Honeycrisp Salad Recipe

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

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