Cranberry Walnut Salad Simple and Tasty Recipe

June 5, 2025 by Taling

Looking for a tasty and simple salad that bursts with flavor? My Cranberry Walnut Salad is your answer! Packed with mixed greens, sweet cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, this dish is perfect for any meal. I’ll share quick steps to create this vibrant salad, plus some clever tips and variations. Let’s dive in and make your next meal fresh, healthy, and delicious!

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Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, and kale)

– 1 cup dried cranberries

– 1 cup walnut halves, toasted

– 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Additional Ingredients

– 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

– 1/2 cup apple, diced (preferably Honeycrisp)

– 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

– 1/4 cup olive oil

– 1 tablespoon honey

– Salt and pepper to taste

The ingredients for this salad are simple but full of flavor. The mixed greens bring a fresh crunch. Spinach, arugula, and kale work well together. Dried cranberries add a sweet and tangy twist. The walnut halves give a nice crunch when toasted. Feta cheese adds a creamy texture.

The red onion gives a sharp bite. Choosing a sweet apple, like Honeycrisp, balances the flavors. Balsamic vinegar and olive oil make a tasty dressing. Honey adds a touch of sweetness. Finally, salt and pepper bring everything together.

For a full recipe, check out the Cranberry Walnut Delight Salad.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Ingredients

First, toast the walnut halves. Use a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir them often for about five minutes. You want them golden and fragrant. This step adds great flavor. Allow the walnuts to cool before adding them to your salad.

Next, prepare your mixed greens. I like to use a mix of spinach, arugula, and kale. Rinse them well and dry them with a paper towel. Make sure to chop any larger leaves. You want bite-sized pieces. Set the greens aside for later.

Now, get your other ingredients ready. Slice the red onion thinly. Dice the apple into small pieces. I recommend using a sweet apple like Honeycrisp. This adds a nice contrast to the salad.

Mixing the Salad

In a large salad bowl, start combining your ingredients. Add the mixed greens first. Then, toss in the dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, diced apple, and sliced red onion. Finally, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top. This mix of flavors is sure to impress.

Now, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Mix it until well combined. This dressing will bring all the flavors together.

Tossing and Serving

Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Use just enough to coat everything lightly. Now, gently toss the salad to mix all the ingredients. Be careful not to squish anything.

Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning. You might want to add a little more salt or pepper. Serve it right away for the best flavor. If you prefer, chill it for up to 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend nicely. Enjoy your Cranberry Walnut Delight Salad! For the full recipe, check out the provided details.

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting the Salad

Toasting nuts adds flavor and crunch. Here’s how to do it right:

– Use a dry skillet over medium heat.

– Stir often to avoid burning.

– Toast until they are golden and smell nutty.

Choosing the right apple is key. I recommend a sweet variety like Honeycrisp. This apple adds a crisp texture and balances tartness in the salad. Look for apples that are firm and have a bright color. Fresh apples enhance the overall taste.

Serving Suggestions

Cranberry Walnut Salad shines when paired with many dishes. It goes well with grilled chicken or salmon for a heartier meal. You can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a warm soup to balance the flavors.

This salad can be both a side dish or a main dish. For a main dish, add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas. This makes it filling and satisfying, perfect for lunch or dinner. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor experience. For the full recipe, check out the full recipe section above.

Variations

Substitutions for Ingredients

You can switch out nuts in your salad. Pecans or almonds work well too. If you want a different cheese, try goat cheese or even blue cheese. They add a nice twist! Fresh herbs can also give your salad a kick. Try adding chopped parsley, basil, or mint for a fresh taste.

Dietary Modifications

If you prefer a vegan salad, skip the cheese. Use maple syrup instead of honey for a sweet touch. For a gluten-free option, check your balsamic vinegar for hidden gluten. Make sure all your ingredients fit your needs. You can also leave out any ingredients you may be allergic to. Cooking should be fun and safe for everyone!

Storage Info

Refrigeration Tips

To keep your salad fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container. This helps prevent wilting and keeps flavors intact. The best storage time for quality is up to 3 days. After this, the greens may lose crunch, and the dressing can make everything soggy.

Preparing in Advance

You can prep ingredients ahead of time. Chop the apple and onion, and toast the walnuts. Also, wash and dry the greens. This way, you save time when making the salad. If you want to make the salad for a gathering, mix all ingredients except the dressing. Add it just before serving. This keeps everything fresh and tasty. For the full recipe, check the details above.

FAQs

Common Questions

How to make Cranberry Walnut Salad ahead of time?

You can prepare this salad a few hours ahead. Make the salad and keep the dressing separate. This way, the greens stay fresh and crisp. Just mix the dressing in right before serving.

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Yes, you can use fresh cranberries. However, they are tart. You may want to add sugar or honey to balance the flavor. Fresh cranberries add a nice crunch and burst of freshness.

Nutritional Information

What are the health benefits of this salad?

This salad is packed with nutrients. The mixed greens provide vitamins A and K. Walnuts offer healthy fats and protein. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants. Feta adds calcium for strong bones.

Is this salad suitable for a specific diet?

Yes, this salad is great for many diets. It is vegetarian and can be made gluten-free. You can also make it vegan by omitting the feta cheese.

Customization Queries

How can I add protein to this salad?

You can add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu. These options boost protein and make the salad more filling.

What other ingredients can I include for variety?

Feel free to add sliced pears, avocado, or even sunflower seeds. These ingredients enhance taste and texture. You can also try different dressings for a new flavor twist.

For the full recipe, check out the Cranberry Walnut Delight Salad section.

This Cranberry Walnut Salad is a fresh blend of greens, nuts, and cheese. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and storage tips. You can adapt it to fit your tastes or diet needs. Whether you serve it as a side dish or a main meal, it’s sure to please. Remember, prepping ahead makes meal time easier. Enjoy your vibrant salad, packed with flavor and nutrients!

$- 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, and kale) - 1 cup dried cranberries - 1 cup walnut halves, toasted - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced - 1/2 cup apple, diced (preferably Honeycrisp) - 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar - 1/4 cup olive oil - 1 tablespoon honey - Salt and pepper to taste The ingredients for this salad are simple but full of flavor. The mixed greens bring a fresh crunch. Spinach, arugula, and kale work well together. Dried cranberries add a sweet and tangy twist. The walnut halves give a nice crunch when toasted. Feta cheese adds a creamy texture. The red onion gives a sharp bite. Choosing a sweet apple, like Honeycrisp, balances the flavors. Balsamic vinegar and olive oil make a tasty dressing. Honey adds a touch of sweetness. Finally, salt and pepper bring everything together. For a full recipe, check out the Cranberry Walnut Delight Salad. First, toast the walnut halves. Use a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir them often for about five minutes. You want them golden and fragrant. This step adds great flavor. Allow the walnuts to cool before adding them to your salad. Next, prepare your mixed greens. I like to use a mix of spinach, arugula, and kale. Rinse them well and dry them with a paper towel. Make sure to chop any larger leaves. You want bite-sized pieces. Set the greens aside for later. Now, get your other ingredients ready. Slice the red onion thinly. Dice the apple into small pieces. I recommend using a sweet apple like Honeycrisp. This adds a nice contrast to the salad. In a large salad bowl, start combining your ingredients. Add the mixed greens first. Then, toss in the dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, diced apple, and sliced red onion. Finally, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top. This mix of flavors is sure to impress. Now, let's make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Mix it until well combined. This dressing will bring all the flavors together. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Use just enough to coat everything lightly. Now, gently toss the salad to mix all the ingredients. Be careful not to squish anything. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning. You might want to add a little more salt or pepper. Serve it right away for the best flavor. If you prefer, chill it for up to 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend nicely. Enjoy your Cranberry Walnut Delight Salad! For the full recipe, check out the provided details. Toasting nuts adds flavor and crunch. Here’s how to do it right: - Use a dry skillet over medium heat. - Stir often to avoid burning. - Toast until they are golden and smell nutty. Choosing the right apple is key. I recommend a sweet variety like Honeycrisp. This apple adds a crisp texture and balances tartness in the salad. Look for apples that are firm and have a bright color. Fresh apples enhance the overall taste. Cranberry Walnut Salad shines when paired with many dishes. It goes well with grilled chicken or salmon for a heartier meal. You can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a warm soup to balance the flavors. This salad can be both a side dish or a main dish. For a main dish, add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas. This makes it filling and satisfying, perfect for lunch or dinner. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor experience. For the full recipe, check out the full recipe section above. {{image_2}} You can switch out nuts in your salad. Pecans or almonds work well too. If you want a different cheese, try goat cheese or even blue cheese. They add a nice twist! Fresh herbs can also give your salad a kick. Try adding chopped parsley, basil, or mint for a fresh taste. If you prefer a vegan salad, skip the cheese. Use maple syrup instead of honey for a sweet touch. For a gluten-free option, check your balsamic vinegar for hidden gluten. Make sure all your ingredients fit your needs. You can also leave out any ingredients you may be allergic to. Cooking should be fun and safe for everyone! To keep your salad fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container. This helps prevent wilting and keeps flavors intact. The best storage time for quality is up to 3 days. After this, the greens may lose crunch, and the dressing can make everything soggy. You can prep ingredients ahead of time. Chop the apple and onion, and toast the walnuts. Also, wash and dry the greens. This way, you save time when making the salad. If you want to make the salad for a gathering, mix all ingredients except the dressing. Add it just before serving. This keeps everything fresh and tasty. For the full recipe, check the details above. How to make Cranberry Walnut Salad ahead of time? You can prepare this salad a few hours ahead. Make the salad and keep the dressing separate. This way, the greens stay fresh and crisp. Just mix the dressing in right before serving. Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried? Yes, you can use fresh cranberries. However, they are tart. You may want to add sugar or honey to balance the flavor. Fresh cranberries add a nice crunch and burst of freshness. What are the health benefits of this salad? This salad is packed with nutrients. The mixed greens provide vitamins A and K. Walnuts offer healthy fats and protein. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants. Feta adds calcium for strong bones. Is this salad suitable for a specific diet? Yes, this salad is great for many diets. It is vegetarian and can be made gluten-free. You can also make it vegan by omitting the feta cheese. How can I add protein to this salad? You can add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu. These options boost protein and make the salad more filling. What other ingredients can I include for variety? Feel free to add sliced pears, avocado, or even sunflower seeds. These ingredients enhance taste and texture. You can also try different dressings for a new flavor twist. For the full recipe, check out the Cranberry Walnut Delight Salad section. This Cranberry Walnut Salad is a fresh blend of greens, nuts, and cheese. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and storage tips. You can adapt it to fit your tastes or diet needs. Whether you serve it as a side dish or a main meal, it’s sure to please. Remember, prepping ahead makes meal time easier. Enjoy your vibrant salad, packed with flavor and nutrients!$