Seasonal Cranberry Walnut Salad (Printable Version)

Fresh greens tossed with cranberries, toasted walnuts, apple, red onion, and citrus dressing topped with crumbly cheese.

# 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

# Step-by-Step:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive but comes together in the time it takes to set the table.
  • The sweet-tart cranberries cut through rich holiday meals without feeling heavy.
  • You can prep everything ahead and toss it at the last second.
  • It works just as well for a quiet weeknight as it does for a crowd.
02 -
  • Toast the walnuts until they smell nutty and fragrant, but pull them off the heat before they darken or they'll taste bitter.
  • Dress the salad at the very last moment, once those greens get wet they lose their crunch fast.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the dressing separate and store the apple slices in a little lemon water to prevent browning.
03 -
  • Use a jar with a tight lid to make the vinaigrette, shake it hard for thirty seconds and it emulsifies perfectly without any whisking.
  • Taste a piece of apple with a walnut and a cranberry before you dress the salad, that balance of sweet, tart, and nutty is what you're aiming for.
  • If your crowd is big, double everything except the dressing, you'll be surprised how far one batch goes.
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