I recently whipped up a Summer Apple Salad that manifests a delightful mix of crisp sliced Honeycrisp apples, mixed greens, crumbled feta, and toasted walnuts. The vibrant blend of extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey creates a balanced burst of sweet, savory, and tart flavors.

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I recently discovered a new twist on the Honeycrisp Apple And Feta Salad that I really think you’ll dig. I started with two thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples mixed up with 6 cups of your favorite greens like baby spinach or arugula.

Then I tossed in about 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese along with 1/2 cup of toasted walnuts. The crunch from the walnuts combined with the creaminess of the feta creates a rad contrast thats hard to beat.

For the dressing, I combined 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon honey with salt and pepper. When you taste it, you get the perfect balance of sweet, savory and tart flavors.

It reminds me a bit of a best apple salad or even a yummy side salad recipe that you could serve for a light lunch or holiday treat.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it brings together a perfect mix of flavors in a way that just makes my taste buds happy. First, I love the mix of sweet apples and tangy vinaigrette, it gives me a little burst of flavor with every bite. Second, the textures are awesome—crisp apple slices, creamy feta and crunchy walnuts all come together in a really satisfying way. Third, it’s really simple to throw together even when I’m short on time and still want something fresh and healthy. Lastly, every time I make it I feel like I’m treating myself and my guests to something unique and delicious, which always makes me smile.

Ingredients

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Honeycrisp Apples: They are crisp and naturally sweet, loaded with fiber to help digestion.
Feta Cheese: It has a salty kick, adds protein and calcium which is good for bones.
Toasted Walnuts: They bring a crunchy texture and healthy fats plus omega 3 for a better heart.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This oil is natural and fruity, making the dressing smooth and rich.
Apple Cider Vinegar: It gives a light tang that unifies the sweet and savory flavors in the salad.

Ingredient Quantities

2 Honeycrisp apples, cored and thinly sliced

6 cups mixed greens, like baby spinach or arugula

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make this

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1. Start by washing the Honeycrisp apples, then core and slice them thinly while leaving the skin on for extra crunch and flavor.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk well until the dressing is smoothly blended.

3. Place the mixed greens in a large salad bowl. I like to use baby spinach or arugula as they add a peppery bite.

4. Gently toss in the thin apple slices, making sure they are spread out evenly.

5. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top, then add the roughly chopped toasted walnuts for that satisfying crunch.

6. Drizzle the honey mustard vinaigrette over the salad evenly, making sure every bite gets a little bit of that tangy goodness.

7. Give everything a light toss to mix the flavors together and serve immediately, enjoy this refreshing salad as a light lunch or a holiday side dish.

Equipment Needed

1. A cutting board for washing, coring, and slicing the Honeycrisp apples
2. A chef’s knife for coring and thinly slicing the apples
3. A small bowl to mix the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper
4. A whisk for blending the dressing until it’s smooth
5. A large salad bowl to place the mixed greens, apple slices, feta cheese, and walnuts
6. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately portion the dressing ingredients
7. A serving utensil to toss the salad evenly before serving

FAQ

What kinda apples should I use?

Honeycrisp apples are best because theyre super crisp and sweet, but if you cant find them, try using Gala or Fuji instead.

Can I swap out the feta cheese?

Yeah, you totally can. Goat cheese works too but it might change the flavor a bit.

How do I toast the walnuts?

Just put them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often until they start to smell nutty.

Can this salad be made ahead of time?

You can prep most of the ingredients ahead, just remember to add the dressing right before serving or the greens might get soggy.

What should I serve with this salad?

This salad is really versatile, it goes great with grilled chicken or even a pasta dish if you wanna keep it light.

Honeycrisp Apple And Feta Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of Honeycrisp apples, try using Granny Smith or Fuji apples. They have a similar crunch and a tangy bite that works real nice
If you dont have feta cheese on hand, goat cheese is a great alternative. It gives a creamy texture and tangy flavor that blends well in the salad
For the toasted walnuts, you can use toasted pecans or even sliced almonds. They add that same nutty crunch with a slightly different flavor
You can swap extra virgin olive oil with avocado oil or grapeseed oil if you want a lighter taste in the dressing
When it comes to apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar works just fine too. Its a bit milder but still delivers that needed tang

Pro Tips

1. When you’re slicing the apples, try to keep ’em consistent in thickness so every bite is balanced. It also helps if you toss the slices in a little lemon juice first to stop them from browning too fast.

2. Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, and keep stirring ’em so they dont burn. Once they start smelling nutty, it’s time to take ’em off the heat for the best crunch.

3. Mix the dressing ingredients together and let it sit for a few minutes before drizzling over the salad. This waiting time really lets the flavors blend together better.

4. When you toss the salad, do it gently so the greens and apple slices don’t get all mushy. A light toss helps keep everything crisp and fresh.