Cranberry apple salad is a colorful fall-inspired dish made with crisp apples, dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, cheese, and a tangy maple-Dijon dressing. It is easy enough for a weeknight meal and festive enough for Thanksgiving.

About This Cranberry Apple Salad

Sweet and savory flavors

Apples and cranberries provide sweetness and tartness, while walnuts and cheese add savory contrast.

A holiday-friendly salad

The seasonal colors pair well with turkey, chicken, pork, and vegetarian mains.

Fresh versus dried cranberries

This recipe uses dried cranberries. Fresh cranberries are tarter and need separate preparation.

Choose crisp apples

Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith apples hold their shape well.

Cranberry Apple Salad Ingredients

Greens and fruit

Mixed greens, apples, and dried cranberries create the fresh base.

Walnuts and cheese

Toast walnuts for deeper flavor. Feta is mild; blue cheese is stronger.

Maple-Dijon dressing

Maple syrup balances vinegar and mustard, while olive oil gives the dressing body.

Substitutions

Use pecans, goat cheese, pears, chickpeas, or grilled chicken.

How to Make Cranberry Apple Salad

Prepare the ingredients

Wash and dry greens, slice apples, chop walnuts, and crumble cheese.

Make the dressing

Whisk olive oil, maple syrup, vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Assemble the salad

Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl.

Dress just before serving

Toss gently immediately before serving to keep the greens crisp.

Serving, Storage, and FAQs

Prevent apple browning

Toss apples with a little lemon juice.

Toast the nuts

Toast walnuts in a dry skillet for 3–5 minutes and cool before adding.

Make it ahead

Store the dressing and toppings separately, then assemble before serving.

Store leftovers

Dressed salad is best eaten the same day. Store undressed components separately.

Can I use fresh cranberries? Yes, but they need sweetening or cooking first.