If you’re searching for a salad that’s bound to impress yet simple to whip up, the Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad is your answer! Crisp apples, tangy blue cheese, and toasty walnuts nestled atop mixed greens create a celebration of textures and flavors that’s anything but ordinary. This vibrant dish pulls everything together with a zingy homemade vinaigrette, making it perfect for lunch, a crowd-pleasing side, or even as a light dinner with your favorite crusty bread. Get ready to have a new favorite in your salad lineup!

Ingredients You’ll Need
Every element in this Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad plays a crucial part in delivering its bright flavors and irresistible texture. You don’t need many ingredients, but it’s the quality and combination that makes each bite memorable.
- Mixed greens: Spring mix, arugula, or spinach provide a refreshing, tender base for all the toppings.
- Apples: Use crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for a sweet-tart crunch that livens up every forkful.
- Blue cheese: Creamy and bold, it brings a rich tang that pairs perfectly with the fruit and nuts.
- Walnuts: Toasting these releases their natural oils, giving deeper flavor and extra crunch.
- Dried cranberries (optional): For a pop of chewy sweetness that brightens the salad even more.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for a sharp bite and a splash of color.
- Olive oil: The smooth, fruity backbone of your vinaigrette.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds tanginess and enhances the apple’s flavor; red wine vinegar works, too.
- Dijon mustard: Makes the dressing creamy and adds subtle spice.
- Honey or maple syrup: A hint of sweetness to balance the acidity.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for tying all the flavors together just right.
How to Make Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad
Step 1: Toast the Walnuts
Begin by warming a small skillet over medium heat. Add your walnuts, stirring often to ensure they toast evenly and don’t burn. After about 3–4 minutes, once you smell that delicious nutty aroma and spot a little golden color, take them off the heat and let them cool. This small step packs in so much extra flavor!
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, and a good pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the mixture looks creamy and well-blended. The dressing should taste bright and just slightly sweet — adjust seasoning to your preference.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
Grab a large bowl and layer in the mixed greens. Top with thinly sliced apples, crumbled blue cheese, cooled toasted walnuts, dried cranberries (if using), and red onion. The variety of colors already looks so inviting!
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Drizzle your homemade vinaigrette all over the ingredients. Toss everything gently — enough to coat, but not so much that you bruise the apples or greens. Everything should be glistening, with pockets of cheese and nuts peeking through.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
This Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad is at its very best when served right away, keeping every component at peak freshness and crunch. Get ready to dig in and enjoy the irresistible flavors!
How to Serve Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad

Garnishes
If you want every plate to feel a little extra special, sprinkle a handful of microgreens or fresh herbs like parsley on top. A little more crumbled blue cheese or an extra drizzle of dressing can also brighten both the look and taste. Some people love to add a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper for a subtle kick!
Side Dishes
This salad is fantastic as a stand-alone star or paired with other dishes. Serve alongside roasted chicken, grilled fish, or a warm bowl of soup for a satisfying dinner. Toothsome whole-grain bread or artisan crackers are always welcome partners, soaking up any bit of leftover vinaigrette.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, try plating the Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad in individual bowls or cups for easy serving. Layer it in jars for picnics, or even turn it into bite-size appetizers by stacking ingredients on crostini. If you want to go bold, set up a salad board with all the components separated, letting guests assemble their perfect bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. If you anticipate leftovers, keep the dressing separate and toss right before serving to avoid soggy greens. Apples will hold up better if they’ve been tossed in a little lemon juice.
Freezing
Salads like this aren’t freezer-friendly, as freezing fresh greens and apples turns them mushy upon thawing. The best approach is to prep ingredients in advance and assemble when ready to eat rather than storing in the freezer.
Reheating
This salad shines at room temperature or chilled; it’s not meant to be reheated. If you need to revive the flavors, simply add a fresh splash of dressing and maybe a few extra toasted walnuts or fresh apple slices before serving again.
FAQs
Can I use a different cheese instead of blue cheese?
Absolutely! Goat cheese crumbles or feta both bring a wonderful creaminess and tang if you prefer milder flavors. Just adjust the quantity to your liking so the cheese doesn’t overpower the delicate balance.
What apples are best for Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad?
Firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji are ideal. Their crunchy texture and high juiciness keep the salad lively, and their sweet-tart notes complement both the blue cheese and the walnuts beautifully.
Can I make the salad ahead of time?
You can prep most ingredients in advance, like washing greens, slicing onions, and toasting walnuts. Wait to slice apples and toss everything with dressing until just before serving to keep things vibrant and fresh. A splash of lemon juice on the apple slices helps prevent browning.
Is this Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad gluten-free?
Yes! Every ingredient in this salad is naturally gluten-free, making it a perfect option for those with wheat sensitivities or anyone on a gluten-free diet. Just double-check your labels, especially on store-bought crumbled blue cheese and mustard.
How can I make it vegan?
To make a vegan version, swap out the blue cheese for your favorite plant-based cheese alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing. The result will be just as delightful and flavorful!
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to elevate your salad game, you owe it to yourself to try this Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad. It’s a straightforward recipe that’s bursting with flavor, color, and personality. Give it a try—you’ll be surprised at how often you’ll find yourself craving it!
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Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
A crisp and refreshing salad made with crunchy apples, toasted walnuts, creamy blue cheese, and mixed greens. Tossed with a simple vinaigrette, it’s perfect as a side or light main dish.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens (spring mix, arugula, or spinach)
- 2 apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- ½ cup toasted walnuts
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (optional)
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small skillet, toast walnuts over medium heat until fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Let cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, apple slices, blue cheese, walnuts, cranberries, and red onion.
- Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Swap walnuts for pecans for a sweeter crunch.
- Use pears instead of apples for a variation.
- Best served right after assembling to keep apples crisp—toss slices in lemon juice if prepping ahead.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (to toast nuts)
- Category: Salad / Side Dish
- Method: Tossed / Assembled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg