Cozy Autumn Apple Salad Recipe: A Fresh Fall Delight

Crisp leaves dance across sidewalks while autumn golden light whispers promises of comforting autumn apple salad recipe moments.

Sweet and tangy flavors merge in a delightful culinary symphony that captures seasonal magic.

Juicy apples mingle with crunchy nuts and delicate greens, creating a vibrant plate of pure delight.

Each bite tells a story of harvest abundance and rustic charm.

Colorful ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a refreshing twist on classic salad traditions.

The combination of textures and flavors will awaken your taste buds and invite you to savor every delectable forkful.

Gather your ingredients and let this salad become your new autumn favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 7

Autumn Apple Salad – All the Ingredients Needed

• Apples: Crisp and sweet foundation of the salad, choose firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best texture and flavor contrast.
• Celery: Adds delightful crunch and fresh herbal notes, select bright green stalks with minimal blemishes.
• Grapes: Provide juicy bursts of sweetness, opt for seedless varieties for easy eating.

• Pecans: Bring rich, buttery depth and satisfying crunch, toast lightly to intensify nutty flavor.
• Cranberries: Deliver tart pop and vibrant color, dried varieties work best for concentrated sweetness.

• Mayonnaise: Creates creamy, smooth binding sauce that connects all ingredients.
• Brown Sugar: Adds warm, caramel-like sweetness and balances tangy elements.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and introduces bright, zesty undertone.

Kitchen Tools for Making Autumn Apple Salad

• Large bowl: Perfect for mixing all ingredients together.
• Whisk: Essential for blending mayonnaise and brown sugar smoothly.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping apples, celery, and pecans.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise and clean ingredient preparation.
• Measuring cup: Helps ensure accurate ingredient amounts.
• Measuring spoons: Useful for precise sugar and lemon juice measurements.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for stirring and coating ingredients evenly.

Instructions to Toss Together Autumn Apple Salad

• Fresh Apple Medley

A crisp and colorful salad that celebrates the bounty of autumn, bringing together sweet and tangy flavors in one delightful dish.

• Creamy Coating

Blend a smooth, rich dressing that will lovingly embrace each ingredient, creating a harmonious mix of textures and tastes.

• Fruit and Nut Symphony

Combine juicy apples, crunchy celery, burst-in-your-mouth grapes, toasted pecans, and tart cranberries for a vibrant salad that dances on your palate.

• Flavor Fusion

Let the salad rest in the refrigerator, allowing the ingredients to mingle and develop a deeper, more complex flavor profile that will surprise and delight your taste buds.

Tips for Making Autumn Apple Salad Fresh and Crunchy

• Quickly coat freshly cut apple pieces in lemon juice to maintain their crisp, white appearance and prevent oxidation.
• Swap pecans with walnuts, almonds, or toasted sunflower seeds for a different crunch and flavor profile that suits your taste preferences.
• Prepare the salad up to 24 hours in advance, keeping it tightly covered in the refrigerator to develop deeper, more integrated flavors.
• Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lower-calorie alternative that adds extra protein to the dish.
• Sprinkle chopped mint or basil just before serving to introduce a bright, fresh element that complements the sweet and creamy base.

Presentation Ideas for Autumn Apple Salad

• Pair with Crisp Crackers: Serve alongside buttery, crisp crackers that add a delightful crunch and complement the salad's creamy texture.
• Elevate with Cheese Plate: Arrange the salad next to a selection of mild cheeses like brie or gouda, creating a balanced and elegant appetizer spread.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh mint or parsley on top to add a bright, aromatic touch that enhances the salad's natural sweetness.
• Enjoy as Side Dish: Perfect accompaniment to roasted chicken, grilled pork, or as a light lunch when served on a bed of mixed greens.

How to Store Autumn Apple Salad Without Wilting

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator within 2 hours of preparation to maintain freshness and food safety.
• Maintain Crispness: Keep pecans separate until serving to prevent them from becoming soggy, adding them just before enjoying for maximum crunch.
• Extend Freshness: Consume the salad within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture, as apples and celery tend to lose their crisp quality over time.
• Prevent Browning: If preparing in advance, toss apple cubes with extra lemon juice to slow down oxidation and keep the fruit looking bright and appetizing.

Crisp Apple Harvest Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Seasonal ingredients blend harmoniously in this classic autumn apple salad featuring crisp apples, toasted pecans, and tangy blue cheese. Delightful simplicity highlights fresh flavors you’ll savor with each satisfying bite.

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Ingredients

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• 4 apples (Honeycrisp, large, cubed)
• 1 cup grapes (seedless red, halved)
• 2 ribs celery (thinly sliced)
• ½ cup pecans (chopped)
• ½ cup cranberries (dried)
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 1.5 tbsps brown sugar
• 1 lemon (juice)

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Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Protect apple cubes from browning by gently coating with lemon juice, ensuring each piece maintains a vibrant, crisp appearance.
2. Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth, creating a creamy and sweet base that will bind the salad components together.
3. Combine and Coat: Gently fold chopped celery, halved grapes, pecans, and dried cranberries into the lemon-kissed apples, thoroughly mixing to ensure every ingredient is evenly dressed with the rich, sweet dressing.
4. Chill and Marinate: Refrigerate the salad in a sealed container for at least 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, transforming individual ingredients into a harmonious autumn-inspired dish.

Notes

• Prevent Browning: Drizzle fresh lemon juice over apple cubes to stop oxidation and maintain a vibrant, fresh appearance.
• Dressing Technique: Whisk mayonnaise and brown sugar thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy base that coats ingredients evenly.
• Mix Gently: Fold ingredients carefully to distribute dressing without crushing delicate fruits and maintaining the salad’s texture.
• Chill for Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to blend and enhance overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg