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This Apple Cheddar Salad is simple and refreshing! Fresh greens, crisp apples, and sharp cheddar combine perfectly with crunchy cinnamon walnuts, dressed with a flavorful citrus vinaigrette.

Apple Salad with White Cheddar and Walnuts

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Tonia | Feasting at Home
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Salad, Holiday, Thanksgiving
  • Method: Tossing
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Apple Salad is simple and refreshing! Fresh greens, crisp apples, and sharp white cheddar combine perfectly with crunchy cinnamon walnuts, dressed with a flavorful citrus vinaigrette.


Ingredients

Units

Spiced Walnuts

  • 1 cup walnuts (or use pecans or hazelnuts)
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • salt to taste

Citrus Dressing

  • 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, finely minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon shallot, finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper- adjust to taste! *see notes

Apple Cheddar Salad

  • 6 ounces lettuce mix- peppery greens are a good addition here: arugula, mizuna, cress
  • 1/2 heaping cup of sharp white cheddar cheese, finely cubed
  • 2 medium apples, thinly sliced
  • 2 scallions, minced
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or currants or fresh pomegranate seeds)
  • 1/2 cup spiced walnuts (above)


Instructions

  1. Make the spiced walnuts. Preheat the oven to 325°F. In a small bowl toss the walnuts, maple syrup, cinnamon, coriander, pepper, and salt to taste. Spread out on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through. You want to get them glazed and toasty. Remove from the oven, and immediately stir with a fork- this keeps them from adhering to the pan. Let them cool completely. You can do this ahead!
  2. Make the citrus dressing. Whisk together orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, shallot, dijon, salt and black pepper. (This makes 2/3 cup. You will have dressing left over.)
  3. Make the salad. Toss the sliced apples in a couple teaspoons of dressing to keep them from going brown while prepping. In your serving bowl toss the salad greens with 3 tablespoons of dressing or just enough to coat. Arrange or scatter cheese, apples, scallions, cranberries, and walnuts over the greens. Drizzle a few more tablespoons of dressing over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Vegan adaption: Use a block of vegan cheddar cheese and swap out the honey in the dressing with maple syrup

Apples: Use Honey crisp apples, gala apples, fuji, Cortland, Pink lady, granny smith apples, or any crunchy apple with a sweet-tart flavor.

This can be prepped ahead. Package all ingredients separately- cut the apple just before serving. A very popular potluck salad!

Tip: Black pepper really compliments the fruit in this salad! Adjust to your liking.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 209
  • Sugar: 13.8 g
  • Sodium: 136.4 mg
  • Fat: 14.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17.7 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 10.9 mg