Green Apple Salad With Walnuts

Green Apple Salad With Walnuts balances sweetness and crunch as a substantial salad that packs a lot of flavor into each bite.

You’ll love the tasty combination of peppery arugula, seasoned walnuts, tart apples, sharp blue cheese and a lightly sweetened vinaigrette. 

I love Salad Recipes like this during the winter months – and even serve it at Christmas!

Perfect for any season, serve this dish it at gatherings or enjoy it as a nutritious snack!

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Where Walnuts Are Grown

Walnuts are grown in many parts of the world, but the top producers include:

1. United States: California is the largest walnut producer, growing over 99% of U.S. walnuts.
2. China: The world’s largest walnut producer, especially in provinces like Yunnan and Xinjiang.
3. Iran: A major grower with a long history of walnut cultivation.
4. Turkey: Known for high-quality walnuts, mainly grown in Anatolia.
5. Mexico, Ukraine and Chile: Other key producers supplying global markets.

Walnut trees thrive in temperate climates with well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight!

Green Apple Salad With Walnuts

With its crisp, tart apples, crunchy walnuts, and sweet and tangy dressing, this salad is both healthy and flavorful.

The combination of ingredients makes it a perfect balance of sweet, salty and tangy, making it a crowd-pleaser for any taste bud.

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This delicious salad takes just 20 minutes of prep and 10 minutes to cook.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 4 c. arugula, rinsed and patted dry
• 6 oz. walnuts, chopped
• 2 T. honey, preferably local
• 2 t. ground cinnamon
• 2 tart apples, cut in half, core removed, and cut into thin slices
• 1 T. fresh lemon juice
• ½ small red onion, sliced thin
• 4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Vinaigrette Ingredients:

• ¼ c. white balsamic vinegar
• 2 T. honey, preferably local
• 1 t. Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ c. extra virgin olive oil

How to Make Apple Walnut Salad

Place top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350°F.

In a small bowl, toss walnuts with honey and cinnamon until evenly coated. Arrange walnuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat™ baking mat. 

Place baking sheet in pre-heated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

While the walnuts are toasting, prepare the vinaigrette by combining the white balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and garlic in a small glass bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until well combined. Taste and adjust other flavors, as desired. Set aside.

Add sliced apples to large salad bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice. Toss until well coated. Add arugula, seasoned walnuts, red onion slices, and blue cheese to bowl and gently toss to combine.

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Drizzle salad with a little vinaigrette right before serving and toss to combine. Serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side.

Note: To remove the sharp taste from red onion, place the slices in a small bowl filled with cold water. Soak for 10-15 minutes. Remove from water and pay dry before serving.

More Recipes with Walnuts

Discover more delicious ways to enjoy walnuts this green apple salad with walnuts with these flavorful recipes!

• Blueberry Walnut Cake
• Walnut Basil Pesto
• Walnut Pumpkin Cream Cheese Tart
• Apple Walnut Muffins
• Banana Walnut Pancakes
• Cinnamon Sugar Walnuts
• Walnut Vanilla Whipped Cream

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