Seasonal Cranberry Walnut Salad (Printable)

Fresh mixed greens combined with cranberries, toasted walnuts, and a bright orange dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
02 - 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
03 - 1 cup toasted walnut halves
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced
06 - 3.5 oz crumbled goat cheese or feta

→ Orange Vinaigrette

07 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
08 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
11 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a large salad bowl, mix the greens, cranberries, toasted walnuts, sliced red onion, and apple slices until evenly distributed.
02 - Whisk together orange juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey in a small bowl or jar. Gradually whisk in olive oil until dressing emulsifies. Season with salt and pepper.
03 - Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese or feta over the salad just before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than most people can set the table, yet looks like you planned it for days.
  • The cranberries add a tart pop that cuts through rich holiday meals without feeling heavy.
  • You can swap nearly every ingredient based on what you have, and it still turns out beautifully.
02 -
  • Do not dress the salad until the moment you serve it, or the greens will wilt and lose their snap.
  • Toast the walnuts until they smell nutty and just start to darken, one minute too long and they turn bitter.
  • If using dried cranberries, soak them in warm water for five minutes to plump them up and prevent chewiness.
03 -
  • Use a salad spinner to dry the greens completely, wet leaves will dilute the dressing and make everything soggy.
  • Slice the onion paper-thin and soak it in ice water for ten minutes to take the harsh edge off.
  • Add a small pinch of orange zest to the vinaigrette for an extra layer of brightness that people will notice but cannot quite name.
Go Back