Apple And Blue Cheese Salad
A crisp, flavorful salad combining sweet apples, tangy blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts, perfect for a light lunch or elegant side dish with fresh greens.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a salad bowl, beat together sour cream, mayonnaise, blue cheese, lemon juice, celery salt, and pepper until well blended.
- Fold in the sliced apples and celery.
- Sprinkle with broken walnuts and serve on greens.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream and mayonnaise. If you prefer a different cheese, feta or goat cheese can work well in this salad. To save time, pre-sliced apples can be used, but be sure to toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning. Also, adding some dried cranberries can enhance the flavor profile, reminiscent of Waldorf Rice Salad.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is best served chilled and makes a refreshing side dish for grilled meats or a light lunch. It pairs beautifully with a crusty bread or can be served on a bed of mixed greens for added color and nutrition. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a bowl of soup or a hearty sandwich.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The apples may brown slightly, but the flavors will still be delicious. Avoid freezing, as the texture of the apples and celery will change. To refresh it before serving, you can add a bit more sour cream or yogurt if it seems dry.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Apple And Blue Cheese Salad contains roughly 492 calories, with 3g protein, 14g carbohydrates, and 49g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (42% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dressing and chop the apples and celery ahead of time. However, it's best to combine them just before serving to maintain the freshness and crunch of the apples. Store the ingredients separately in the refrigerator until you're ready to mix everything together.
What type of apples are best for this salad?
For the best flavor and texture, choose crisp red apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji. They provide a nice sweetness that complements the tanginess of the blue cheese. Avoid overly soft varieties, as they can become mushy when mixed with the dressing.
Can I add more ingredients to this salad?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment by adding ingredients like grapes, raisins, or even sliced pears for extra sweetness. Chopped herbs like parsley or mint can elevate the flavor as well. This recipe is versatile and can be adapted to your taste, making it a great addition to any vegetarian recipes collection.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).