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Apple Arugula Salad

Apple arugula salad with a lemon honey vinaigrette—peppery arugula topped with crisp apple slices, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and shaved Parmesan. Quick toss method keeps the apples bright and the greens lightly coated.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apple Arugula Salad
  • 6 cup baby arugula Use fresh, rinsed and well-dried greens for less watery salad.
  • 2 crisp apples, thinly sliced Slice thinly so they stay crisp and distribute evenly.
  • 0.5 cup walnuts, toasted Toast until fragrant for better crunch.
  • 0.33 cup shaved Parmesan Shave fresh for best texture.
  • 0.25 cup dried cranberries Sweet-tart bursts in every bite.
  • 0.25 cup olive oil Extra-virgin olive oil for a fuller vinaigrette flavor.
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice Fresh lemon juice recommended.
  • 1 tbsp honey Helps balance the Dijon’s sharpness.
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard Emulsifies the vinaigrette.
  • 0.1 salt and pepper to taste Season to your preference.

Method
 

Make the lemon honey vinaigrette
  1. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified, about 30 to 45 seconds.
  2. Toss apple slices with a spoonful of the dressing until lightly coated to prevent browning, about 1 minute.
Assemble and finish
  1. Add baby arugula to a large bowl and top with the coated apple slices, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries.
  2. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and toss gently until everything is lightly coated, 30 to 45 seconds.
  3. Top with shaved Parmesan and serve immediately so the greens stay crisp.

Notes

Pro tip: thinly slice the apples and coat them right away with a spoonful of dressing to keep them from browning. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 1 day; the arugula may soften, but flavor stays good. Freezing is not recommended. For a dairy-free swap, use finely chopped toasted nuts or a plant-based Parmesan alternative to keep a savory finish.