Apple-Cider Vinaigrette Salad with Toasted Walnuts
A crisp, refreshing salad featuring seasonal greens, tart apples, and a honey-sweetened vinaigrette with crunchy toasted walnuts. This american-inspired salads (vegan) ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed greens, sliced apple, dried cranberries into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 245 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup sliced apple
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 2 tbsp apple-cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast 1/4 cup walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant; set aside to cool.
- Step 2: Whisk 2 tbsp apple-cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups mixed greens, 1/2 cup sliced apple, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with 3 tbsp vinaigrette and toss gently until evenly coated, ensuring greens stay crisp.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Apple-Cider Vinaigrette Salad with Toasted Walnuts take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Apple-Cider Vinaigrette Salad with Toasted Walnuts?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Apple-Cider Vinaigrette Salad with Toasted Walnuts?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Apple-Cider Vinaigrette Salad with Toasted Walnuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Apple-Cider Vinaigrette Salad with Toasted Walnuts vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
