Seasonal Cranberry Walnut Salad (Print Version)

Fresh greens with cranberries, toasted walnuts, apple, and a tangy orange dressing for festive gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
02 - 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
03 - 1 cup toasted walnut halves
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced
06 - 3.5 oz crumbled goat cheese or feta

→ Orange Vinaigrette

07 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
08 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
11 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large salad bowl, mix together the salad greens, cranberries, toasted walnuts, red onion, and apple slices.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk the orange juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey until blended. Gradually add olive oil while whisking to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper.
03 - Pour the orange vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese or feta over the salad and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in minutes but looks like you spent all afternoon on it.
  • The orange vinaigrette is bright and tangy without being fussy or heavy.
  • Every bite has texture, crunch, tartness, and creaminess all at once.
  • You can prep the components ahead and toss them together right before serving.
02 -
  • Toast the walnuts until they smell nutty and fragrant, if they start to smoke you've gone too far and they'll taste bitter.
  • Dress the salad right before serving or the greens will wilt and the apples will oxidize and turn brown.
  • If you're using dried cranberries, make sure they're soft and plump, stale ones are chewy in a bad way.
03 -
  • Whisk the vinaigrette in a jar with a tight lid and shake it hard, it emulsifies faster and you can store any leftover dressing right in the jar.
  • If the dressing tastes too sharp, add another half teaspoon of honey, if it's too sweet, add a splash more vinegar.
  • Use your hands to toss the salad gently, it's the best way to coat everything evenly without bruising the greens.
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