Maple-Roasted Carrot and Apple Salad with Walnuts

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

Warm, sweet-and-savory salad featuring caramelized carrots, crisp apples, and toasted walnuts in a tangy maple vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs Honeycrisp, thinly sliced apple, roughly chopped walnuts, maple syrup 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 340 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 340 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss carrots with 1 tbsp olive oil, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Roast on a sheet pan at 400°F for 20 minutes until edges are caramelized and tender.
  2. Step 2: Whisk together apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and remaining 1 tsp olive oil to make vinaigrette.
  3. Step 3: While carrots roast, toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  4. Step 4: Toss mixed greens with vinaigrette, then top with roasted carrots, apple slices, toasted walnuts, and crumbled feta. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Roasted Carrot and Apple Salad with Walnuts take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Maple-Roasted Carrot and Apple Salad with 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 roughly chopped walnuts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Roasted Carrot and Apple Salad with 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 Maple-Roasted Carrot and Apple Salad with 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 Maple-Roasted Carrot and Apple Salad with Walnuts vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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