Fresh & Tangy Apple Salad Recipe: A Crisp Summer Delight

Crisp autumn days call for a refreshing apple salad that brings vibrant flavors and textures to the table.

Chopped apples dance with creamy dressing, creating a delightful blend of sweet and tangy notes.

Crunchy nuts add a perfect counterpoint to the soft apple pieces.

You’ll love how simple ingredients come together in this quick and easy recipe.

The salad offers a bright, fresh approach to classic side dishes.

Each bite promises a burst of natural sweetness and satisfying crunch.

Prepare to enjoy a delicious combination that celebrates the best of seasonal produce.

What Makes Apple Salad So Refreshing

• Whip Up Quickly: Super easy recipe that requires minimal cooking skills, perfect for beginners or busy home cooks wanting a delicious side dish.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Fusion: Combines sweet and tangy elements with crisp apples, crunchy pecans, and juicy grapes, creating a delightful taste experience for all ages.
• Versatile Serving Option: Ideal for potlucks, picnics, holiday gatherings, or as a refreshing lunch accompaniment that impresses guests without complicated preparation.
• Nutrient-Packed Delight: Packed with fresh fruits and nuts, offering a healthy twist on traditional salads while delivering excellent texture and nutritional benefits.

What Goes into This Fresh Apple Salad

• Apples: Crisp and sweet base for the salad.
• Grapes: Juicy little flavor bombs.
• Cranberries: Tart and vibrant bursts of color.

• Celery: Adds a fresh and crisp element.
• Pecans: Nutty and satisfying crunch.

• Mayonnaise, Brown Sugar: Creamy and sweet coating.
• Lemon Juice: Bright flavor and prevents apple browning.

Quick Directions for Making Apple Salad

Step 1: Wash and Chop Fruits

Clean the apples thoroughly under running water.

Core and dice the apples into bite-sized cubes.

Place the diced apples in a large mixing bowl and immediately drizzle with fresh lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.

Gently toss the apples to ensure even coating.

Step 2: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Brown sugar

Whisk the ingredients until they form a smooth, consistent mixture with no sugar granules remaining.

Step 3: Build Flavor Profile

• Chopped celery
• Halved grapes
• Chopped pecans
• Dried cranberries

Stir all ingredients until each piece is completely coated with the sweet, creamy dressing.

Step 4: Chill and Marinate

Cover the salad with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and develop.

The cooling time helps the ingredients meld together and enhances the overall taste of the salad.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the salad from the refrigerator just before serving.

Give it a quick stir and transfer to a serving dish.

Enjoy the crisp, sweet, and tangy apple salad as a refreshing side dish or light dessert.

Tips for the Perfect Apple Salad

• Quickly coat chopped apples in lemon juice to maintain their fresh, crisp appearance and stop oxidation.
• Modify brown sugar quantity based on apple tartness and personal preference for a perfectly balanced dressing.
• Swap pecans with almonds or walnuts for different crunch and nutty flavor profiles.
• Add Greek yogurt to the dressing for extra protein and a tangy twist, making the salad more nutritious.
• Prepare the salad up to 4 hours in advance, keeping it chilled to enhance flavor melding and convenience.

How to Keep Apple Salad Fresh Longer

• Store leftover apple salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the salad cold to maintain its crisp texture and prevent fruit from browning.
• Do not freeze this salad, as mayonnaise-based dressings and fresh fruits will separate and lose their original texture when thawed.
• Before serving leftovers, gently stir the salad and add a small splash of lemon juice to revive the fruits' brightness and prevent browning.
• Check for any signs of spoilage like off-smell or unusual texture before consuming. When in doubt, throw it out to ensure food safety.

Ideal Pairings for Apple Salad

• Savor Crisp White Wine Pairing: A chilled Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the sweet and tangy apple salad, enhancing its fruity notes and light dressing.
• Crunch with Chardonnay Match: Unoaked Chardonnay balances the creamy mayonnaise and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the salad's nutty pecan texture.
• Elevate with Sparkling Delight: A light prosecco or champagne cuts through the richness of the dressing, adding a festive touch and cleansing the palate between bites.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Chicken: The apple salad's sweet and savory profile makes it an ideal side dish for herb-roasted chicken, creating a harmonious meal combination.

Flavor Combos and Ideas for Apple Salad

• Vegan Delight: Replace mayonnaise with vegan yogurt or cashew cream. Swap pecans for sunflower seeds and use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Use tamari instead of traditional soy-based dressings and verify pecans are processed in a gluten-free facility.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Reduce grapes and cranberries. Increase nuts and add diced cucumber for volume. Use a sugar-free sweetener to replace brown sugar and cut back on fruit content.
• Tropical Remix: Substitute some apples with fresh mango chunks. Add toasted coconut flakes and replace pecans with macadamia nuts for a Hawaiian-inspired variation.

FAQs

• Is this salad healthy?

Yes, it contains nutritious ingredients like apples, celery, and pecans. The fruits provide vitamins, and nuts offer healthy fats and protein.

• Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work great as substitutes and provide similar crunch and nutritional benefits.

• How long can the apple salad stay fresh in the refrigerator?

The salad stays fresh for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before serving.

• Is this recipe good for vegetarians?

Yes, this apple salad is completely vegetarian-friendly and can be enjoyed by those following a vegetarian diet.

Apple Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crisp apple salad brings together sweet and tangy flavors for a refreshing culinary journey. Crunchy apples, zesty dressing, and surprising ingredients create a delightful dish you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 Honeycrisp apples, cubed
• 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
• 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced

Nuts and Dried Fruits:

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 lemon, juiced

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Peel and core the crisp apples, then dice them into uniform bite-sized cubes, immediately drizzling fresh lemon juice over the pieces to preserve their vibrant color and prevent oxidation.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, vigorously whisk the creamy mayonnaise with rich brown sugar until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy dressing with a harmonious sweet-tangy profile.
3. Introduce the diced apples, finely chopped crisp celery, whole juicy grapes, toasted crunchy pecans, and tart dried cranberries into the dressing-coated bowl.
4. Gently fold and toss all ingredients using a silicone spatula, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly and evenly enrobed with the luscious dressing.
5. Seal the salad with a tight-fitting lid or protective wrap, then nestle it in the refrigerator’s cool embrace for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the complex flavors to intertwine and develop a more refined taste experience.
6. Prior to serving, give the salad a final gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and reinvigorate the ingredients, presenting a chilled, vibrant, and texturally dynamic dish.

Notes

• Prevent apple browning quickly by using fresh lemon juice, which helps maintain their crisp white color and adds a slight tangy flavor.
• Customize the salad by swapping pecans with walnuts or almonds for different texture and nutritional profiles, perfect for nut lovers or those with specific dietary preferences.
• Enhance the salad’s freshness by chopping ingredients just before mixing to maintain maximum crunch and prevent soggy textures during chilling.
• Make the dish lighter by substituting mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, reducing calories while maintaining a creamy consistency and adding extra protein.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 5mg