Dishes With Dad

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Main Dishes
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Meats
      • Grilling
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Desserts
  • Weeknight Meals
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Weeknight
  • Summer
  • About
  • Subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Weeknight
  • Summer
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Salads

Apple Walnut Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

Published: Oct 14, 2021 · Modified: Nov 2, 2023 by Scott · This post may contain affiliate links.

↓ Jump to Recipe

This delicious apple walnut salad is a perfect taste of fall with crisp sweet apples, crunchy candied walnuts, dried cranberries, and tangy blue cheese all tossed in a homemade apple cider vinaigrette dressing.

Overhead view of a bowl of apple walnut salad.
Jump to:
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Apple Cider Vinaigrette Ingredients
  • How to make apple cider vinaigrette dressing
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Recipe Tips and FAQs
  • More Salad Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • More Fall Favorites

This autumn apple salad recipe has a short simple list of ingredients, so it is perfect for a weeknight side dish or add rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy fall lunch salad. It's also a great option for your next Thanksgiving or holiday table too.

The crisp apples, crunchy candied walnuts, and dried cranberries provide sweetness while the blue cheese adds a salty, tangy flavor and it's all pulled together by the delicious homemade apple cider vinaigrette dressing that brings the acid to balance out the sweetness. These simple ingredients combine for a salad that's loaded with flavor!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for the fall apple and walnut salad shown arranged on a counter.
  • Lettuce - For the base of this fall salad, I like to use a mix of green and purple lettuces to add color, but feel free to make it your own and use your favorite salad greens.
  • Blue Cheese - The blue cheese adds creaminess and tang. Goat cheese is another good option if you want a milder flavored cheese.
  • Glazed Walnuts - I opted for convenience and bought a pack of glazed walnuts that also had cranberries. If you want to make your own glazed nuts check out this simple 5 minute recipe for candied walnuts.

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette Ingredients

This simple apple cider vinaigrette dressing uses common pantry ingredients and is quick and easy to make. It's great on this salad and also a good option on my kale salad with roasted butternut squash for a heartier main course salad.

Ingredients for apple cider vinaigrette shown arranged on a counter.
  • Olive oil
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • Honey
  • Garlic
  • Salt and pepper

How to make apple cider vinaigrette dressing

  1. Combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
  2. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
  3. The dressing can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
The prepared apple cider vinaigrette dressing shown in a glass bowl.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Rinse the lettuce and drain off as much of the water as possible. If you don't have a salad spinner, I highly recommend one. It makes the process of cleaning your lettuce much easier and gets more of the water off the leaves for crisper lettuce.
  2. Chop the lettuce and add to a large bowl, then add half of the sliced apples, walnuts, cranberries, and crumbled blue cheese. Toss gently to combine.
  3. Top the salad with the remaining apples, walnuts, cranberries, and blue cheese. Then serve with the prepared apple cider vinaigrette.

If you are making this salad in advance I recommend tossing the apples in lemon juice to help keep them from browning.

Overhead view of a serving of salad.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

Can I substitute other fruits?

Absolutely, this salad is also delicious with pears or for more of a summer twist try strawberries and blueberries!

What other cheese can I use in this salad?

If you're not a fan of blue cheese feta or goat cheese also work well in this salad and add a similar richness and creamy texture.

Can this be made ahead?

Like most salads this dish is best fresh, but if you plan to make ahead toss the apples in a tablespoon of lemon juice to keep them from browning and leave off the dressing. Store the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to eat. Toss with the dressing just before serving.

More Salad Recipes

  • Grilled peaches with burrata, arugula, and blueberries served on a platter with grilled bread.
    Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad
  • A large serving bowl filled with an authentic Greek salad.
    Greek Cucumber Salad
  • A serving of Brussels sprouts and kale salad on a plate, next to a serving bowl of salad.
    Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad
  • Side angle view of a large serving platter piled high with kale and roasted butternut squash salad.
    Kale and Farro Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash

If you try this recipe, don't forget to leave a RATING or COMMENT below. I would love to hear from you!!! And FOLLOW me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest recipes!

📖 Recipe

Fall Apple and Walnut Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

This delicious salad is a perfect taste of fall, combining crisp sweet apples, dried cranberries, crunchy candied walnuts, a tangy blue cheese crumbles all tossed in a homemade apple cider vinaigrette dressing.
Author: Scott
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 310kcal

Ingredients

Salad

  • 6-7 cups chopped lettuce
  • 1 large apple, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup candied walnuts
  • ⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 small clove garlic, finely minced

Instructions

Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing

  • Add all of the vinaigrette ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until well combined. Alternatively you can add the ingredients to a small jar and close the lid, then shake vigorously to combine.

Salad

  • Rinse the lettuce then drain as much of the water as possible, preferably using a salad spinner.
  • Chop the lettuce and add to a large bowl. Add half of the sliced apples, cranberries, walnuts, and blue cheese then toss gently. Top with the remaining apples, cranberries, walnuts, and blue cheese and serve with the prepared dressing

Notes

  • If preparing the salad in advance toss the sliced apples in a tablespoon of lemon juice to keep them from browning and leave off the dressing until ready to serve.
  • It time allows prepare the dressing in advance and allow to rest for 30 min to allow the flavors to combine.
  • Goat cheese or Feta cheese can be substituted for the blue cheese if preferred.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 10gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 626mgPotassium: 86mgFiber: 4gSugar: 23g

* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating above and mention @disheswithdad or tag #disheswithdad on social media!

More Fall Favorites

  • Sweet potato hash topped with an egg, set beside a skillet of sweet potatoes and eggs.
    Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet
  • Instant pot pork roast served on a dish with potatoes and carrots.
    Instant Pot Pork Roast and Potatoes
  • A large stack of pumpkin pancakes topped with butter, pecans, and syrup.
    Pumpkin Pancakes with Pancake Mix
  • London broil shown on a bed of rice topped with mushroom and onion gravy.
    Instant Pot London Broil

Share this post:
« Grilled Jerk Chicken
Creamy Instant Pot White Chicken Chili »
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

Hello, I'm Scott! I'm a former professional cook and an experienced home cook. I created this space to share my favorite quick and easy, family-friendly recipes and hopefully inspire you to try some of them for yourself!

Read More →

Summer Favorites

  • A plate of grilled boneless chicken thighs.
    Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • pulled pork sandwich with slaw
    Pulled Pork Barbecue: Ultimate Guide
  • Red, white, and blue popsicles on a weathered white washed wood background.
    Red White and Blue Popsicles
  • Close up image of a spinach and feta turkey burger on a wheat bun with a thick spread of tzatziki sauce and topped with sliced cucumber and red onion.
    Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
  • Grilled flank steak served on a platter.
    Grilled Flank Steak
  • A small cast iron dish on a wooden table filled with smoked baked beans.
    Smoked Baked Beans

See More →

Featured Recipes

  • Chicken enchiladas with green sauce served on a plate.
    Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce
  • close up of a baking dish of fresh homemade lasagna.
    Lasagna with Homemade Noodles
  • Side angle view of a serving of creamy chicken and rice casserole with broccoli shown set beside a casserole dish.
    Chicken and Rice Casserole (Without Soup!)
  • lemon dill salmon on sheet pan
    Baked Lemon Dill Salmon
  • A serving plate of beef tenderloin tips covered in mushroom gravy with mashed potatoes.
    Beef Tenderloin Tips in Mushroom Gravy
  • Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Kebabs

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Follow on Social

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 Dishes With Dad

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.