Description

This Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad is a fresh and flavorful combination of crisp apples, candied walnuts, smoky bacon, tangy blue cheese, dried cranberries, and mixed greens, all tossed in a simple homemade maple Dijon vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for holiday dinners, lunch, or an easy side dish that delivers the perfect balance of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

4 strips bacon
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup walnuts
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 ounces mixed lettuce greens
⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese (or feta)
⅛ cup thinly sliced red onion
¼ cup dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins
½–1 apple, thinly sliced

For the Maple Dressing

½ teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper (about 8 grinds)
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the bacon on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
While the bacon cooks, melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the walnuts and brown sugar, stirring constantly for 3–4 minutes until toasted and coated. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
Add the salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, red wine vinegar, and olive oil to a small jar. Seal and shake until well combined.
Arrange the mixed greens on a large serving platter or bowl.
Top with the sliced apples, bacon, candied walnuts, blue cheese, red onion, and dried cranberries, layering the ingredients evenly.
Drizzle with the maple dressing just before serving and gently toss if desired.

Notes

Use Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady apples for the best sweet-crisp flavor.
Feta cheese makes an excellent substitute for blue cheese.
Toss sliced apples with a little lemon juice if preparing ahead.
Make the dressing and candied walnuts up to 3 days in advance.
Assemble the salad just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
Store leftover dressing separately for up to one week.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Oven + Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 410 kcal
Sugar: 13 g
Sodium: 540 mg
Fat: 33 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 11 g
Cholesterol: 28 mg