[Foodie Friday Recipe] Crunchy Apple-Celery Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette
Celebrate crisp fall fruits & veggies with this fresh & flavorful apple-celery salad recipe!
Looking for a fresh, flavorful salad that celebrates the flavors of fall with simple, wholesome ingredients? This Crunchy Apple-Celery Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette is an easy way to add a refreshing twist to your meals!
Combining crisp apples, crunchy celery, sweet dried cranberries, and toasted pecans, this colorful salad delivers a delicious balance of sweet and savory flavors. A homemade Maple-Dijon vinaigrette brings everything together with just the right touch of sweetness and tanginess, while shaved Parmesan adds a savory finish.
Best of all, this salad comes together in about 15 minutes, making it a great choice for busy weeknights, quick lunches, or a light side dish for your favorite entrée!
Why You’ll Love This Fresh Apple-Celery Salad
This recipe is a wonderful reminder that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. A handful of fresh, flavorful ingredients can create something both satisfying and delicious.
Here’s what makes this salad worth adding to your recipe collection:
- Fresh, crunchy goodness: Crisp apples and celery provide plenty of refreshing texture in every bite.
- Naturally sweet flavor: Dried cranberries and real maple syrup add sweetness without relying on refined sugar in the dressing.
- Healthy fats: Pecans and extra virgin olive oil contribute unsaturated fats to this flavorful combination.
- A homemade dressing: The simple Maple-Dijon vinaigrette is easy to prepare and lets you control the sweetness and tanginess.
- Versatile and convenient: Enjoy it on its own for a light meal or serve it alongside chicken, fish, roasted vegetables, or your favorite plant-forward entrée.
Ready to Try It?
With its crisp texture, sweet-tart fruit, toasted nuts, and tangy homemade dressing, this Apple-Celery Salad is a simple way to bring more variety to your everyday meals.
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing lunch, a seasonal side dish, or a new way to enjoy fresh produce, this recipe is worth a try!
Make the full recipe below and enjoy a fresh, crunchy salad that’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious.
Crunchy Apple-Celery Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: <5 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. Dijon Mustard**
- 2 TB. real maple syrup
- 2 TB. red wine vinegar
- 2 TB. extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
**For a tangier dressing, add 1-2 additional teaspoons of Dijon mustard
Salad Ingredients:
- ¼ c. pecans, roughly chopped, divided
- 6 large celery stalks (preferably organic), sliced
- Celery leaves (from stalks), roughly chopped*
- 1 large red apple, chopped
- ¼ c. dried cranberries
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 TB. Parmesan cheese, shaved
Directions:
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Prepare the vinaigrette by adding all ingredients to a salad shaker or jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover and shake vigorously to combine. Set aside.
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Add chopped pecans to a small dry skillet set over medium heat. Heat for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until toasted. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Add celery, apples, celery leaves, cranberries, and three tablespoons toasted pecans to a large salad bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Drizzle the vinaigrette on top and toss to combine.
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To serve, divide the salad onto chilled salad plates and top with remaining toasted pecans and shaved Parmesan cheese.
Tips for Choosing the Best Apples
Pink Lady apples are featured in this recipe, and their crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor work beautifully here. If you can’t find them, Fuji, Jazz, and Honeycrisp apples are excellent alternatives.
For the best results, choose a firm apple that holds its shape when chopped. To help prevent browning, toss the apple pieces with a little fresh lemon juice before adding them to the salad.
Simple Tips for the Best Results
Toast the pecans. Don’t skip this quick step! Toasting the pecans in a dry skillet for a few minutes brings out their rich, nutty flavor and adds extra depth to the finished salad.
Adjust the vinaigrette to your taste. If you prefer a less-sweet dressing, add another teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard. You can also adjust the salt and black pepper to suit your preferences.
Don’t discard the celery leaves. Roughly chopped celery leaves add another layer of fresh, savory flavor while helping reduce kitchen waste.
Make extra for later. The flavors can develop as the salad sits, making it tempting to prepare a larger batch. For the best texture and appearance, however, consider storing the dressing separately and adding it just before serving. If you plan to keep leftovers, refrigerate them promptly in an airtight container and use them within a few days.
