Cranberry Walnut Salad: A Sweet and Savory Holiday Delight
Cranberry walnut salad combines crisp apples, tangy dried cranberries, and crunchy candied walnuts for a delightful texture and flavor explosion. This vibrant salad features the perfect balance of sweet and savory elements, making it an ideal addition to holiday gatherings, special dinners, or even a nutritious weekday lunch. The combination of blue cheese or feta crumbles adds a creamy tanginess that complements the sweetness of the fruit beautifully.
A Versatile Year-Round Favorite
While this cranberry and walnut salad shines during the holiday season, its refreshing profile makes it suitable for any time of year. The simple preparation and make-ahead components allow you to assemble a stunning salad even on busy days. The homemade dressing ties everything together with notes of apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard, creating a restaurant-quality walnut cranberry salad right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients for the Perfect Cranberry Walnut Salad
Fresh Produce and Pantry Staples
- 1 red apple, quartered, seeds removed, finely sliced
- Squeeze of lemon juice (to prevent apple browning)
- 120g/4oz mixed salad leaves (4-5 big handfuls)
- 1/2 red onion, finely sliced (wedge style, not half-moon)
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons feta or blue cheese, crumbled (optional garnish)
Candied Walnuts Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans
Homemade Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1.5 teaspoons white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
How This Salad Is Different From Other Fruit Salads
This cranberry walnut salad is designed as a make-ahead side dish with crisp apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy nuts. Unlike creamy grape or dessert-style salads, it emphasizes texture and balance, making it especially suitable for holidays and gatherings.
How to Make Cranberry Walnut Salad
Preparing the Candied Walnuts
- Place butter in a small non-stick skillet over medium heat. When melted, add sugar and stir briefly.
- Allow the sugar to mostly melt, leaving it undisturbed until it starts bubbling slightly.
- Add the walnuts and stir for about 2 minutes until coated in the caramelized sugar.
- Pour the nuts onto a parchment paper-lined tray and spread them out to cool completely.
- Once cooled, roughly chop half of the nuts while leaving some whole for visual appeal.
Preparing the Salad Components
- Place the dried cranberries in a bowl and pour freshly boiled water over them. Let soak for 10 minutes to plump them up, then drain thoroughly.
- Drizzle the sliced apple with lemon juice and gently toss to coat, preventing browning and adding a slight tang.
- For the dressing, combine all dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until well blended.
- Taste and adjust as needed – add more oil for creaminess, sugar for sweetness, or vinegar for tanginess.
Assembling Your Cranberry Walnut Salad
- Place the mixed salad leaves in a large bowl along with half the apple slices and all the sliced red onion.
- Drizzle with half the dressing and gently toss to coat all the leaves evenly.
- Scatter the plumped cranberries, candied walnuts, remaining apple slices, and crumbled cheese over the top.
- Drizzle the remaining dressing over everything just before serving for maximum freshness and flavor.
Tips & Variations for Cranberry Walnut Salad
Customizing Your Salad
- Cheese Swaps: While blue cheese provides a tangy contrast, try goat cheese or gorgonzola for different flavor profiles in your cranberry feta salad.
- Nut Alternatives: Pecans, almonds, or pistachios can replace walnuts for a different crunch and flavor.
- Fruit Variations: Add mandarin orange segments, pears, or fresh berries for additional fruity notes in your holiday cranberry salad.
- Protein Additions: Transform this into a main dish by adding grilled chicken, turkey, or salmon.
- Make-Ahead Tips: Prepare components separately (dressing, candied nuts, prepped vegetables) and assemble just before serving for the freshest results.
- Sweeter Version: Add a tablespoon of honey to the dressing for a sweeter profile that complements the tang of cranberries.
- Heartier Option: Mix in 1/2 cup cooked quinoa or farro for a more substantial salad with cranberries and walnuts.
Creative Add-ins
- For an apple cranberry walnut salad with more depth, add 1/4 cup of pomegranate arils for a juicy burst in every bite.
- Incorporate fresh herbs like mint or basil for a fragrant dimension.
- Avocado chunks add creaminess that balances the crunchy texture of nuts.
- A sprinkle of sunflower or pumpkin seeds increases the nutritional profile while adding another textural element.
Salad Dressings That Pair Well With This Salad
Beyond the Classic Cranberry Salad Dressing
- Raspberry Vinaigrette: The berry notes in this dressing echo the cranberry flavor while adding a fruity sweetness that works beautifully with the blue cheese.
- Balsamic Vinaigrette: A richer, slightly sweeter dressing that caramelizes the flavor profile, perfect when serving this salad with heartier main courses.
- Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing: Bright citrus notes cut through the richness of candied nuts and cheese, creating a refreshing alternative for summer versions of this salad.
- Honey Mustard Dressing: The sweet-tangy balance provides an excellent counterpoint to the sharp blue cheese while complementing the fruit elements.
What to Serve With This Salad
Perfect Pairings for Your Cranberry Walnut Salad
A cranberry and walnut salad makes a versatile side that complements many main dishes. For holiday meals, pair it with Juicy Mayo Roasted Turkey or Parmesan Roast Turkey for a traditional feast. The salad’s sweet and tangy profile balances the savory richness of roasted meats beautifully.
For weeknight dinners, serve alongside Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken or Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken for a complete meal. The fresh, bright flavors of the salad provide the perfect contrast to these savory dishes.
For a light lunch, pair with warm Parker House Rolls or a cup of Chicken Vegetable Soup for a satisfying meal that doesn’t feel heavy.
Storage Tips for Cranberry Walnut Salad
Keeping Your Salad Fresh
For the best texture and flavor, this cranberry walnut salad should be assembled just before serving. However, you can prepare the components ahead of time and store them separately:
The candied walnuts will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. This makes them perfect for preparing in advance of holiday gatherings.
The dressing can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored in a jar in the refrigerator. If it solidifies, simply let it stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes and shake well before using.
Pre-washed salad greens can be stored with a paper towel in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Slice apples and onions just before assembling to prevent browning and strong aromas.
If you have leftover dressed salad, it will keep for about 24 hours in the refrigerator, though the greens will soften somewhat. For the best results with leftovers, store the components separately and assemble fresh portions as needed.
FAQs About Cranberry Walnut Salad
Can I make this cranberry walnut salad ahead of time?
You can prepare all components separately up to 2 days in advance. Store the candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature, make the dressing and refrigerate in a sealed jar, and wash and dry the greens. Slice the apples just before assembling to prevent browning. Toss everything together just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
What’s the best substitute for blue cheese in this salad?
If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, there are several excellent alternatives for this cranberry walnut salad. Feta provides a similar tangy flavor with less intensity, while goat cheese offers a creamy texture with mild tartness. For a milder option, try crumbled queso fresco or even small cubes of white cheddar. If you prefer a dairy-free version, avocado chunks can provide the creamy element without the cheese.
How can I turn this into a meal-sized salad?
To transform this into a hearty main dish, add 4-6 ounces of protein per serving. Grilled chicken, sliced turkey breast, or salmon pairs wonderfully with these flavors. For vegetarian options, add 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa or farro plus 1/4 cup of chickpeas or edamame. You could also increase the portion size and add a hard-boiled egg or two for additional protein.
Conclusion
Enjoy the Perfect Balance of Sweet and Savory
This cranberry walnut salad is more than just a side dish—it’s a vibrant celebration of contrasting flavors and textures that will elevate any meal. The sweet-tart cranberries, crunchy candied walnuts, and tangy blue cheese create a symphony of taste that’s simultaneously sophisticated and comforting.
Whether you’re serving it at a holiday gathering, a special dinner, or simply treating yourself to a nutritious lunch, this salad delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. The homemade dressing and candied nuts add those special touches that make this salad memorable without requiring advanced cooking skills.
Give this cranberry walnut salad recipe a try the next time you want to impress guests or simply enjoy a delicious, nutritious meal. Your taste buds will thank you for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy elements in every bite!
Other Salads to Try
Cranberry Walnut Salad with Candied Nuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make candied nuts: Melt butter in skillet, add sugar and let mostly melt until bubbling. Add nuts, stir 2 minutes, then spread on parchment to cool. Chop half, leave some whole.
- Plump cranberries by soaking in freshly boiled water for 10 minutes, then drain.
- Toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar, shake well until blended.
- Assemble: Place salad leaves in bowl with half the apple slices and all onion. Add half the dressing, toss gently.
- Top with cranberries, candied nuts, remaining apple, and cheese. Drizzle with remaining dressing just before serving.
Notes
- For make-ahead, store components separately and assemble just before serving.
- Candied nuts keep for 2 weeks in an airtight container.
- Dressing can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken or turkey.
