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Overhead view of Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad with Spinach and Goat Cheese in a white bowl showing fan-shaped apple slices and a honey drizzle.

Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad with Spinach and Goat Cheese

A vibrant, healthy Mediterranean fall salad featuring a bed of fresh baby spinach topped with elegant fan-shaped apple slices, crunchy toasted walnuts, tart dried cranberries, and creamy goat cheese, all finished with an emulsified honey apple cider dressing and a glossy honey drizzle.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad Base
  • 5 –6 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 2 crisp apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji, cored and thinly sliced
  • ½ cup raw walnuts roughly chopped
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
  • 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
For the Sweet Honey Dressing
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon pure honey plus an extra teaspoon to drizzle over the finished salad
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 pinch sea salt to taste
  • 1 pinch cracked black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Toast the Walnuts: Place a small, dry skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped walnuts and toast for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring continuously until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove immediately from the pan to cool.
  2. Whisk the Dressing: In a small glass jar or bowl, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake until completely emulsified.
  3. Assemble the Salad: Arrange a clean bed of fresh baby spinach in a shallow serving bowl. Lay out the thin apple slices in elegant, overlapping fan shapes around the sides. Distribute the toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled goat cheese evenly over the center.
  4. Dress and Serve: Just before serving, drizzle the homemade vinaigrette evenly across the salad. Toss very gently. Finish with a light, artistic drizzle of pure honey over the apple slices and cheese for a gorgeous, glossy presentation.

Notes

  • Make Ahead: Keep dressing, cheese, fruit, and greens in separate containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Assemble right before eating.
  • Oxidation Tip: To keep your fan-shaped apple slices bright and beautiful, toss them lightly in a splash of lemon juice before assembly.
  • Substitution: Authentic Greek feta cheese makes a fantastic, slightly saltier alternative to goat cheese if desired.