Crisp Watercress & Apple Salad with Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette
A refreshing salad where the natural tartness of watercress and tart apples is elevated by a bright lemon-dijon dressing for a perfectly balanced sour profile. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs Watercress, Honeycrisp apple, Red onion 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 210 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 Watercress
- 1 Honeycrisp apple
- 1/4 cup Red onion
- 3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Thinly slice 1 honeycrisp apple into 1/4-inch wedges and toss with 1/4 cup finely minced red onion. Set aside.
- Step 2: Whisk 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Arrange 4 cups watercress on a plate, top with apple-onion mixture, and drizzle with vinaigrette. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and the dressing glistens.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crisp Watercress & Apple Salad with Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 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 Crisp Watercress & Apple Salad with Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette?
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 watercress from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Crisp Watercress & Apple Salad with Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette?
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 Crisp Watercress & Apple Salad with Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette 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.
What goes well with Crisp Watercress & Apple Salad with Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many salads recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
