
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!
- 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.
- Assemble the salad. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the arugula, chopped apple, feta, and sliced almonds.
- Add the maple dressing. Drizzle the maple dressing over the salad and toss one more time.
- 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

Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
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
For the Maple Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- salt and pepper, to taste
For the Salad
- 6 cups baby arugula
- 1 large apple, chopped into bite sized pieces (honeycrisp, fuji, or gala are best)
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the maple vinaigrette. In a small jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and shake gently until combined. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad. In a large mixing bowl, add arugula, chopped apples, sliced almonds, feta or goat cheese, and maple vinaigrette. Toss to combine.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
This salad is best served immediately to prevent the arugula from getting soggy and the apples from turning brown.
To prepare ahead of time, toss the chopped apples with a squeeze of lemon juice. Add the vinaigrette just before serving.
Leave a Reply