This Apple Walnut Salad with Celery Seed Vinaigrette is the perfect option if you're looking for something on the lighter side. It is bright, fresh, and has the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. It's even hearty enough to serve as a main meal when served with grilled or pan-seared chicken breast over the top!
Apple Walnut Salad Ingredients
This salad is super simple and straight-forward. Diced red apples (varieties like Fuji or Gala work well), chopped walnuts, crumbled gorgonzola, golden raisins, and seared or grilled chicken breast are served on a bed of mixed greens. Dress everything with my homemade Celery Seed Vinaigrette, and you can't go wrong! This dressing has the perfect amount of sweetness and tanginess to pair with the other toppings. I have an entirely separate post about this Celery Seed Vinaigrette here, so don't miss it! The dressing deserved it's own post because it works with a lot of other recipes and it's just really freakin' good!
Of course, you are welcome to make this salad your own by switching out the toppings to your liking. I like to be sure that there are several elements that complement each other, like the apples and the walnuts. The sweetness pairs perfectly with the earthy crunch that the walnuts provide. These are then contrasted by the saltiness of the crumbled gorgonzola as well as the tanginess of the vinaigrette. The apples and the walnuts also give a really great, crunchy textural contrast to the whole dish. The golden raisins are subtle, but they also add a nice bit of background sweetness and a touch of texture.
Did you make this recipe for Apple Walnut Salad with Celery Seed Vinaigrette?
Let me know in the comments below how yours turned out, and don't forget to leave a rating!
Recipe
Apple Walnut Salad with Celery Seed Vinaigrette
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Celery Seed Vinaigrette Ingredients
- 1 Cup Light Olive Oil (8 oz)
- ½ Cup Distilled White Vinegar (4 oz)
- 1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
- Juice from ½ Lemon
- ¼ Cup, Plus 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Celery Seeds
- ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
Salad Ingredients
- Mixed Greens Or salad of your choice
- Red Apples Diced (Any sweet variety like Fuji, or Gala work great)
- Chopped Walnuts
- Golden Raisins
- Gorgonzola Crumbled
- Grilled/Seared Chicken Sliced
- 1 Batch Celery Seed Vinaigrette
Instructions
Celery Seed Vinaigrette
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Dressing will settle after it sits for a few minutes. Shake to reincorporate immediately before serving.
Salad Assembly
- Add mixed greens or salad of your choosing to a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle diced red apples, walnuts, golden raisins, gorgonzola cheese over the salad, and toss to combine.
- Add Celery Seed Vinaigrette to taste, and toss to coat evenly.
- Top salad with sliced, grilled, or pan-seared chicken breast.
Stacy says
Bright and light but filling!