Apple Salad Recipe: Fresh & Crunchy Side Dish (Print Version)

Apple Salad Recipe - A vibrant, crisp side dish with sweet apples, pecans, and a tangy dressing. Quick to make and a total crowd-pleaser for any meal!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free (check mayo)

# Ingredients:

→ Crisp Base & Fruit

01 - 2 large crisp apples (like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), cored and chopped
02 - 2 stalks celery, finely diced
03 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for apples, plus more for dressing)

→ Creamy Dressing

04 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise (good quality, please!)
05 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
06 - 1-2 tsp honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
07 - 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
08 - 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
09 - 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

→ Crunchy Add-ins

10 - 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

→ Optional Flavor Boosters

11 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins
12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
13 - A pinch of cinnamon (for a fall twist)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, grab your apples! Give them a good wash, core them, and then chop them into bite-sized pieces. I like mine about half an inch, but you do you. Toss them immediately with a splash of that fresh lemon juice to keep them from turning brown – it’s a little kitchen hack I picked up after many sad, oxidized apple experiences. Then, finely dice your celery. The crisp snap of the apple and the fresh scent of celery, ahh, it just makes me smile. This is where I always forget to grab a big enough mixing bowl, so learn from my chaos!
02 - Next, let's get those pecans toasty! Spread your chopped pecans in a single layer on a dry skillet over medium heat. Keep an eye on them, honestly, they can go from perfectly golden to burnt bits in a flash. Stir them frequently for about 3-5 minutes until they smell wonderfully nutty and are lightly browned. The aroma of toasting nuts is just amazing, it fills the whole kitchen! I burnt a batch once because I walked away to check my phone, big mistake. Let them cool completely before adding them to the salad.
03 - Now for the magic! In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, the remaining lemon juice, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk it until it’s super smooth and creamy. Taste it! This is your chance to adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your liking. Sometimes I add a tiny bit more honey if my apples are on the tarter side. I forgot the mustard once, and it was just... flat, so don't skip it!
04 - In your large mixing bowl (the one you hopefully remembered this time!), combine the chopped apples, diced celery, and cooled toasted pecans. Pour the creamy dressing over the top. Now, gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated. You want to be gentle here; we’re aiming for a lovely, uniform coating, not bruised apples. See those vibrant colors? It's already looking so fresh and inviting! Over-mixing can bruise the apples, and nobody wants that.
05 - This is a crucial step for this Apple Salad Recipe, honestly. Cover the bowl and pop it into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time allows all those wonderful flavors to meld together and for the salad to get nice and cold. The anticipation is real! I've definitely served it immediately before, and while it was good, it just didn't have that 'oomph' that chilling provides. Give it a little time; it's worth it, I promise.
06 - Once chilled, give your Apple Salad Recipe one last gentle stir. Taste it again and add any final adjustments to salt or pepper if needed. Transfer it to a pretty serving bowl if you're feeling fancy, or just dig right in! I love to sprinkle a few extra toasted pecans on top for garnish – why not, right? It just looks so fresh and inviting, and that first bite of crisp apple and creamy dressing? Pure bliss.

# Notes:

01 - Don't chop the apples too far ahead, they get sad. A little lemon juice helps!
02 - This Apple Salad Recipe is best fresh, but leftovers are decent for a day if kept airtight. The crunch factor does mellow out, to be real.
03 - Walnuts work great instead of pecans, or even some toasted almonds if that's what's lurking in your pantry.
04 - Serve it chilled, maybe in a pretty glass bowl. It just looks happier that way.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Cutting board
02 - sharp knife
03 - mixing bowls
04 - whisk
05 - skillet

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 250 kcal
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 2g

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