Easy Apple Salad Recipe: A Fresh Twist on Classic Crunch

Sweet and crisp apple salad brings a refreshing twist to everyday dining.

Vibrant ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Crunch meets softness in this delightful culinary creation that reinvents ordinary meals into memorable experiences.

Seasonal produce takes center stage, highlighting the natural elegance of fresh components.

Balanced nutrition meets delectable taste, promising a dish that satisfies both hunger and palate.

Versatile and adaptable, this salad works perfectly as a side or standalone meal.

Each bite promises a delightful journey through carefully selected, complementary ingredients.

Apple Salad That’s Fresh, Sweet, and Crunchy

• Zap Away Browning: Lemon juice transforms apple cubes, creating a vibrant, fresh look that keeps your salad Instagram-worthy while adding a bright, tangy kick.
• Craft a Creamy Dream: The mayo and brown sugar dressing creates a luxurious, sweet-creamy coating that hugs each ingredient, delivering a mouth-watering flavor explosion that'll make taste buds dance.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: This no-cook recipe comes together in minutes, perfect for busy home cooks wanting a delicious side dish that impresses without complicated techniques or hours of preparation.
• Texture Party: Crisp apples, crunchy celery, juicy grapes, and nutty pecans create a symphony of textures that make every bite interesting and satisfying, ensuring nobody gets bored with this awesome salad.

What Goes Into a Simple Apple Salad

• Apples: Crisp and sweet base of the salad, choose firm and bright-colored varieties.
• Grapes: Sweet burst of flavor, seedless varieties work best.
• Lemon: Prevents apple browning and adds bright citrus notes.

• Celery: Provides fresh crunch and light herbaceous flavor.
• Pecans: Adds rich nutty texture and depth to the salad.
• Dried Cranberries: Introduces sweet-tart flavor and chewy texture.

• Mayonnaise: Creates creamy base for the salad dressing.
• Brown Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to balance the tangy elements.

Mixing Up a Crisp Apple Salad

Step 1: Prepare Apples

Wash and dice apples into bite-sized cubes. Immediately toss apples with fresh lemon juice to prevent browning and add a bright, tangy flavor.

• Apples
• Lemon juice

Step 2: Create Creamy Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and brown sugar until smooth and well blended. The mixture should be creamy and have a subtle sweetness.

• Mayonnaise
• Brown sugar

Step 3: Combine Salad Components

• Lemon-coated apple cubes
• Thinly sliced celery
• Halved grapes
• Chopped pecans
• Dried cranberries

Gently mix all ingredients until evenly coated with the creamy dressing.

Step 4: Chill and Enhance Flavors

Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap or lid. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop. This resting time helps the ingredients blend and creates a more harmonious taste profile.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from refrigerator and give a quick stir before serving. The chilled salad offers a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy textures that make it perfect for gatherings or as a refreshing side dish.

Tips for an Apple Salad That Stands Out

• Prevent Apple Oxidation: Toss cubed apples in fresh lemon juice immediately after cutting to maintain their crisp, white appearance and prevent unsightly browning.
• Create Smooth Dressing: Whisk mayonnaise and brown sugar thoroughly until completely blended, eliminating any sugar granules for a silky, consistent texture.
• Balance Ingredient Proportions: Chop fruits and nuts into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure every spoonful contains a perfect mix of flavors and textures.
• Enhance Flavor Development: Allow salad to rest in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, letting ingredients marinate and ingredients become more harmonious.
• Serve Strategically: Keep salad chilled until serving moment to maintain crispness of fruits and nuts, preventing soggy or wilted ingredients.

Store and Serve Apple Salad the Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Store the apple salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep the salad cold to maintain its crisp texture and prevent browning.
• Prevent Separation: Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the salad's surface before sealing the container to minimize moisture and keep ingredients fresh.
• Revive Texture: Before serving leftovers, gently stir the salad and add a few fresh pecans or a splash of lemon juice to restore crunchiness and brighten flavors.

Great Pairings for Fresh Apple Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's sweet and tangy profile, cutting through the creamy dressing with refreshing acidity.
• Match with Nutty Bread: Serve alongside toasted walnut or sourdough bread to add extra crunch and provide a hearty base that balances the light, fruity salad.
• Complement with Grilled Chicken: Add some protein by serving the apple salad with simply seasoned grilled chicken breast, creating a complete and satisfying meal that highlights the salad's fresh ingredients.
• Finish with Vanilla Ice Cream: End the meal with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream that echoes the sweetness of the brown sugar dressing and provides a cool, smooth contrast to the salad's crisp textures.

Creative Apple Salad Ideas to Try

• Tropical Transformation: Swap apples with mango and pineapple chunks, add shredded coconut, and use a honey-lime dressing for a vibrant island-inspired version.
• Autumn Harvest Mix: Replace grapes with diced pears, swap pecans for toasted walnuts, and incorporate a dash of cinnamon to create a cozy fall-themed salad.
• Protein Power Boost: Incorporate diced rotisserie chicken or crumbled goat cheese to transform the salad into a more substantial main course with added protein and richness.
• Berry Bright Remix: Substitute dried cranberries with fresh blueberries and raspberries, and use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter, tangier dressing that keeps the salad fresh and nutritious.

Apple Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mediterranean apple salad combines crisp apples, creamy feta, and zesty herbs in a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired dish. Delightful textures and tangy flavors invite you to savor each delectable bite of this simple yet elegant summer classic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 honeycrisp apples, cubed
• 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
• 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced

Binding/Sweet Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1.5 tablespoons (22 milliliters) brown sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon

Garnish/Texture Ingredients:

• ½ cup (60 grams) chopped pecans
• ½ cup (60 grams) dried cranberries

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Instructions

1. Prepare the apples by gently coating cubed pieces with fresh lemon juice, creating a vibrant barrier against oxidation while infusing a subtle tangy essence that preserves their pristine appearance.
2. Craft a velvety dressing by meticulously blending mayonnaise and brown sugar in a spacious mixing vessel, whisking until the mixture transforms into a smooth, harmonious base with a delicate sweetness.
3. Introduce the lemon-kissed apple cubes into the creamy mixture, followed by crisp celery segments, jewel-like halved grapes, rustic pecan fragments, and ruby-toned dried cranberries.
4. Tenderly fold and integrate all components, ensuring each morsel becomes lavishly embraced by the luxurious dressing, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.
5. Seal the bowl with a protective cover and nestle the salad into the refrigerator’s cool sanctuary for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to intertwine and develop a more profound, cohesive taste profile.
6. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and revive the ingredients’ vibrant character, presenting a refreshing, crisp, and utterly delightful culinary creation.

Notes

• Protect apple slices from oxidation by quickly tossing them in fresh lemon juice for a vibrant, crisp appearance.
• Create a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise and brown sugar until smooth, which helps bind ingredients together deliciously.
• Mix fruits and nuts thoroughly to ensure every bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy textures.
• Refrigerate the salad for at least half an hour to allow flavors to develop and ingredients to chill completely.
• Serve cold for maximum crunch and refreshment, making this salad ideal for summer gatherings or quick lunch sides.
• Customize by substituting nuts or dried fruits based on personal preference or seasonal availability.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 37g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 5mg