Description
This Ina Garten Cape Cod Salad Recipe is a crisp, colorful mix of fresh greens, tart Granny Smith apple, sweet dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and creamy blue cheese, all tossed in a bright citrus-honey dressing. It’s the perfect quick side dish for weeknight dinners, holiday tables, or light lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 large Granny Smith apple, diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or Gorgonzola
Dressing
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together orange juice, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is fully emulsified and smooth. Set aside.
- Toast the walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally until fragrant. Let cool, then chop.
- In a large serving bowl, combine mixed greens, diced apple, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and crumbled blue cheese.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Toss the diced apple with a small squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning if prepping ahead.
- Add grilled or rotisserie chicken to turn this into a complete meal.
- Substitute feta or goat cheese if blue cheese is too strong.
- Store dressing in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed / No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg