The Best Harvest Celery Apple Salad Recipe

Every year when fall rolls around, I start craving crisp, refreshing salads that balance sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. That’s exactly why I love this Harvest Celery Apple Salad.

It’s the kind of side dish that feels light but still satisfying, making it perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or even a quick weekday lunch.

I used to think salads were boring. For the longest time, I just saw them as something you had to eat before the main course.

But I realized a salad can be a satisfying meal all on its own, full of different flavors and textures.

The key is to find that perfect mix of crunchy, creamy, sweet, and savory. And that’s exactly what this Harvest Celery Apple Salad does.

It’s my go-to recipe for when I want something fresh and flavorful, but I don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

It’s a problem many of us face: we want to eat something healthy and delicious, but we’re too busy for a complicated recipe. Maybe you have dinner guests coming over, or you just want a quick, easy side dish for your family dinner.

This celery and apple salad is the solution. It’s a simple recipe, and it hits all the right notes with its crisp celery, sweet apples, and creamy avocado.

This is the salad you’ll want to make for every occasion, from a simple weeknight meal to a big holiday dinner.

Why You Will Love Harvest Celery Apple Salad?

You’ll love this simple celery salad because it’s so easy to put together. There’s no cooking involved, and the ingredients are easy to find.

The combination of textures is wonderful—you get a great crunch from the celery and apple, a creamy richness from the avocado, and a little chew from the dried cranberries.

The dressing, with its hint of sweetness and tang, ties everything together perfectly. This Apple Salad is a great way to use up fresh autumn produce, and it’s a dish that tastes as good as it looks. Need a dish that fits holiday tables or everyday dinners? It’s versatile enough for both.

How to Make Harvest Celery Apple Salad Recipe?

Harvest Celery Apple Salad Recipe Overview

This Harvest Celery Apple Salad is a quick and flavorful salad perfect for a light lunch or a tasty side dish.

This crunchy celery apple salad recipe is made with fresh veggies and a simple dressing that makes the flavors pop. It’s a great option for beginners and anyone who wants to add more fresh ingredients to their meals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Side Dish, Salad
• Difficulty: Easy
• Yield: 2 servings
• Calories per serving: 350 kcal (approximate)
• Servings: 2

Equipment:

• Large mixing bowl
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Small jar or bowl for the dressing

Ingredients

Salad:

• 1 head of lettuce, rinsed and dried
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 large avocado, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced (I like using Gala or Granny Smith)
• 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds, roasted and salted
• 100 g feta cheese, crumbled
• ¾ cup dried cranberries (or golden raisins, or diced dates)
• ½ to ¾ cup finely diced red onion

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Ingredient Notes:

• I recommend using a crisp apple like Granny Smith for a tart flavor, or Gala for a sweeter taste.
• You can swap the sunflower seeds for pecans or walnuts if you want to.
• The red onion gives a nice little bite, but you can use less if you prefer a milder taste.
• I love using dried cranberries in this autumn harvest salad for a sweet, chewy texture.

Instructions

1. Prep the veggies.

Wash and dry the lettuce, celery, and apple. Slice the celery, apple, and avocado.

2. Make the dressing.

In a small jar or bowl, combine the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon Mustard, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake or whisk until it’s smooth and well mixed.

3. Combine the salad ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl, add the lettuce, sliced celery, apple, avocado, sunflower seeds, feta cheese, dried cranberries, and red onion.

4. Dress and serve.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything. Serve right away to enjoy the fresh crunch.

Tips and Variations

1. Make ahead:

You can chop the lettuce, celery, and red onion in advance and store them in the fridge. Keep the apple and avocado whole until you’re ready to serve so they don’t brown. The dressing can be made up to a few days ahead of time and stored in a sealed jar in the fridge.

2. Add protein:

For a more filling meal, you can add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or a dollop of peanut butter to this apple celery salad.

3. Nutty twist:

Instead of sunflower seeds, try toasted pecans or walnuts for an extra layer of flavor and crunch.

Serving Suggestions

This Harvest Celery Apple Salad is a great side dish to serve with grilled chicken, roasted pork, or a warm bowl of soup. It’s also a perfect light lunch on its own. It’s a beautiful, colorful salad that your dinner guests will love at family gatherings or special holidays.

Health Benefits

This Celery Apple Salad is packed with good things. Apples and celery are both full of fiber, which is great for digestion.

Avocado provides healthy fats that help your body absorb nutrients. The nuts and seeds add protein and more fiber, making this a satisfying and healthy meal.

Storing Tips

This salad is best eaten fresh. If you have leftovers, they might get a little soggy because of the dressing.

If you’re planning on leftovers, it’s best to dress only the portion you plan to eat right away. You can store the undressed salad mix in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day.

Recipe Note

• This salad is great for using up fresh veggies from your garden.
• The dressing is light and tangy, but you can adjust the honey for more sweetness.
• Be sure to pat the lettuce dry after washing to prevent the salad from becoming watery.

Other Related Salad Recipes

▶ Easy Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad Recipe

▶ Cucumber Apple Salad Recipe

▶ Fresh Apple Salad Recipe

▶ Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

▶ Easy Cucumber Tomato Salad

▶ Carrot Apple Salad Recipe

FAQ Section

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy this harvest celery apple salad as much as I do. I love how simple it is to make, and it’s always a hit with my family and friends.

 I love serving it with roast dinners, but it’s also perfect on its own for a light lunch.

Give this recipe for apple celery salad a try and let me know what you think in the comments. I’d love to hear about any changes you make!