If there’s one dish I look forward to the moment the leaves start to turn, it’s the Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette. This salad captures everything I love about fall: crisp apples, hearty greens, toasted nuts, and a sweet, tangy dressing that just begs for a big bite. Whether you serve it as a side or make it the star of your meal, this salad is truly a delicious celebration of autumn’s bounty and belongs at every fall table!

Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s something magical about throwing together a handful of simple, fresh ingredients and ending up with a show-stopping salad. Each element in the Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette brings a dose of flavor, texture, or color, so use the best you can find and let the ingredients really shine.

Mixed Greens (6 cups): Choose your favorites, like spring mix, arugula, or spinach—these create the tender, leafy base and add vibrant color.
Crisp Apples (2, thinly sliced): Sweet-tart apples provide juicy crunch; Honeycrisp or Pink Lady are fantastic choices.
Walnuts (1/2 cup, toasted): Toasted walnuts offer rich, earthy crunch—don’t skip toasting, it makes them extra nutty!
Dried Cranberries (1/3 cup): These add a tart pop and a bit of chewy sweetness that pairs so well with apples and cheese.
Red Onion (1/4 cup, thinly sliced): For a gentle bite and beautiful color contrast, use just enough so it doesn’t overpower.
Blue Cheese or Feta (1/3 cup, crumbled): Choose your cheese based on your vibe: creamy blue for bold flavor, or tangy feta for a milder touch.
Olive Oil (1/4 cup): A good-quality olive oil forms the base of your Maple Dijon Vinaigrette, giving the dressing its silky texture.
Apple Cider Vinegar (2 tablespoons): This bright acid keeps the vinaigrette lively and balanced.
Dijon Mustard (1 tablespoon): Mustard binds everything together and boosts flavor with gentle heat.
Pure Maple Syrup (1 tablespoon): Use real maple syrup for sweetness and deep fall flavor—no substitutes!
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Lifts all the flavors and keeps the salad seasoned perfectly.
Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon): A little freshly cracked pepper rounds out the vinaigrette.

How to Make Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

Step 1: Prep Your Salad Ingredients

Start by washing and drying your greens thoroughly to keep them crisp. Slice your apples thin so every forkful gets a bit of sweet crunch. Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for a few minutes until fragrant, which intensifies their flavor and brings welcome warmth to the salad. Gather the dried cranberries, thinly slice some red onion, and crumble up your favorite cheese for that irresistible creaminess.

Step 2: Mix the Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper. You want the mixture to look creamy and fully emulsified; give it a good shake or whisk so the flavors mingle together into that tangy-sweet signature dressing. This is the unmistakable backbone of your Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette!

Step 3: Assemble Your Salad

In a large salad bowl, layer the mixed greens first, then artfully scatter the sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, red onion, and your choice of crumbled blue cheese or feta on top. When it’s time to eat, drizzle the Maple Dijon Vinaigrette over everything, then gently toss so every leaf and bite gets coated in that irresistible flavor.

Step 4: Serve Immediately

For the freshest crunch, serve your Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette right after dressing it. This keeps the greens lively and bouncy, while allowing the apples and cheese to shine. If you’re feeling extra festive, finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a grind of fresh black pepper just before serving.

How to Serve Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

Garnishes

A final flourish of garnishes elevates this salad from delicious to unforgettable. Toss in a handful of pepitas or extra toasted walnuts for added crunch. If you love color, a few extra dried cranberries or even some thinly sliced pear makes for a gorgeous, festive look. To really impress, shower a little chopped fresh parsley or chives over the top—simple touches that make the Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette shine.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs perfectly with anything from hearty roasted meats to a cozy bowl of soup. Serve it alongside baked chicken, pork chops, or even a leftover turkey sandwich for a quintessential fall lunch. If you’re keeping things meatless, add a slice of crusty bread or a cup of butternut squash soup, and your meal will feel luxuriously complete.

Creative Ways to Present

The beauty of this salad lies in its versatility! For a special dinner or holiday table, serve the Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette on a large platter layered with the ingredients for a dramatic centerpiece. For parties, plate it in individual bowls or even mason jars for easy grab-and-go servings. You can also convert it into a satisfying grain bowl by layering it over farro or quinoa—guaranteed to wow your guests no matter how it’s served.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette will keep in the fridge for a day or so, especially if you store the dressing separately from the greens to maintain maximum freshness and crunch. If already tossed, it’s best enjoyed the same day to avoid any wilting of the lettuces.

Freezing

This salad is all about fresh, crisp texture, so freezing isn’t recommended. The greens and apples won’t hold up once thawed, but if you have extra Maple Dijon Vinaigrette, you can freeze it in a small jar for up to a month—just give it a good whisk after thawing.

Reheating

There’s no need to heat this salad up—Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette truly sings when served cool. If your walnuts have lost their crunch, you can re-toast them in a dry skillet for a couple minutes to revive their flavor before adding back to the salad.

FAQs

Can I make this salad vegan?

Absolutely! Simply swap out the blue cheese or feta for your favorite vegan cheese or omit it altogether. The dressing is vegan as written, just be sure your mustard and maple syrup are vegan certified if you’re being extra careful.

What apples work best in this salad?

For punchy flavor and crisp texture, try Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Gala, or even Granny Smith apples. Mixing two varieties gives both sweetness and zip, making every bite of Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette even more exciting.

How can I add protein to make this a main dish?

Turn this salad into a meal by adding grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or even pan-seared salmon on top. Chickpeas or white beans are great vegetarian options that blend seamlessly with the autumn flavors.

Can I use another nut besides walnuts?

Go for it! Pecans are a lovely fall-inspired alternative, and almonds or pumpkin seeds also offer great crunch and flavor. Toasting whatever nut you choose brings out their natural oils and makes your Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette even more irresistible.

Is the Maple Dijon Vinaigrette spicy?

Not at all—the Dijon mustard gives just a hint of gentle heat, balanced by the sweetness of real maple syrup. If you like a bit more kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne or black pepper to the dressing before tossing.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about how quickly and beautifully this salad comes together, bursting with fresh crunch and cozy autumn flavor. I hope you give this Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette a try soon—it’s a true fall favorite that never fails to impress. Happy crunching!

Autumn Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

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Description

A delightful autumn apple walnut salad featuring a mix of greens, crisp apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, red onion, and crumbled blue cheese or feta, all tossed in a flavorful maple Dijon vinaigrette. This salad is a perfect blend of sweet and savory, making it a great addition to any fall meal.

Ingredients

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For the Salad:

6 cups mixed greens (spring mix, arugula, or spinach)
2 crisp apples (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup walnuts (toasted)
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta

For the Maple Dijon Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Prepare the Salad: In a large salad bowl, layer mixed greens, sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, red onion, and blue cheese or feta.
Make the Vinaigrette: In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper until smooth and emulsified.
Toss and Serve: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine.