There's something irresistibly fresh and vibrant about this salad — the crunch of apples, the chew of cranberries, and the toasted warmth of walnuts all come together beautifully. That’s why I love sharing this Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe; it’s simple, colorful, and packed with flavor that everyone will enjoy.

The image shows a fresh salad on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The salad has four layers: the bottom layer is a mix of dark green spinach and red-tinted lettuce leaves with a fresh crispy texture; the second layer consists of many thin slices of shiny, bright green apple scattered evenly; the third layer shows small pieces of crunchy walnuts and dried red cranberries spread across the salad; the top layer is dotted with small white crumbles of feta cheese and finely chopped purple onion bits. A silver fork and spoon rest on the left side of the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe has been a favorite in my kitchen for years — it’s such a satisfying mix of textures and flavors, plus it comes together so quickly. Whenever I bring it to gatherings, it disappears fast! Here’s why I think you’ll love making it too.

Balanced Flavors: The tartness of Granny Smith apples and cranberries perfectly balances the creamy feta and crunchy walnuts.
Quick & Easy: You’ll have this salad ready in just 15 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
Versatility: This salad works as a light lunch, a side dish, or even a centerpiece salad for special occasions.
Nutritious & Satisfying: Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, healthy fats, and a touch of sweetness — all without being heavy.

A fresh salad is served on a white oval plate placed on a white marbled surface. The salad has a base layer of mixed green leaves with different shapes and shades of green, from bright to dark. On top of the greens, there are thin slices of light green apple scattered evenly, adding a smooth texture and pale color. Small white chunks of cheese are distributed over the salad, alongside bits of deep red dried cranberries that add pops of color. Tiny pieces of red onion and orange crumbled nuts are spread throughout, giving the salad a mix of crunchy and juicy textures. The salad looks fresh, colorful, and vibrant, with a light dressing giving a slight shine to some parts. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe brings together fresh, hearty ingredients that complement each other perfectly. As you shop, look for crisp apples and fresh greens to keep the salad vibrant, and don’t skip the toasty walnuts—they add incredible depth.

Flat lay of a small pile of mixed salad greens with baby spinach leaves, a whole Granny Smith apple sliced to show its crisp, pale green flesh, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped pitted dates, a small white ceramic bowl of unsweetened dried cranberries, a small white ceramic bowl with toasted chopped walnuts, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese arranged in a small neat pile, a small white ceramic bowl containing golden maple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl of pale apple cider vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of extra virgin olive oil, a single fresh garlic clove, and a small pinch of vibrant red cayenne pepper powder arranged symmetrically, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Mixed greens: Choose a mix with some texture like romaine or baby spinach for a satisfying bite and bright color.
Granny Smith apple: Their tartness cuts through the creamy feta and sweet dried fruit, giving the salad balance.
Pitted dates: I love using dates for their natural sweetness and chewy texture; omit them if watching carbs.
Unsweetened dried cranberries: These bring a tangy pop that pairs beautifully with the nuts and cheese.
Walnuts: Toast them lightly for extra crunch and a nutty flavor that makes every bite more interesting.
Red onion: Just a little finely diced gives a mild sharpness without overpowering the salad.
Feta cheese: Creamy and salty, it elevates the salad and ties the flavors together perfectly.
Maple syrup, honey, or apple jelly: Sweetens the dressing naturally; swap for sugar-free jelly to keep it low-carb.
Apple cider vinegar: This adds a zesty tang that brightens the whole salad.
Extra virgin olive oil: Use a good-quality one for a smooth and silky dressing base.
Dijon mustard: Helps emulsify the dressing and adds subtle depth.
Garlic clove: Just a hint provides savory warmth.
Cayenne pepper: A pinch adds a surprising gentle kick—feel free to adjust to your taste.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing this salad up depending on what I have on hand or the season. You’re welcome to tweak the ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs—it’s very forgiving and adaptable.

Variation: Sometimes I swap walnuts for pecans or almonds depending on what I’m craving or what’s in my pantry—it’s all great!
Lower Carb Option: I recommend skipping dates and using a sugar-free apple jelly for the dressing to keep carbs down.
Vegetarian & Gluten-Free: This salad is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so it’s great for many diets.
Seasonal Flair: In fall, I toss in some roasted butternut squash cubes alongside the greens for an extra cozy touch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together the Dressing

I start by mixing the maple syrup (or your sweetener), apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, and a pinch of cayenne in a small bowl. Whisk it until the dressing is smooth and well-combined—that emulsification is key for a balanced flavor that coats every bite.

Step 2: Prep Your Fresh Ingredients

While the dressing rests, I chop the greens roughly, slice up the apple after coring, dice the onion finely, and chop the dates and toasted walnuts. Getting everything ready before tossing helps the salad come together quickly and keeps the apples crisp.

Step 3: Combine All Salad Components

Into a large bowl, I add the greens, apples, dried cranberries, dates, walnuts, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Then I pour the dressing over and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Taste it before serving and add salt and pepper to dial in the flavor.

Top Tip

After making this Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe many times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make a surprising difference. These little adjustments ensure your salad stays fresh and flavorful.

Toast the Walnuts: This step really boosts their flavor and adds crunch—you can toast them in a dry skillet for 5 minutes until fragrant.
Prepare Dressing First: Whisk your dressing early and let it sit while prepping other ingredients to meld the flavors beautifully.
Cut Apples Properly: Slice them thin but not too thin to avoid them getting mushy too fast; adding a squeeze of lemon juice can help prevent browning.
Gently Toss: Use salad tongs or clean hands to toss lightly — too much agitation can bruise the greens and make the feta clump.

How to Serve Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle an extra handful of chopped walnuts on top just before serving for that fresh crunch. Sometimes I add a few extra whole cranberries or a delicate drizzle of honey to make it pop visually and flavor-wise—simple touches that impress guests.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or even alongside a warm soup. My go-to sides include crusty bread or quinoa salad for a well-rounded meal that feels light but satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive occasions, I like to serve this salad in individual glass bowls layered carefully so the apple slices and walnuts peek through. Another fun way is to stuff it inside hollowed pears for an elegant, edible bowl that wows your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover salad keeps best stored separately from the dressing to prevent sogginess. If you have some tossed salad, store it tightly covered in the fridge and eat within a day for best crispness. Otherwise, I keep the dressing in a small jar ready to toss the greens fresh for serving.

Freezing

This salad really shines fresh, so I don’t recommend freezing it. The apples and greens lose their texture if frozen. Instead, make fresh batches as needed—it’s so quick to prepare!

Reheating

Since this salad is best served cold or room temperature, reheating isn't necessary. If your leftovers include warm sides, serve the salad chilled alongside to balance the meal.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of apple in this salad?

Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples provide a perfect tartness, you can substitute with Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala apples depending on your preferred sweetness level. Just remember that softer apples may make the salad less crisp.

How long does the salad stay fresh after tossing with dressing?

For best taste and texture, eat the salad within 1 to 2 hours after tossing with the dressing. If you need to prepare in advance, keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to avoid soggy greens and apple slices.

Can I make this salad vegan?

Yes! Simply omit the feta cheese or substitute it with a plant-based cheese alternative or even toasted tofu cubes to keep the creamy component without dairy. The rest of the salad and dressing are naturally vegan-friendly.

What can I use instead of walnuts if I have a nut allergy?

If you’re avoiding nuts, try pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or roasted chickpeas for crunch. They won’t have the exact same flavor but add great texture and keep the salad interesting.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberries Recipe holds a special place in my recipe collection because it’s one of those effortless dishes that always impresses. Whether you’re making it for yourself for a quick lunch or serving it at a holiday table, it delivers freshness, texture, and flavor that feels both elegant and comforting. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own little go-to salad — I’m pretty sure you’ll be just as hooked as I am!