Seasonal Cranberry Walnut Salad (Printable)

A bright blend of greens, cranberries, walnuts, and tangy orange vinaigrette for festive occasions.

# What You Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
02 - 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
03 - 1 cup toasted walnut halves
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced
06 - 3.5 oz crumbled goat cheese or feta

→ Orange Vinaigrette

07 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
08 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
11 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the salad greens, cranberries, toasted walnuts, thinly sliced red onion, and apple slices.
02 - Whisk together orange juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey until blended. Gradually whisk in olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad mixture just before serving. Toss gently to combine.
04 - Top the salad with crumbled goat cheese or feta and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive but comes together faster than most people can set the table.
  • The tart cranberries and creamy cheese create that sweet and savory balance you crave without thinking about it.
  • You can prep everything ahead and toss it right before serving so it stays crisp.
02 -
  • If you dress the salad too early, the greens will wilt and turn sad within twenty minutes.
  • Toast the walnuts until they smell nutty and warm, but pull them off the heat before they darken or they'll taste bitter.
  • Slice the apple just before tossing or it will brown, a quick squeeze of lemon juice can buy you a little extra time.
03 -
  • Whisk the dressing in a jar with a tight lid so you can shake it up again right before serving if it separates.
  • Taste a piece of apple with a bit of dressing and cheese together before serving, that's the flavor combination you're aiming for in every bite.
Return