Cranberry Walnut Salad Fresh (Printable Format)
A crisp blend of greens, cranberries, walnuts, and creamy goat cheese dressed in balsamic vinaigrette.
# What You Need:
→ Salad
01 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (baby spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
02 - 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
03 - ½ cup dried cranberries
04 - ½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
05 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, crumbled
06 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Dressing
07 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tsp honey
11 - Salt, to taste
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large bowl, toss together the mixed greens, halved grapes, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, crumbled goat cheese, and thinly sliced red onion.
02 - Whisk extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl or jar until well emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad immediately before serving and toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients.
04 - Present the salad fresh for optimal texture and flavor.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It combines tart, crunchy, and creamy elements like a little secret dance on your taste buds
- The simplicity makes it a go-to for both quick lunches and festive dinner sides
02 -
- Toasting walnuts lightly in a dry pan before adding gives the salad a deeper, nutty flavor that’s hard to beat
- Mixing the dressing right before serving keeps the greens from wilting and maintains brightness
03 -
- Experiment with different nuts like pecans or almonds for a personal twist
- The secret to a luscious salad lies in balancing acidity and sweetness perfectly in the dressing