This Apple Salad Recipe is a crisp, colorful, and utterly refreshing dish that brings together the best tastes and textures of fall—though honestly, it’s a favorite at my table all year long! With juicy apples, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, toasted nuts, and tangy bits of cheese nestled atop tender greens, every bite is a delightful surprise. Finished with a creamy honey-yogurt dressing and a handful of dried cranberries, this salad is quick to prepare but feels special enough for company. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the magic of fresh produce with hardly any fuss—just a few simple steps stand between you and a bowl of pure deliciousness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Apple Salad Recipe lies in how the simplest ingredients come together to create something vibrant and satisfying. Each element brings its own unique color, crunch, or flavor, so you’ll want to choose the freshest of everything for the best results.

Apples: Go for crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith; their tart-sweet bite keeps the salad lively and fresh.
Lemon juice: A splash prevents browning and adds a hint of tang that brightens the whole salad.
Celery: Thin slices add irresistible crunch and a subtle earthiness that balances the fruit.
Red grapes: When halved, these juicy gems provide pops of sweetness and glorious color.
Walnuts or pecans: Toasted nuts bring nutty richness and texture—plus, that “freshly toasted” aroma is amazing!
Dried cranberries: A handful adds chewy sweetness and gorgeous ruby color.
Feta or goat cheese (optional): Crumbles of cheese lend creamy, tangy notes that tie everything together.
Mixed greens or baby spinach: A bed of greens turns this into a meal, making each serving lighter and more elegant.
Greek yogurt: Creamy and tangy, this forms the base of the effortless homemade dressing.
Mayonnaise (or more yogurt): Adds smoothness and body to the dressing—feel free to go all-in on yogurt for a lighter touch.
Honey: A drizzle enhances the natural sweetness of the fruit and rounds off the flavors.
Apple cider vinegar: Just enough acidity to make the salad lively without overpowering the toppings.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and making every ingredient in your Apple Salad Recipe sing.

How to Make Apple Salad Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Apples

Start by chopping your apples into bite-sized pieces—no need to be fussy, just aim for even chunks so every forkful gets a good mix. Toss the apple pieces immediately with lemon juice right in a large bowl. This not only keeps the apples from turning brown but adds a lovely brightness to the overall flavor.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad Base

Add your celery, halved grapes, toasted nuts, dried cranberries, and cheese (if you’re using it) to the bowl with your apples. Gently give everything a toss so that all those crunchy, sweet, and creamy bits are evenly grouped together. Already, it’s starting to look like a party in a bowl!

Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until you’ve got a smooth and luscious dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning—a little extra honey if you like it sweeter, or a pinch more salt for balance.

Step 4: Dress and Toss

Pour the dressing over your salad ingredients and gently fold everything together. You want everything coated but not swimming—the beauty of this Apple Salad Recipe is in the balance and variety of flavors in every bite.

Step 5: Serve Over Greens

Layer your mixed greens or baby spinach on a platter or individual plates, then mound the dressed salad right on top. Your Apple Salad Recipe is ready to serve immediately, or you can chill it for up to an hour if you prefer it cold and crisp.

How to Serve Apple Salad Recipe

Garnishes

A final flourish can take this salad from everyday to extraordinary. A sprinkle of extra toasted nuts, an extra handful of cranberries, or a little more cheese on top will make your Apple Salad Recipe look even more tempting. If you have a few tiny mint or parsley leaves, those add a pop of color that feels restaurant-fancy!

Side Dishes

This salad is a star with grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or even alongside a big bowl of warm soup. It’s also great tucked into lunch wraps or served next to a crusty baguette. The sweet-tart, creamy crunch of the salad pairs beautifully with just about anything.

Creative Ways to Present

For more playful presentations, try serving portions in individual mason jars for picnics, or hollow out apple halves and fill them with salad for a special touch. You could even layer the salad in a trifle bowl to showcase all its vivid colors. The Apple Salad Recipe is as fun to look at as it is to eat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any Apple Salad Recipe left (which isn’t likely!), keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Thanks to the lemon juice and the creamy dressing, the apples stay pretty fresh and the greens hold up for a day, though the salad is best enjoyed within 24 hours.

Freezing

This isn’t a recipe that takes kindly to freezing—the fresh fruit, creamy dressing, and greens won’t have the same delicious textures once thawed. The salad is so quick to whip up, you’ll want to make it fresh each time for the ultimate flavor and crunch.

Reheating

No reheating needed (or recommended!) for this Apple Salad Recipe. Enjoy it straight from the fridge, giving it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing and freshen up the flavors.

FAQs

Can I substitute another fruit for the apples?

You sure can! Pears are a lovely alternative, especially in the fall, or try firm Asian pears for a crunchy twist. The Apple Salad Recipe is also flexible enough to include diced mango or even peaches when they’re in season.

Is there a dairy-free option for the dressing?

Absolutely—swap the Greek yogurt and cheese for your favorite non-dairy alternatives. Coconut yogurt and vegan feta work beautifully to keep the creamy vibe without the dairy.

How do I toast the nuts?

Place the walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for 3–4 minutes, just until they smell toasty and turn golden. Let them cool before adding to your Apple Salad Recipe so they stay extra crunchy.

Can I make this Apple Salad Recipe ahead of time?

You can prep the components ahead—chop the apples and toss with lemon juice, make the dressing, and keep everything chilled separately. Toss the salad together right before serving to keep the textures just right.

What greens work best if I don’t have baby spinach?

Mixed spring greens, arugula, romaine, or even butter lettuce are all wonderful bases for the Apple Salad Recipe. Just go for greens that are crisp and fresh.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll fall in love with this Apple Salad Recipe as much as I have—it’s a celebration of simple ingredients that come together to make something truly special. Give it a try the next time you want to add a little extra brightness and crunch to your menu. Enjoy every bite!

Apple Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 25 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Apple Salad Recipe is a delightful mix of crisp apples, sweet grapes, crunchy nuts, and tangy cranberries tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing. It’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a refreshing and healthy choice for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

2 crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
1/2 cup red grapes, halved
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
3 cups mixed greens or baby spinach

Dressing:

3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon mayonnaise (or more yogurt)
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Toss the chopped apples with lemon juice: In a large bowl, mix the chopped apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Add remaining salad ingredients: Combine celery, grapes, nuts, cranberries, and cheese (if using) to the bowl.
Prepare the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Combine everything: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat.
Serve: Serve the salad over mixed greens or spinach. Enjoy immediately or chill for up to 1 hour before serving.

Notes

This salad is perfect for fall but can be enjoyed all year round.
You can customize by using pears instead of apples or sunflower seeds in place of nuts to accommodate dietary preferences.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American