Meet your new go-to salad for every season: the Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad. It’s a plateful of irresistible textures and flavors, where crisp apples mingle with luscious Brie, earthy toasted walnuts, and a tangy-sweet honey mustard vinaigrette. Whether you’re entertaining or just craving a vibrant lunch, this salad strikes the perfect balance between fancy and fuss-free. A sprinkle of cranberries and a hint of celery (if you please!) make every bite pop with color and crunch. Here’s how to make this stunning Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad your next favorite dish!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to build layers of taste and texture in the Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad. Each one, from fruit to cheese to nuts, plays a key role in turning this salad from ordinary to unforgettable.
- Mixed greens: A blend of spring mix, arugula, or baby spinach forms the fresh and peppery base of the salad.
- Crisp apple: Choose a Honeycrisp or Fuji for the ideal sweet-tart crunch — slice thin for the prettiest presentation and best texture.
- Brie cheese: Creamy Brie brings a touch of decadence and pairs beautifully with the apple’s crispness.
- Walnuts: Toasted walnuts give the salad a deep, nutty flavor and add satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Dried cranberries (optional): A pop of chewy sweetness and color that elevates the salad’s look and flavor.
- Celery (optional): Thinly sliced celery amps up the refreshing crunch factor (especially nice in warm months).
- Olive oil: The silky base for your tangy homemade dressing.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a fruity, zippy brightness to the dressing.
- Honey: Balances the tartness of the vinegar with delicate sweetness.
- Dijon mustard: Brings gentle heat and depth to every forkful.
- Salt & black pepper: Finish the dressing and the salad with a well-balanced seasoning.
How to Make Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad
Step 1: Prep the Salad Base
Start by adding your mixed greens to a large, wide salad bowl. This forms the fresh canvas for your Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad, making sure every ingredient gets to shine. If you’re using delicate greens, pat them dry well to keep the salad crisp and not soggy.
Step 2: Slice and Arrange the Toppings
Thinly slice the apple, cube or slice the Brie, and toast your walnuts for extra flavor if you haven’t already. Arrange these ingredients, along with optional cranberries and celery, artfully over your bed of greens. The goal is to distribute the color and texture so each serving is as gorgeous as it is delicious.
Step 3: Whisk Up the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the dressing is totally smooth and slightly emulsified — it should coat the back of a spoon. The honey mustard notes will truly bring your Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad together.
Step 4: Dress and Toss the Salad
Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the arranged salad, aiming for every bit to get a glisten of flavor. Gently toss to combine, using soft hands or salad tongs (so the Brie stays in lovely chunks and doesn’t turn to mush). Toss just enough to distribute the dressing but keep the beautiful arrangement.
Step 5: Serve Fresh and Enjoy
Your Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad is at its very best right away, when the apples are at their crispest and the Brie is just cool and creamy. Spoon onto plates or serve family-style at the table, and get ready for instant salad bliss.
How to Serve Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad
Garnishes
Finish your Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad with a sprinkle of extra toasted walnuts, a few more dried cranberries, or even a ribbon of lemon zest for a fresh twist. For a festive dinner or special occasion, consider a touch of microgreens or a drizzle of balsamic glaze to dress things up.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully alongside a crisp baguette, fresh focaccia, or rosemary crackers. For a dinner party, try it as a starter before roast chicken, a cozy soup, or pasta. The flavors work seamlessly with a chilled sauvignon blanc or sparkling water with a squeeze of citrus.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad in individual bowls for an elegant plated appetizer, or arrange it on a big wooden board for a help-yourself “salad board.” For brunch, scoop the salad into endive leaves or pile it onto crostini for chic hors d’oeuvres.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best results, keep the dressing separate and add just before serving, so the greens maintain their crunch and the apples don’t brown too much. It will keep for a day, but the freshest texture is always right after making.
Freezing
This salad isn’t a great candidate for freezing, since the greens and apples can become limp or watery once thawed. However, you can prepare the vinaigrette and toast the walnuts ahead of time, freeze those, and assemble everything fresh when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat this salad! Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad is served chilled or at room temperature to highlight all its fresh elements. If the Brie seems too firm straight from the fridge, let it sit for a minute or two before tossing into the salad.
FAQs
What’s the best type of apple for this salad?
Honeycrisp and Fuji apples are perfect for the Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad thanks to their sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture, but feel free to use Granny Smith for a tangier bite or Pink Lady for a rosy color pop.
Can I swap out the Brie for another cheese?
Absolutely! If you’re not a Brie fan, creamy goat cheese, Camembert, or even blue cheese can bring a different personality to the Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad. The key is to choose something soft and flavorful.
How do I toast walnuts for the salad?
Simply spread walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, stirring once, until fragrant and golden. Let them cool before adding them to your salad to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
Is this salad gluten free?
Yes, Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad is naturally gluten free. Just make sure any added sides or accompaniments are also gluten free if you’re serving guests with dietary restrictions.
Can I make this salad vegan?
You can! Swap the Brie for a creamy plant-based cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing. You’ll still get all the delicious contrast that makes Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad so special.
Final Thoughts
One bite, and you’ll see why the Apple, Brie & Walnut Salad is impossible not to love. It’s quick, gorgeous, and full of crowd-pleasing flavors that never fail to impress—no matter the occasion. Give it a try and watch it become your new signature salad!