Apple salad with feta and walnuts is refreshing and delicious no matter what season it is. Also make a great option for a quick lunch or side dish!
This is our favorite autumn salad recipe to make with fresh crisp apples we pick up from the local orchard.
It’s not only good for the fall season but has become a year-round favorite in our house. Throw in some walnuts and toss it with apple feta salad dressing for the perfect lunch or side dish.
This would also make a great salad to bring to a potluck by doubling or tripling the recipe to serve a crowd.
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Why You’ll Love This Fall Harvest Salad
- Easy tossed salad recipe using simple ingredients.
The flavor combination is amazing with the perfect amount of crunch from the apples and crisp from the salad. - A great way to use up apples during apple season.
- Easy to customize and add your favorite ingredients.
- Can be made ahead of time for meal prep or potlucks.
Apple Feta Salad Ingredients & Substitutions
For the Salad
- Salad: I used a pre-packaged spring mix, but you can use other types of fresh greens such as arugula or spinach.
- Apples: I used a Granny Smith apple for its tartness and a red delicious apple for the sweetness, but any crisp apple variety would work well.
- Walnuts: Chopped into pieces but you can also use pecans or almonds.
- Feta cheese: Traditional crumbled feta cheese is what I used but you can also use goat cheese or blue cheese for a different flavor.
For the Dressing
- Oil: I used extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor, but any type of olive oil would work.
- Vinegar: I used a mild white wine vinegar, but you can also use apple cider vinegar for a slightly sweeter taste.
- Seasonings: Stone ground mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried parsley, onion powder, black pepper and salt.
How to Make Apple Feta Salad
Slice the apples thinly.
Add the salad ingredients to a large serving bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the salad dressing until well blended.
Pour the salad dressing into the bowl of salad and toss together to coat evenly.
Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Customizing the Salad
- Switch up the type of apples you use – try using crisp Granny Smith apples for a tart flavor or sweet Honeycrisp apples for a juicy sweetness.
- Swap walnuts for pecans for added crunch and richness.
- For a bit of sweetness, drizzle some honey over the salad before serving.
- Try different dressings like balsamic vinaigrette or honey mustard to change up the flavor of the salad.
- Mix in additional ingredients like dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds for extra pops of flavor and color.
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. The apples may soften over time.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
- For a light lunch, toss with some grilled chicken for a protein-packed meal.
- If you’re hosting a summer BBQ, serve this salad alongside grilled meats and vegetables for a refreshing side dish.
- To create a balanced meal, add some quinoa or couscous to the apple feta salad for an extra dose of fiber and nutrients.
FAQs
Can I use different types of apples in this salad?
Yes, feel free to use your favorite variety of apple in this recipe. Crisp and slightly sweet apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp also work well in this recipe, but you can experiment with different types to suit your taste preferences.
Is there a substitute for feta cheese?
If you’re not a fan of feta cheese, you can try substituting it with goat cheese or blue cheese for a similar tangy flavor profile or just eliminate it all together.
What dressing pairs well with this apple feta salad?
A simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard or honey complements the flavors of this salad beautifully.
More Salad Recipes
- Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad
- Grinder Salad
- Catalina Taco Salad
- Berry Chicken Salad
- Chef Salad in a Jar
Recipe
Apple Feta Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 cups spring mix salad
- 1 green apple sliced or diced
- 1 red apple sliced or diced
- 1 cup walnut pieces
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
For the Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons stone ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon dried parsley
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Slice the apples thinly.
- Add the salad ingredients to a large serving bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the salad dressing until well blended.
- Pour the salad dressing into the bowl of salad and toss together to coat evenly.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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