Easy Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad Recipe

Hey there, I’m Eva — your go-to gal for easy, tasty, no-fuss recipes that actually work.

Every holiday season, I find myself craving a salad that feels fresh but still festive. That’s when my Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad comes to the table. It’s crisp, slightly sweet, a little tangy, and has the crunch that makes every bite exciting.

I love serving this at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner because it balances out all the heavy, rich dishes. But honestly? I make it year-round whenever I want something refreshing that doesn’t take much effort.

That’s why I created this Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad. It’s the kind of dish that looks fancy (hello, dinner party!) but takes zero skill, zero special tools, and barely any time. Sweet apples, tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and a dressing that tastes like fall in a jar? Yes, please.

This isn’t just another salad. It’s the kind you make when you want to feel like you’ve got your life together — even if you’re wearing sweatpants and haven’t showered yet.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s learn how to make this salad recipe very quickly.

What is Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad?

It’s a fresh, colorful salad packed with crisp greens, juicy apples, chewy dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and optional crumbled feta.

Tossed in a homemade sweet-tangy dressing made with apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil. It’s light but satisfying. Sweet but balanced. Fancy but foolproof.

Why is Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad So Good?

Because it hits every note your taste buds want:

• CRUNCH from the walnuts
• SWEET from the apples and cranberries
• TANGY from the dressing
• CREAMY (if you add feta)
  It’s the salad that even salad-haters will ask for seconds of. I’ve served this at Thanksgiving, Christmas brunch, and random Tuesday nights — and it always disappears fast.

How to Make Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad?

Recipe Overview

Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad — a simple, refreshing, no-cook salad bursting with sweet apples, tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and a bright homemade dressing. Perfect for beginners, busy nights, or holiday tables.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes (unless toasting nuts — +5 mins)
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Side Dish / Light Main
• Difficulty Level: Super Easy (Beginner Friendly!)
• Yield: 4 servings
• Calories per Serving: ~320 kcal (without feta)
• Serving Size: About 2 cups per person

Ingredients

Fresh Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, romaine — your pick!)
• 2 cups apples, thinly sliced or cubed (I love Honeycrisp or Fuji)
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped or halved (toast ‘em if you’ve got 5 extra minutes — game changer!)
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, but adds a salty creaminess)

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup if you’re vegan)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt & pepper to taste
  (Skip the apple juice and balsamic mentioned in your list — they’ll make it too sweet or overpowering. Trust me, this combo is perfect.)

Ingredient Notes (From My Kitchen to Yours)

• Apples: Slice them last so they don’t brown. A little lemon juice rubbed on the slices helps too.
• Cranberries: Look for unsweetened if you can — or cut the honey in the dressing if yours are super sugary.
• Walnuts: Toasting them = next-level flavor. Just toss in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until fragrant.
• Greens: Baby spinach is my go-to — tender, mild, and holds dressing well.
• Feta: Not a fan? Skip it. Love goat cheese? Swap it in. Blue cheese? Go wild.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Wash & Dry Your Greens

Rinse your greens well. If you’ve got a salad spinner, give them a whirl. Wet greens = soggy salad. Nobody wants that.

Step 2: Prep Your Apples

Core and slice your apples into thin half-moons or small cubes. Toss them with a tiny squeeze of lemon juice if you’re prepping ahead — keeps them looking fresh.

Step 3: Toast the Walnuts (Optional but Worth It)

Heat a skillet over medium. Add walnuts. Stir often for 3–5 minutes until they smell nutty and look a shade darker. Let cool slightly.

Step 4: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust — want more tang? Add vinegar. More sweet? A touch more honey.

Step 5: Assemble the Salad

In a big bowl, toss greens, apples, cranberries, and walnuts. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently. Add feta on top (if using).

Step 6: Serve Right Away

This salad is best fresh. The apples stay crisp, the greens stay perky, and the walnuts stay crunchy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving — without feta)

• Calories: 320
• Fat: 22g
• Carbs: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 22g (mostly from fruit & honey)
• Protein: 4g

Note: Add feta? Add about 80 calories and 4g protein per serving.

Tips for the Best Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad

✅ Toast those walnuts. Seriously. It takes 5 minutes and makes the whole salad taste 10x better.

✅ Slice apples thin. Big chunks can overpower the salad. Thin slices = even bites.

✅ Dress just before serving. Keeps everything crisp.

✅ Double the dressing. It’s that good. Store extra in the fridge for up to 5 days.

✅ Use seasonal apples. They’re sweeter, crisper, and juicier.

Variations (Make It Your Own!)

• Nut Swap: Pecans, almonds, or candied walnuts work great.
• Cheese Swap: Goat cheese, blue cheese, or shaved Parmesan.
• Greens Swap: Kale (massage it first!), butter lettuce, or spring mix.
• Add Protein: Grilled chicken, sliced turkey, or chickpeas turn this into a full meal.
• Vegan Version: Skip feta, use maple syrup instead of honey.
• Extra Crunch: Add sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
• Citrus Twist: Toss in some grapefruit or orange segments.

How to Serve Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad?

1. As a side: Perfect next to roasted chicken, turkey, pork chops, or grilled salmon.

2. As a light lunch: Add grilled chicken or quinoa for a filling meal.

3. Holiday table star: Looks gorgeous on a Thanksgiving or Christmas buffet.

4. Potluck hero: Travels well if you pack dressing separately.

5. Brunch bonus: Serve alongside frittatas or quiche.

What Dressing Goes With Cranberry Walnut Salad?

The dressing I shared — olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon — is my #1 pick. It’s balanced, easy, and lets the fruit shine.

 But if you’re in a pinch? A store-bought apple vinaigrette or balsamic vinaigrette works too. Just taste it first — some are too sweet or too sharp.

Storing Tips

• Undressed salad keeps in the fridge for 1 day (apples may brown slightly).
• Dressing keeps in a jar in the fridge for 5 days — shake before using.
• Don’t dress it ahead. The greens will wilt, and the apples will soften.
• Toasting walnuts ahead? Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Nutritional Benefits of Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad

• Apples: Fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
• Cranberries: Known for supporting urinary health and packed with antioxidants.
• Walnuts: Omega-3s, protein, and healthy fats for brain and heart health.
• Greens: Vitamins A, C, K, and folate.
• Olive Oil: Heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
  This isn’t just a pretty salad — it’s doing good things for your body too.

Always toss the salad gently. You want everything coated, not crushed. And if you’re serving a crowd, put the dressing on the side — let people add their own. Some like it light, some like it drenched. No judgment here.

More Salad Recipes To Might Like

▶ Cucumber Apple Salad Recipe 

▶ Fresh Apple Salad Recipe

▶ Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

▶ Carrot Apple Salad Recipe

▶ Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe

▶ Red White and Blue Cheesecake Salad Recipe

FAQ Section

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad is the kind of recipe that becomes a regular in your rotation. It’s forgiving. It’s flexible. It’s fast. And it tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.

I love how this Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad brings freshness and crunch to the table. It’s the kind of recipe that feels special enough for the holidays but simple enough for weeknight dinners.

So grab those apples, toast those walnuts, shake up that dressing — and make this salad yours. Snap a pic, tag me on Instagram @allcooksrecipe, or just drop a comment below and tell me how it turned out. Did you add chicken? Swap in pecans? Go rogue with blue cheese? I wanna hear it all.

Happy tossing