Salads and cold weather don’t seem to mix, but I think this crisp apple salad with apple cider vinaigrette will woo you into eating your greens all year long. Crisp apples slightly warmed with sautéed shallots with a simple apple cider vinaigrette are perfect fall salad flavors.
This salad is like a nice warm hug after a stressful day, except you’ll be able to button your pants up after eating it.
Apple Salad Ingredients
- Fuji apples or your favorite crisp apples
- Sauteed shallots lend a sweet onion flavor that pairs perfectly with apples
- Golden Raisins
- Toasted Almonds (see different nut options below)
- Pecorino Romano cheese (see alternate cheese options below)
- Fresh mixed salad greens or Arugula salad greens
- An easy 2-minute apple cider vinaigrette
This salad with apples recipe is insanely easy to put together. You simply slice apples and a shallot and slice or cut chunks of pecorino Romano cheese.
Saute the shallot over medium heat for a couple of minutes until they are softened, then add the apples for about one minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Sauteeing the shallots will help soften the raw onion flavor so I don’t recommend skipping this step!
Make the Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This vinaigrette is so simple and so good. Just mix the whole grain mustard, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar together. Add the olive oil in and whisk with a fork or cover with a lid in a mason jar and shake, shake, shake until it’s combined.
Add the golden raisins to the dressing to help soften them and allow them to absorb the flavor.
What kind of protein can I add to this salad?
- Chicken sausage
- Pork sausage
- Grilled Chicken
- Crispy Chicken Thighs (oh that crispy chicken skin)
- Bacon (nuff said)
What other kinds of cheese can I use?
- Cheddar
- Goat Cheese
- Bleu Cheese
- Parmesan (preferably sliced or shaved pieces)
What other kinds of nuts or seeds can I use?
- Walnuts or pecans
- Pumpkin seeds
What kind of apples are best for salad?
This really depends on how sweet or tart you like your salad.
- Fuji apples are my favorite for the crispness and not-too-sweet flavor
- Gala apples are crisp, mild, and sweet
- Honey crisp apples are sweet and crisp
- Green apples (Granny Smith) are crisp and the most tart
More Delicious Salad Recipes from Bessie Bakes
- Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad
- Healthy Shrimp Salad with Orange Sesame Dressing
- Lamb Meatballs with Caesar Salad
- Orzo and Wild Rice Salad
Soups to serve with this salad
Bon Appetit Ya’ll,
Leslie O.
Crisp Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 5-8 oz Fresh mixed salad greens or arugula
- 2 apples peeled and sliced
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1 large shallot sliced
- 3 Tbsp golden raisins
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil for shallots and apples
- Pecorino Romano Cheese shaved or cut into chunks
For the vinaigrette
- 1 ½ Tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Maple syrup
- 1 tsp Whole grain Mustard
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Whisk the apple cider vinegar, whole grain mustard, and maple syrup together. Whisk the 3 Tbsp. olive oil, salt, and pepper until combined. Add the golden raisins to the dressing to soften them and help absorb some of the flavor.
- Heat a medium sauté pan over medium heat and toast the almonds until slightly golden brown. Set aside.
- In the same pan heat the remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Add the sliced shallots and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add the sliced apples and warm through, about 1 minutes. You don’t want to overcook the apples because they will lose their crispness.
- In a large bowl, add the salad greens and toss with the vinaigrette. Top with the golden raisins, apples and shallots, almonds, and shaved pecorino romano cheese. Season again with salt and pepper again if needed.
Notes
- Fuji
- Gala
- Granny Smith (green apples)
- Honeycrisp
- Cheddar
- Goat Cheese
- Bleu Cheese
- Parmesan
- Walnuts or pecans
- Pumpkin seeds
