apples
Wait till you taste the new Rave®apple from Stemilt fruit! They are crunchy, juicy, and have the perfect amount of sweetness! I’m not an apple breeder but these apple are a mix of the delicious Honeycrisp and MonArk apple. Click on the link to get more specifics on the history of the rave apple. I find it fascinating to see new varieties of fruit and how they develop.
Apple Walnut Salad FAQs
How far in advance can I make this salad?
This is a very easy salad to prepare. Make it the day you would like to enjoy it. Put the apples and cheese on the salad right before serving.
Where can I find Rave® apples?
Use the store locator to find any of the fruits that Stemilt Fruit produces.
Can I make variations to the apple walnut salad?
The beauty of this salad is to be able to swap out ingredients.
salad greens: Besides the greens in the recipe, any of these will be awesome: kale, arugula, Boston, romaine, green leaf!
dried fruit: Your favorite dried fruit would well.
cheese: Feta or blue cheese which are both creamy would be great in this salad. Omit if vegan or dairy-free.
protein: To make this a dinner salad:
- vegetarian additions: crispy oven-roasted potatoes, cauliflower steaks, roasted sweet potatoes.
- meat protein addition: add grilled chicken, poached shrimp
Enjoy this salad, you should try
- Superfood Detox Salad: another flavorful salad filled with veggie and fruit and an amazing lemon vinaigrette.
- Apple Bacon Salad from Jade who writes Jonesin for Taste is a delicious salad with
Pro tips for a great Apple Walnut Salad
- The salad is so easy to make. For best result, make it close to when you are ready to eat.
- To prevent the apples from browning, slice the apples and squeeze some lemon on them. (If not eating the salad until later)
- Be sure to use 100% pure maple sugar. Pancake syrup is not maple syrup.
How to Make Apple Walnut Salad
Salad Prep
- Place washed greens into the salad bowl.
- Add shallots, dried blueberries, walnuts. shredded carrots, smoked gouda, and sliced apples to the bowl.
- Drizzle with the maple vinaigrette and enjoy!
How to make the Balsamic Maple Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk in the avocado oil or your preferred oil.
- Check seasoning. Re-season if needed.
- Serve over the Apple Walnut Salad.
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xo! Eileen
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Apple Walnut Salad
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 4 cups mesclun greens
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 2 medium Stemilt Rave® apples, sliced thin Note 1
- 1 small bulb shallot, peeled and diced
- 1 small carrot, peeled and shredded
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ⅓ cup dried blueberries
Balsamic Maple Vinaigrette
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoon s pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ⅓ cup avocado oil your favorite oil will work
- black pepper, to taste
- salt, to taste
Instructions
How to make an Apple Walnut Salad
- In a large salad bowl, add in mesclun greens, spinach, sliced apples, shallot, shredded carrot, chopped walnuts, dried blueberries.
- Drizzle the Maple Vinaigrette on the salad. Mix to combine.
- Ready to serve.
How to make Maple Vinaigrette
- In a small bowl, whisk to combine minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, pure maple syrup, dijon mustard.
- Whisk in the oil to combine all ingredients.
- Taste the vinaigrette. Reseason if needed.
Notes
Nutrition
