Print

Fresh Apple Salad Recipe: Easy Homemade with Grapes, Pecans, and Cranberries

Fresh Apple Salad - featured image
Print Recipe

This Fresh Apple Salad combines crisp apples, juicy grapes, crunchy pecans, and chewy dried cranberries tossed in a bright lemon-honey dressing. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for brunches, picnics, or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large apples (about 10.5 oz; Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith; skin on)
  • 1 cup seedless grapes (red or green, halved)
  • 1/2 cup pecans (roughly chopped, toasted optional)
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup celery (thinly sliced, optional)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin or neutral)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (optional, for creamy version)
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional, crumbled)
  • Fresh herbs (mint or parsley, optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry apples. Slice into quarters, remove core, and cut into thin bite-sized pieces (about 1/4-inch thick). Leave skin on for color and fiber.
  2. Halve grapes lengthwise using a sharp knife.
  3. Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey, olive oil, and a pinch of salt until emulsified.
  5. Place apple slices, halved grapes, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and celery (if using) in a large mixing bowl.
  6. Drizzle dressing over the salad ingredients.
  7. Gently toss with a large spoon or tongs until evenly coated.
  8. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness as desired. For creamy version, fold in Greek yogurt or sprinkle with feta cheese.
  9. Transfer to serving bowl or plate. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
  10. Serve immediately for best crunch and freshness.

Notes

For nut allergies, substitute pecans with roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Use maple syrup for a vegan dressing. Chill salad for 30 minutes for extra crispness. Dress just before serving to keep nuts crunchy. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; keep nuts separate for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple salad, fruit salad, healthy salad, picnic salad, gluten-free, vegetarian, easy salad, holiday side, brunch recipe, pecan salad, grape salad, cranberry salad

Find it online: https://avabake.com/fresh-apple-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-with-grapes-pecans-and-cranberries/