Apple-Walnut Salad
A crisp, refreshing apple-walnut salad featuring sweet apples, crunchy celery, and toasted walnuts, perfect for light lunches or brunches with vibrant fruit garnishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
- Peel and dice the apples, leaving the skin on half an apple for color.
- Stir the diced apples into the mayonnaise mixture.
- Add diced celery and chopped walnuts to the mixture.
- Serve the salad on salad greens and garnish with sliced oranges and grapes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise. If you're not a fan of walnuts, consider using pecans or sunflower seeds for a different texture. To prevent the apples from browning, toss them in a little lemon juice after dicing. Additionally, this salad can be made ahead of time; just keep the dressing separate until serving to maintain freshness.
Serving Suggestions
This Apple-Walnut Salad is a delightful side dish for grilled meats or as part of a potluck spread. It pairs beautifully with dishes like Pioneer Vegetable Soup or Irene's Meat Loaf. Consider serving it with a crusty baguette for a satisfying meal, and feel free to add more fruits like grapes or berries for added sweetness.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep the salad crisp, it's best to add the salad greens just before serving. If the salad seems dry after refrigeration, you can stir in a bit more mayonnaise or yogurt to refresh it.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Apple-Walnut Salad contains roughly 638 calories, with 7g protein, 14g carbohydrates, and 65g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (16% of the Daily Value), protein (14% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (14% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 578mg per serving (25% 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 vegan?
Yes, you can easily make this Apple-Walnut Salad vegan by using a plant-based mayonnaise alternative. Additionally, you might want to enhance the flavor with a dash of maple syrup instead of sugar.
How can I make this salad more colorful?
To add more color, consider incorporating diced red or yellow bell peppers, or even shredded carrots. You can also use a mix of salad greens or add sliced strawberries for a vibrant touch.
What type of apples work best for this salad?
For the best flavor and texture, choose crisp apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. These varieties provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness, enhancing the overall taste of the salad.
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).