This Honeycrisp Salad combines the irresistible crunch of Honeycrisp apples with a zesty spiced cider vinaigrette, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. It’s super easy to put together and an excellent choice for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a laid-back lunch or setting the table for a festive holiday meal.

Why You Will Love Making Honeycrisp Apple Salad

Here’s why you’ll find yourself coming back to this honeycrisp salad recipe time and again:

Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this salad bowl can be on your table in 15 minutes. It’s all about simple ingredients coming together quickly.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy family meal, a dinner party, or a larger gathering like Thanksgiving, this salad fits right in.
Healthy and Flavorful: Packed with fresh apples, nuts, and greens, it’s a powerhouse of nutrients without skimping on flavor.
Customizable: Feel free to swap out ingredients based on what you have. No walnuts? Throw in some pecans!
Always a Hit: The combination of sweet apples, tangy vinaigrette, and creamy blue cheese always gets rave reviews.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.

A flat lay of Honeycrisp salad ingredients including lettuce, wild arugula, candied walnuts, blue cheese, apple cider vinaigrette, cumin powder, honey, olive oil, apples, and cinnamon, all labeled. — Honeycrisp Salad Ingredients. Photo Credits: Pocket Friendly Recipes

How to Make Holiday Honeycrisp Salad with Step-By-Step Instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!

Prepare the Spiced Cider Vinaigrette

Combine apple cider vinegar, honey, a pinch of cinnamon, black pepper, cumin powder, salt, and olive oil in a mason jar. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until everything is well combined.

Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, toss the chopped frisée lettuce and wild arugula together. Add the Honeycrisp apple slices and candied walnuts, giving everything a gentle mix to distribute the ingredients evenly.

Add the Dressing and Cheese

Drizzle the prepared tangy-sweet apple cider vinaigrette over the salad according to your taste preference. Toss the salad gently to coat everything in the dressing. Finally, sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the top.

A hand pours dressing onto a honeycrisp salad in a ceramic bowl filled with greens, apple slices, walnuts, and blue cheese. A cutting board with more apple slices is visible in the foreground. — Drizzle the apple cider vinaigrette over the salad to taste, toss gently to coat, and sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese.

Dig In!

Your honeycrisp salad is now ready to be served! Enjoy it fresh for the best taste and texture.

Honeycrisp Salad Recipe

Author: Mandy Applegate

This Honeycrisp Salad combines the irresistible crunch of Honeycrisp apples with a zesty spiced cider vinaigrette, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. It's super easy to put together and an excellent choice for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a laid-back lunch or setting the table for a festive holiday meal.

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Prep Time: 15

Total Time: 15

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: honeycrisp salad

Servings:

Calories: 405kcal

Ingredients

1 head Frisée lettuce chopped into bite-size pieces
2 cups wild arugula
1 cup candied walnuts
2 large Honeycrisp apples unpeeled, sliced into thin matchsticks
¼ cup blue cheese crumbled

Spiced Cider Vinaigrette:

4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 ½ tablespoons honey
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cumin powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup olive oil

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Combine the vinaigrette ingredients in a mason jar with a lid and shake vigorously until the vinaigrette comes together.
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 ½ tablespoons honey, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cumin powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup olive oil
Add the lettuce, arugula, candied walnuts, honey crisp apples and blue cheese to a bowl.
1 head Frisée lettuce, 2 cups wild arugula, 1 cup candied walnuts, 2 large Honeycrisp apples, ¼ cup blue cheese
Serve with the dressing.

Notes

Apples: Choose firm, crisp Honeycrisp apples for the best texture in your salad. If Honeycrisp apples aren’t available, Braeburn or Pink Lady apples make good substitutes.

Cheese: Blue cheese adds a nice pungency, but if you’re not a fan, feta cheese or goat cheese are excellent alternatives that still offer a creamy contrast to the crisp apples.

Walnuts: Toasting the candied walnuts briefly in a dry skillet can enhance their flavor, making them even more irresistible in the salad.

Adjusting Dressing to Taste: If the dressing is too tangy or sweet for your liking, adjust the amount of honey or vinegar slightly until you get the balance just right.

Make It a Meal: Add grilled chicken or roasted turkey to turn this side salad into a satisfying main dish.

Seasonal Twists: In the fall, add dried cranberries and swap the walnuts for pecans to give the salad a seasonal twist.

Alternative Dressings: If you want to mix things up, try a lemon poppy seed dressing or a balsamic reduction. Both offer a nice tang that complements the apples beautifully.

Vegan: To make this salad vegan, omit the blue cheese or substitute it with a vegan cheese. Use agave syrup or maple syrup in place of honey in the dressing.

Storage Instructions

Keep the Dressing Separate: If possible, store the dressing separately from the salad in the fridge. The mason jar you mixed the dressing in is great for this.

Airtight Container: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about a day.

Reviving the Greens: If the salad greens start to wilt, try tossing them lightly with a bit of lemon juice or vinegar to perk them up before serving.

Avoid Cutting Apples in Advance: To prevent the apples from browning, slice them just before serving. If you have already cut them, a little lemon juice can help keep them looking fresh.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your honeycrisp salad:

Apples: Choose firm, crisp Honeycrisp apples for the best texture in your salad. If Honeycrisp apples aren’t available, Braeburn or Pink Lady apples make good substitutes.
Cheese: Blue cheese adds a nice pungency, but if you’re not a fan, feta cheese or goat cheese are excellent alternatives that still offer a creamy contrast to the crisp apples.
Walnuts: Toasting the candied walnuts briefly in a dry skillet can enhance their flavor, making them even more irresistible in the salad.
Adjusting Dressing to Taste: If the dressing is too tangy or sweet for your liking, adjust the amount of honey or vinegar slightly until you get the balance just right.
Make It a Meal: Add grilled chicken or roasted turkey to turn this side salad into a satisfying main dish.
Seasonal Twists: In the fall, add dried cranberries and swap the walnuts for pecans to give the salad a seasonal twist.
Alternative Dressings: If you want to mix things up, try a lemon poppy seed dressing or a balsamic reduction. Both offer a nice tang that complements the apples beautifully.
Vegan: To make this salad vegan, omit the blue cheese or substitute it with a vegan cheese. Use agave syrup or maple syrup in place of honey in the dressing.

How to Store Leftover Honeycrisp Salad

Got leftovers? Here’s how to keep your Honeycrisp salad tasting fresh and delicious:

Keep the Dressing Separate: If possible, store the dressing separately from the salad in the fridge. The mason jar you mixed the dressing in is great for this.
Airtight Container: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about a day.
Reviving the Greens: If the salad greens start to wilt, try tossing them lightly with a bit of lemon juice or vinegar to perk them up before serving.
Avoid Cutting Apples in Advance: To prevent the apples from browning, slice them just before serving. If you have already cut them, a little lemon juice can help keep them looking fresh.

Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe

Saving a bit of cash while making this Honeycrisp salad is always a win. Here are three savvy tips to help you economize without sacrificing flavor:

Make Your Own Candied Walnuts: Instead of buying pre-candied nuts, make them at home with some sugar and your regular walnuts—it’s cheaper and you can control the amount of sugar used.
Shop Seasonal: Ingredients are usually cheaper when they are in season. Plan your salad when apples and walnuts are abundant and affordable.
Generic Brands: Opt for store brands for basics like olive oil and vinegar—they often come from the same suppliers as the fancier labels.

What to Serve with Honeycrisp Salad

Here’s what we love to serve with this vibrant salad:

Protein Pairings

Adding a protein can elevate this salad from a side dish to the star of a meal. Grilled chicken or turkey breast are excellent choices, offering a lean, flavorful complement without overpowering the salad’s fresh taste. For a vegetarian option, try tossing in some grilled tofu or chickpeas marinated in a hint of garlic and herbs.

Cozy Soups

A warm, comforting soup pairs beautifully with the crisp, cool textures of the salad. Opt for something creamy like a butternut squash soup or a classic tomato bisque. These rich flavors provide a lovely contrast to the light and refreshing salad, making for a balanced meal that’s satisfying in any season.

Savory Pies

Try serving a savory pie, like a chicken pot pie or a spinach and feta quiche. These dishes have a delicious combination of creamy, savory flavors that can stand up to the bold tastes of the salad. Plus, they add a wonderful warmth and heartiness to the meal, ideal for chillier days.

Honeycrisp Salad