Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad Recipe
Introduction
This Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad combines crisp, sweet apples with tangy feta and crunchy nuts for a refreshing, flavorful dish. The honey mustard vinaigrette ties everything together with a perfect balance of sweetness and zest, making it a great choice for a light meal or an elegant side.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or a spring mix)
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup (75 g) crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup (40 g) toasted walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup (40 g) dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, place the mixed greens. Arrange the sliced Honeycrisp apples, crumbled feta, toasted nuts, dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds, and red onion on top if using.
- Step 3: Drizzle the prepared honey mustard vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Step 4: Serve immediately as a light main course or a fresh side dish.
Tips & Variations
- For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts or pecans and add extra dried fruit for texture.
- Try using Granny Smith apples instead of Honeycrisp for a tarter flavor.
- Adding grilled chicken or sliced turkey can turn this salad into a more filling meal.
- Toast the nuts lightly to enhance their flavor and crunch.
Storage
Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the vinaigrette in a sealed jar. Assemble and dress the salad just before serving to prevent sogginess. If needed, gently re-toss the salad after resting before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
It’s best to keep the salad ingredients and dressing separate and combine them just before serving to maintain freshness and prevent wilting.
What can I substitute for feta cheese?
Goat cheese or ricotta salata are excellent alternatives that provide a similar creamy and tangy flavor profile.
PrintHoneycrisp Apple and Feta Salad Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad featuring mixed greens, crisp Honeycrisp apples, tangy feta cheese, crunchy toasted nuts, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a sweet and tangy honey mustard vinaigrette. Perfect as a light main course or a flavorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (to toast nuts if desired)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or a spring mix)
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup (75 g) crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup (40 g) toasted walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup (40 g) dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 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
- Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, place the mixed greens as the base. Arrange the thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples on top, followed by crumbled feta cheese, toasted walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds, and thinly sliced red onion if using.
- Dress the salad: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared honey mustard vinaigrette evenly over the salad. Toss gently with salad utensils or tongs to ensure even coating of all ingredients.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh crispness as a side dish or a light main course.
Notes
- For an extra crunch, toast the walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with pomegranate seeds for a juicy burst of flavor.
- Red onion is optional but adds a nice sharpness to balance the sweetness of the apples and honey.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the vinaigrette to suit your desired level of sweetness.
- This salad is best served fresh; if preparing ahead, keep the vinaigrette separate until ready to serve to prevent sogginess.
Keywords: Honeycrisp apple salad, feta cheese salad, walnut salad, honey mustard vinaigrette, mixed greens salad, healthy salad recipe, vegetarian salad
