Description

This Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Featuring crisp Honeycrisp apples, creamy feta cheese, crunchy toasted nuts, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a simple honey mustard vinaigrette. Ideal as a light lunch, a colorful side dish for any meal, or a festive holiday salad.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
½ cup (75g) crumbled feta cheese
⅓ cup (40g) toasted walnuts or pecans
¼ cup (40g) dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)

For the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette:

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed to achieve a balanced sweet and tangy flavor.
Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, layer the mixed greens first, then add the thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples, crumbled feta cheese, toasted walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds, and red onion slices if using.
Dress and Toss: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared honey mustard vinaigrette over the salad. Gently toss all ingredients together to evenly coat without bruising the delicate greens and apples.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the salad immediately as a colorful, refreshing side dish or a light main course that delights with its contrasting textures and vibrant flavors.

Notes

For a protein boost, add grilled chicken, turkey, shrimp, chickpeas, roasted tofu, or quinoa.
Try swapping feta for goat cheese or blue cheese for different flavor variations.
To increase sweetness, use maple syrup instead of honey or add sliced grapes or pears.
Enhance crunch by using candied nuts or sprinkling sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Store salad components separately to keep them fresh; dress just before serving.
Not recommended to freeze this salad to preserve freshness and texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Honeycrisp apple salad, feta salad, honey mustard vinaigrette, mixed greens salad, healthy apple salad, nut and apple salad, light lunch salad, vegetarian salad