Apple Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette Recipe

A festive and refreshing Apple Salad with a tangy Cranberry Vinaigrette, perfect for your holiday gatherings! This vibrant salad combines crisp apples, crunchy celery, and tart cranberries, all tossed in a homemade vinaigrette that's both easy to make and incredibly delicious. Get ready for a burst of holiday flavor in every bite!

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Calories 227.3 kcal
Protein 9g
Rating 4.8 (5 Reviews)
Apple Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Passionate home cook & Forktionary contributor.

Ingredients for Apple Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette

  • Jellied Cranberry Sauce
  • Olive Oil
  • Sugar
  • Orange Peel
  • Rice Vinegar
  • Fresh Orange Juice
  • Salt
  • 2 cups diced apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji recommended)
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
  • Dried Cranberries
  • Lettuce Leaves
  • Brie Cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts (per salad)

How to Make Apple Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette

  1. **Make the Cranberry Vinaigrette:** In a blender, combine 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend for 15-20 seconds, or until smooth.
  2. **Chill the Vinaigrette:** Pour the vinaigrette into a small container, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days) to allow the flavors to meld.
  3. **Prepare the Salad:** In a large bowl, gently toss together 2 cups diced apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji recommended), 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery, and 1/2 cup dried cranberries.
  4. **Assemble the Salad:** Divide the apple mixture evenly among 8 lettuce-lined salad plates.
  5. **Add Toppings:** Top each salad with 1 ounce crumbled feta cheese and 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts.
  6. **Serve:** Drizzle the chilled cranberry vinaigrette over each salad just before serving. Enjoy!

Chef's Tip for Extra Flavor

Elevate your dish with simple flavor boosters! A final flourish of freshly chopped herbs can add incredible brightness, while a squeeze of lemon or lime juice right before serving can awaken all the flavors. Don't underestimate a sprinkle of quality finishing salt or a drizzle of good olive oil to make your creation shine.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

7 g

Sugar

63g

Fat

18g

Carbs

6g