Goat Cheese and Apple Salad with Apple Cider Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A crisp salad featuring creamy Cantabrian goat cheese, honeycrisp apples, and toasted walnuts, dressed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette. This spanish-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed spring greens, Cantabrian goat cheese, walnuts 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 300 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.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Serves 2 Spanish cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk together 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl until emulsified.
  2. Step 2: Arrange 6 cups mixed spring greens on a large plate. Top with 4 oz crumbled Cantabrian goat cheese, 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts, and 1/2 cup diced Honeycrisp apples.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Goat Cheese and Apple Salad with Apple Cider Dressing 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 Goat Cheese and Apple Salad with Apple Cider Dressing?

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 spring greens from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Goat Cheese and Apple Salad with Apple Cider Dressing?

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 Goat Cheese and Apple Salad with Apple Cider Dressing 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 Goat Cheese and Apple Salad with Apple Cider Dressing?

Spanish 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.

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