Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

It's apple season! This Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Vinaigrette will be your new favorite fall salad. Have it for lunch or as a dinner side, bring it to your next potluck, or even serve it as a healthy Thanksgiving side dish.

Ingredients

Arugula: That slightly bitter and peppery flavor profile of arugula pairs well with fresh apples and maple vinaigrette. If you don't like arugula, you can use whatever greens you like!

Apple: For the best salad texture, choose an apple variety that is nice and crunchy. Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala would all work great in this salad recipe.

Cheese: Crumbled Feta or Goat Cheese will add a creamy element to the arugula salad, and give it some added flavor.

Nuts: Sliced almonds always go well with apples and arugula. You could also substitute pecans or walnuts.

Maple Vinaigrette: Made with extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar (I like Bragg Raw-Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar), pure maple syrup, dijon mustard, salt and pepper. This maple dressing is sweet and tangy!

Step-By-Step Instructions

This Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Vinaigrette comes together in less than 5 minutes. This is a quick and easy recipe!

1. Make the maple vinaigrette. In a small jar add the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, dijon mustard, and salt and pepper (to taste). Shake gently until combined. Set aside.
2. Assemble the salad. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the arugula, chopped apple, feta, and sliced almonds.
3. Add the maple dressing. Drizzle the maple dressing over the salad and toss one more time.
4. Serve. This salad is best served immediately to prevent the arugula from getting soggy and the apples from turning brown.

Variations

Salad Greens: You can substitute the arugula for whatever greens you prefer. Spinach or kale would work great here, however other types of lettuce would also work well.

Cheese: Though feta or goat cheese work best, you could substitute your favorite type of cheese. Other options would be shaved parmesan or shredded cheddar.

Nuts: I prefer sliced almonds, but pecans, hazelnuts, or walnuts would also be delicious!

Fall Salad Add-Ins

You can add in any of the following ingredients for more flavor. Get creative!

• Dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, or apricots)
• Chopped pear
• Pomegranate seeds
• Roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash
• Sliced red onion
• Pepitas, pine nuts or sunflower seeds
• Grilled chicken or steak
• Cooked quinoa
• Croutons

Related Recipes

Here are more salad recipes to enjoy.

• Crunchy Chickpea Mediterranean Salad
• Baked Pear, Blueberry, and Pecan Salad
• Cannellini Bean and Sun Dried Tomato Salad
• Peach Arugula Burrata Salad with Blackberries

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