There's something genuinely refreshing about this **Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe**—like biting into crisp fall air with every forkful. The balance of tart apples, crunchy walnuts, and a bright, zesty dressing makes it a standout side or light meal that you'll want to keep coming back to.

This image shows a fresh salad served in a white oval bowl placed on a white marbled surface. The salad is built in many layers, starting with a mix of green leafy vegetables including spinach and darker leafy greens as the base, giving a deep green and rich texture. On top of the greens, thin slices of light green apple are spread evenly, adding a smooth, crisp layer. Scattered around are small chunks of creamy white cheese, finely chopped pink onions, and dark red dried cranberries. Walnut pieces add a rough texture with a warm brown color scattered on top. The salad looks fresh and colorful with a light dressing that gives a slight gloss. Two metal forks rest on the salad's left side, partially buried in the leaves. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe is one of those gems I never tire of making. It’s fresh and vibrant, yet hearty enough to feel satisfying, plus it's incredibly quick to throw together when you’re short on time but crave something special.

Perfect Flavor Harmony: The sweetness of dates and tartness of Granny Smith apples paired with tangy vinaigrette create a flavor dance on your palate.
Nutty Crunch and Creaminess: Toasted walnuts add a delightful crunch, while crumbly feta brings a creamy, salty contrast.
Swift and Simple: From start to finish takes just 15 minutes—ideal for busy days or last-minute guests.
Highly Versatile: You can easily swap ingredients or adjust the dressing for your taste or dietary needs.

A white oval plate holds a fresh salad with three main layers. The bottom layer is a mix of dark green spinach leaves and lighter green leafy greens spread all over the plate. On top of this, thin slices of light green apple pieces are scattered evenly around. The top layer features small white cubes of cheese, dark red dried cranberries, and finely chopped red onion bits sprinkled throughout, adding pops of color. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a white cloth with subtle stripes on the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this salad lies in how the ingredients play off each other: sweet apples and dates, creamy feta, crunchy walnuts, and a bright, citrusy dressing that ties it all together. Using fresh, quality greens and ripe apples is key to getting that perfect fresh snap.

Flat lay of a crisp bowl of mixed greens including baby spinach and romaine, a whole Granny Smith apple sliced with visible seeds, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped pitted dates, a small white bowl of unsweetened dried cranberries, another small bowl filled with toasted chopped walnuts, a small white bowl containing finely diced red onion, a small white dish with crumbled creamy feta cheese, a small white bowl holding golden maple syrup, a small white bowl with golden extra virgin olive oil, a small white bowl with amber apple cider vinegar, a small white bowl with smooth Dijon mustard, a single uncracked clove of fresh garlic, and a tiny white bowl with a pinch of vibrant red cayenne pepper, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Mixed Greens: Using a mix provides varied texture and flavor; baby spinach or romaine are great alternatives.
Granny Smith Apple: Tart and firm, it holds up well and contrasts the sweet elements beautifully.
Pitted Dates: They add natural sweetness and chewiness, but you can omit them for less sugar.
Dried Cranberries: Tangy and sweet, they add a lovely burst without overpowering.
Walnuts: Toasting these brings out their nutty aroma and adds crunch.
Red Onion: Finely diced for just a mild, sharp bite without overpowering the salad.
Feta Cheese: Adds creaminess and a salty pop that balances the sweetness of fruit.
Maple Syrup (or honey/apple jelly): Sweetens the dressing naturally and harmonizes all the flavors.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides the essential tangy zing for the vinaigrette.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Brings richness and smooth mouthfeel to the dressing.
Dijon Mustard: Helps emulsify the dressing and adds subtle sharpness.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds that signature depth and bite.
Cayenne Pepper: Just a pinch to give a surprisingly nice warm lift.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this salad my own depending on what's in the kitchen or the season. Sometimes I swap walnuts for pecans or add a handful of fresh herbs to brighten things up. Don’t be shy — this salad welcomes your personal touch.

Warming it up: On chilly days, I toss in some roasted sweet potato cubes—that adds heartiness and a cozy vibe.
Lower Carb Version: Leave out the dates and use a sugar-free jelly for the dressing to reduce sugars without losing flavor.
Make it Vegan: Skip the feta or swap it for a plant-based cheese alternative, and use maple syrup or agave instead of honey.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe

Step 1: Whisking Together the Zesty Dressing

First off, combine the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and a pinch of cayenne in a small bowl. Whisk it together until it’s smooth and emulsified—that means the oil and vinegar bind properly, giving you a silky dressing. If you don’t whisk well, your dressing might separate quickly, so take a minute here. Set it aside to let the flavors marry while you prepare the salad.

Step 2: Prepping the Crunch and Sweetness

Now grab your walnuts and toast them gently in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Watch closely and shake the pan regularly to avoid burning—that nutty aroma is your sign to stop. Toasted walnuts bring that incredible depth and crunch. While they cool, core and slice the Granny Smith apple thinly so each bite is crisp and tart.

Step 3: Tossing Your Salad Together

In a large bowl, combine your mixed greens, sliced apples, chopped dates, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, finely diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly, making sure everything is evenly coated. Stop and taste—adjust with salt and fresh cracked pepper as needed. The salt brings all those flavors together so don't skip it!

Top Tip

After fiddling around with this salad for a while, I found a few little tricks that really elevate it and make it effortless at the same time.

Toast Your Nuts: Don’t skip toasting the walnuts—it unlocks a much richer flavor and crunch that raw nuts can't match.
Balance Sweet and Tart: If your apples are super tart, adding a little extra maple syrup or honey in the dressing helps avoid any bitterness.
Prepare Dressing Early: Making the dressing first and letting it rest lets flavors deepen so it tastes brighter and more cohesive when tossed with the salad.
Don’t Overdress: It’s better to start with less dressing and add a little more as needed—you can always add, but you can’t take it away!

How to Serve Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a few extra toasted walnut halves and some thin apple slices on top just before serving—it makes for a pretty presentation and adds texture. Sometimes I even throw in a few fresh parsley or mint leaves for a fresh herbal note that brightens every bite.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or grilled salmon; I also love serving it alongside a warm grain like quinoa or farro for a complete meal. On busy nights, pairing it with crusty bread and a mild cheese makes a satisfying light dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this salad in individual clear glass bowls so you can see all the colorful layers. Another fun idea is to build it in mason jars for picnics or portable lunches—the dressing stays separated on the bottom until you shake it up before eating.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Wet greens can get soggy quickly, so I keep them apart until ready to eat. The salad will stay fresh for about 1-2 days this way.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because the texture of the greens and apples changes after thawing. I recommend enjoying it fresh for the best experience.

Reheating

Since this salad is best served fresh and chilled, reheating isn’t necessary. If you added warm ingredients like roasted veggies, just reheat those separately and toss with fresh greens and dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts in the Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe?

Absolutely! Pecans or almonds work beautifully and offer a slightly different texture and flavor profile. Just toast them as you would the walnuts for the best taste.

How long does this Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe keep in the fridge?

When stored properly with the dressing separate from the greens, this salad stays fresh for up to two days. Beyond that, the greens may wilt and the apples might lose their crispness.

Is it okay to prepare the salad dressing ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, I recommend making the citrus vinaigrette a few hours ahead or even the night before. It allows the flavors to meld and deepen, making the salad taste even more vibrant when tossed together. Just give it a quick whisk before using.

Can I substitute the apples for other fruits in the Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe?

Certainly. Pears, for example, are a great alternative that maintains a similar texture and sweetness. Just pick firm varieties so they don’t get mushy in the salad. Pomegranate seeds are also a lovely addition for a pop of color and tartness.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Walnut Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s just so effortless yet impressive. Whether it’s a solo lunch or a festive gathering, it always hits the right notes of flavor, texture, and color. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it just as much as I do—it’s a simple way to brighten up any meal.