If you’re looking for the perfect way to capture the bright, crisp essence of fall on your plate, look no further than this delightful apple salad with Honeycrisp apples, celery, grapes, pecans, and dried cranberries. This salad is a spectacular medley of sweet, tart, crunchy, and creamy, with every bite offering a new surprise. The natural juiciness of the apples mingles beautifully with the slightly chewy tang of the dried cranberries, creating a harmony that’s as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds. It’s easy to throw together but impressive every time, and it may just become your new go-to for picnics, potlucks, or easy weeknight meals.

and Dried Cranberries Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things simple, yet every single ingredient has its own pivotal role to play. Think of it like an orchestra: from juicy fruit to crunchy nuts, each note helps create a truly memorable salad experience.

Honeycrisp apples: Their exceptional crispness and well-balanced flavor make them ideal for a fresh salad—no sogginess here!
Red seedless grapes: These add bright, juicy pops of sweetness throughout the dish.
Celery: For that unmistakable, refreshing crunch and a gentle, savory undertone that grounds the salad.
Dried cranberries: A must for a bit of tart chewiness and gorgeous color—plus, they echo classic fall flavors.
Pecans: Add richness, nutty crunch, and toasting them briefly unlocks extra depth.
Greek yogurt: Adds tangy creaminess and a lighter feel compared to traditional salad dressings.
Mayonnaise: Gives the dressing a smooth and silky texture without overpowering the other flavors.
Honey: A drizzle ties it all together with subtle sweetness and warmth.
Lemon juice: Keeps the apples from browning while adding a bright splash of acidity.
Salt: Just a pinch sharpens and brings together every element in the salad.

How to Make and Dried Cranberries

Step 1: Prep the Produce

Start by coring and chopping the Honeycrisp apples into bite-sized cubes. Halve your grapes and slice the celery into sturdy little crescents. If you want to prevent the apples from browning, toss them with the lemon juice right away. This first step is all about building layers of crisp, sweet, and refreshing flavors for the base of your salad.

Step 2: Toast the Pecans (Optional)

If you’re after maximum flavor, take a couple of extra minutes to toast your pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until they’re golden and fragrant. This step isn’t mandatory but the rich aroma and flavor payoff are absolutely worth it. Let them cool before tossing in, so they keep their crunch.

Step 3: Combine the Fruits, Celery, Pecans, and Dried Cranberries

Add the prepared apples, grapes, celery, toasted pecans, and, of course, the vibrant dried cranberries to a large mixing bowl. Give everything a gentle toss so you get an even distribution of both crunchy and chewy bits in every bite. The color already looks amazing at this point!

Step 4: Whisk the Creamy Dressing

In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, and just a pinch of salt. The combination of yogurt and mayonnaise delivers a dreamy creaminess that lightens up the salad while letting the fruit shine. Whisk until you have a silky, glossy dressing without any lumps.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Pour the creamy dressing right over the apple mixture. Now for the fun part: gently toss everything together until all those crisp veggies, sweet fruits, and dried cranberries are beautifully coated. Try not to mash the ingredients—go slow! It already smells fantastic.

Step 6: Chill for Flavor Magic

Cover your bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step lets the flavors blend into one harmonious bite—the apple juices gently mingle with the dressing, and the dried cranberries plump up just a touch. If you’re in a rush, you can serve it right away, but it’s absolutely worth the wait.

How to Serve and Dried Cranberries

Garnishes

This colorful apple salad really shines when finished with a few special touches: sprinkle extra toasted pecans and dried cranberries on top for even more texture and visual appeal. A dusting of fresh chopped parsley or mint is gorgeous if you have some handy—those green flecks set off the ruby red cranberries beautifully.

Side Dishes

This salad plays well with others! It pairs perfectly with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or a simple pan-seared pork chop. If you’re planning a spread, serve it alongside a crusty baguette, a bowl of creamy butternut squash soup, or a juicy roast to round out a cozy meal—adding a bright and dried cranberries accent to your plate.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to make things extra festive, try serving this salad on a bed of crisp lettuce or inside scooped-out apple halves for a fun twist. Tiny glass jars make adorable single-serve portions for picnics or party buffets. For a showstopping centerpiece, heap the salad on a big shallow platter, drizzle with a little extra honey, and scatter even more and dried cranberries across the top.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This salad is a real lifesaver when it comes to meal prep! Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge—it will stay fresh and lively for up to 2 days. The apples might soften a tad but those pecans and dried cranberries will keep things interesting with every bite.

Freezing

While you can freeze some salads, this one tastes best when enjoyed fresh. Freezing may cause the apples and celery to release extra moisture and turn a bit mushy. Likewise, the dressing can separate. For peak texture and flavor, make just what you’ll enjoy over a couple of days.

Reheating

Hot salad? Not here! This crisp and dried cranberries-packed dish is best served cold right from the fridge. Give it a gentle stir before serving in case the dressing has settled, and it will be as delicious as when you first made it.

FAQs

Can I use a different apple variety?

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples add unbeatable crunch and sweetness, feel free to use Fuji, Gala, or your personal favorite—just pick one that’s crisp and not too tart for the best results.

How do I keep the apples from turning brown?

Tossing the apple pieces with lemon juice right after chopping does wonders to keep their color bright, especially when paired with the other fresh and dried cranberries ingredients.

Can I make the salad dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the Greek yogurt for your go-to dairy-free yogurt and use a vegan mayonnaise to make a version suitable for anyone avoiding dairy or eggs. The honey can also be replaced with maple syrup if needed.

What can I use instead of pecans?

Your salad, your rules! Walnuts, chopped almonds, or even sunflower seeds all add their own unique crunch and flavor. Mix and match until you find your perfect blend with apples and dried cranberries.

Is it possible to make this salad ahead for entertaining?

Definitely—this salad is actually even better when the flavors have time to meld. You can assemble everything (except the pecans and a sprinkle of and dried cranberries for garnish) a day in advance, then toss them in just before serving for extra crunch.

Final Thoughts

There’s something effortlessly special about a salad that celebrates the best of every season, and this apple salad with pecans and dried cranberries captures that magic in every single bite. Whether for a cozy fall dinner or a bright spring lunch, I hope you’ll whip up a batch soon and share it with the people you love—it’s simply too good to keep to yourself!

and Dried Cranberries Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 10 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes (plus optional chilling time)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Print Recipe

Description

A delightful mix of sweet and crunchy flavors, this Apple Salad with Honeycrisp Apples, Celery, Grapes, Pecans, and Dried Cranberries is a refreshing and satisfying dish perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

3 large Honeycrisp apples, cored and chopped
1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
¾ cup chopped celery
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup chopped pecans (toasted if desired)

Dressing:

⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, grapes, celery, dried cranberries, and pecans.
Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
Toss and Chill: Pour the dressing over the apple mixture and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

To prevent browning, toss apples in lemon juice before adding other ingredients.
This salad can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
For variation, adjust sweetness with more honey or add sunflower seeds/walnuts for extra crunch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American