Apple Walnut Salad

This Apple Walnut Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing consists of hearty greens, fruit, almonds, sweet onions, sharp blue cheese, buttery goat cheese, and a sweet balsamic salad dressing. It is a delectable winter salad recipe.

We can't wait to share this apple and walnut salad with you because it has just become one of our favorite meals! Whatever your opinion on salads, we can assure you that it doesn't end with the summer. Who says, after all, that salads are only appropriate during the summer? We appreciate giving our favorite salads a seasonal makeover so we can enjoy locally sourced ingredients in season while still getting all of our greens. The Berry Walnut Spinach Salad, which we make at least once a week in the summer, is actually the inspiration for this Spinach Apple Salad with Walnuts. We decided to add two of our favorite cheeses, blue cheese and goat cheese, as we couldn't decide which to use in place of the fruit. and decided to finish it off with a deliciously simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing!

Apple and Walnut Salad

Of course, you are free to exclude the cheese altogether or pick the variety you like if you don't like blue cheese or goat cheese. Although we prefer the combination of buttery goat cheese and sharp blue cheese in this apple walnut salad, salads are so versatile that you may make them however you like! Just remember to eat your nutritious greens!

Apple and Walnut Salad Ingredients

For the salad

• 6 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 golden delicious apple thinly sliced
• 1 honeycrisp apple thinly sliced
• 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup walnuts roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup goat cheese crumbled
• 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbled

For the dressing

• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 4 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

Instructions 

1. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, apple, onion, and walnuts. 
2. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the dressing.
3. Add the goat cheese and blue cheese to the salad, mix to combine, and then drizzle with the dressing.

Notes

• It's a good idea to eat this salad within 30 minutes after preparation because apples brown when they're exposed to the air.
• The remaining salad components can be prepared in advance, and the dressing can be made in advance and refrigerated until use.