Ina Garten’s Apple Salad Recipe with Crisp, Fresh Flavor

Crisp, tangy, and bursting with flavor, this ina garten apple salad transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Fresh produce dances with creamy dressings, creating a symphony of textures that delight the palate.

Bright ingredients mingle together, offering a refreshing twist on traditional salad combinations.

The recipe balances sweet and savory notes with remarkable precision, making each bite a delightful experience.

Nutritious components blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal that feels both indulgent and wholesome.

Simple yet sophisticated techniques elevate this salad from ordinary to extraordinary, showcasing the magic of thoughtful preparation.

Unexpected flavor combinations will intrigue your taste buds and inspire your next kitchen adventure:

Creative Variations on Classic Apple Salad

• Autumn Harvest Salad: Swap spinach with kale, add roasted butternut squash cubes, and sprinkle pumpkin seeds for a seasonal spin.
• Mediterranean Inspired Salad: Replace walnuts with toasted pine nuts, add crumbled feta cheese, and incorporate dried cranberries for a Mediterranean flair.
• Protein-Packed Version: Include grilled chicken strips, substitute regular yogurt with Greek yogurt, and add chopped almonds for extra protein and crunch.
• Spicy Southwest Salad: Mix in diced jalapeños, replace cheddar with pepper jack cheese, and add black beans for a southwestern kick.

Recap of the Apple Salad’s Refreshing Appeal

Crisp apple slices dance with crunchy walnuts in Ina Garten’s signature salad, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Garden-fresh ingredients mingle with tangy yogurt dressing, elevating this simple recipe into a culinary masterpiece.

Mediterranean-inspired notes of lemon and creamy mayonnaise balance the sweet raisins and sharp cheddar cheese.

Spinach leaves provide a nutritious foundation for this delightful dish that promises to impress at any gathering.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this salad reflects Garten’s elegant cooking style with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Savor each bite, share this recipe with friends, double-tap if you love it, and drop a comment celebrating this delicious dish that brings pure joy to your table.

Why You’ll Love Ina’s Crisp and Bright Apple Salad

• Celebrate Fresh Crunch: This salad delivers a symphony of textures with crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and tender spinach leaves that create an exciting bite in every forkful.
• Quick and Effortless Preparation: Whip up this delightful dish in mere minutes with simple whisking and tossing techniques, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated steps.
• Balanced Flavor Explosion: The creamy yogurt-based dressing perfectly complements the sweet raisins, tangy red onions, and sharp cheddar cheese, offering a harmonious blend of tastes that dance across your palate.
• Nutritious Powerhouse Salad: Packed with fresh vegetables, protein-rich nuts, and calcium-packed cheese, this recipe provides a wholesome meal that nourishes your body while satisfying your taste buds with its vibrant and refreshing profile.

Apple Salad Ingredients You’ll Want to Have

• Yogurt: Creamy base that adds tanginess and smooth texture to the dressing.
• Mayonnaise: Provides richness and helps bind the dressing ingredients.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, fresh flavor that adds acidity and balances the creamy elements.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dressing.

• Spinach: Fresh, nutrient-rich leafy green as the salad base.
• Celery: Crisp vegetable that adds crunch and light flavor.
• Red Onion: Sharp, colorful ingredient that provides a zesty bite.
• Apple Slices: Sweet and crisp fruit that brings freshness and texture to the salad.

• Raisins: Sweet, chewy dried fruit that adds a touch of natural sweetness.
• Walnuts: Crunchy nut that provides healthy fats and nutty flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, tangy cheese that adds a savory topping to the salad.

How to Toss Together a Fresh Apple Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Dressing

• Yogurt
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking until smooth and well blended. Set the dressing aside to let the flavors mingle.

Step 2: Chop Fresh Salad Ingredients

• Spinach leaves
• Celery stalks
• Red onion
• Raisins
• Walnuts
• Crisp apples

Slice and dice all ingredients into bite-sized pieces, creating a colorful and crunchy base for the salad.

Step 3: Combine Salad Components

Gently transfer all chopped ingredients into a large salad bowl, ensuring an even distribution of textures and flavors.

Step 4: Dress the Salad

Drizzle the prepared creamy dressing over the salad ingredients, using a light hand to coat everything evenly.

Step 5: Toss with Care

Carefully mix the salad components, ensuring each piece gets a light coating of the tangy dressing.

Step 6: Finish with Cheese

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top just before serving, adding a rich and creamy final touch to this delightful harvest salad.

Tips for Balancing Tart and Sweet Apples

• Prevent Apple Oxidation: Quickly dunk sliced apples in a mixture of water and lemon juice to stop browning and maintain their vibrant color.
• Customize Nut Crunch: Swap walnuts with toasted pecans or sliced almonds for a personalized texture and flavor profile that suits your taste.
• Boost Dressing Creaminess: Blend Greek yogurt into the dressing for a tangy, smooth consistency that adds richness without excess calories.
• Enhance Salad Temperature: Serve the salad slightly chilled to keep the spinach crisp and highlight the fresh apple and dressing flavors.
• Spice Up the Dressing: Sprinkle a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to create a subtle warmth that complements the sweet apple notes.

Best Storage Advice for Apple Salad

• Crisp Container Method: Transfer the apple salad to a sealed glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Prevent moisture and odor absorption by using a clear, clean container that allows you to see the salad's freshness.
• Quick Consumption Strategy: Enjoy the salad within 24-36 hours for optimal taste and texture. Consume earlier to maintain the crunchiness of apples and the vibrancy of other ingredients.
• Separation Technique: Keep wet and dry ingredients separate until serving time. Store dressing in a small jar, crisp apples in one compartment, and mixed greens in another to prevent sogginess and preserve the salad's original delightful crunch.

Ina Garten Apple Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s apple salad combines crisp Granny Smith apples with creamy blue cheese and toasted walnuts. Sweet and tangy flavors dance together, inviting you to savor each refreshing bite of this classic autumn-inspired dish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups baby spinach, rinsed and spin dried
• 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced

Nuts and Dried Fruits:

• ½ cup walnuts, or pecans, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup raisins

Dressing and Cheese:

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• ⅓ cup cheddar, shredded
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly combine plain yogurt, mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice (30 milliliters or 1 fluid ounces), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Whisk the ingredients vigorously until the dressing achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
3. Allow the prepared dressing to rest at room temperature, enabling the flavors to meld together.
4. In a spacious salad bowl, layer crisp baby spinach leaves, finely chopped celery stalks, thinly sliced red onion, sweet golden raisins, roughly chopped raw walnuts, and thinly julienned crisp apple slices.
5. Slowly cascade the prepared yogurt dressing over the salad ingredients, ensuring even distribution.
6. Using two large salad servers or spoons, gently fold and toss the ingredients, coating each component with the creamy dressing without bruising the delicate spinach leaves.
7. Immediately prior to serving, generously sprinkle freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese over the top, allowing the cheese to slightly melt from the salad’s residual moisture.

Notes

• Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for varying levels of tartness and crunch.
• Master the art of candying walnuts by toasting them with a light sugar coating for enhanced flavor and texture.
• Elevate the salad’s protein content by adding grilled chicken or crispy tofu for a more substantial meal.
• Storing leftovers works best in an airtight container, keeping dressing separate to maintain the salad’s freshness.
• Impress guests by preparing ingredients ahead of time and assembling the salad just before serving for maximum visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 233
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 182 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 8 mg