A fresh, vibrant salad is one of the easiest ways to add color and flavor to your meals. This Apple Salad with Creamy Apple Cider Dressing is crisp, tangy, and just a little bit creamy, making it a great balance of flavors and textures. It’s simple enough for a weekday lunch but elegant enough to serve at a gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors – The sweetness of apples pairs beautifully with the tangy, creamy apple cider dressing.
- Crunchy and Creamy – Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy pumpkin seeds offer a textural contrast against the creamy goat cheese.
- Nutritious and Satisfying – Loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats, this salad is as nourishing as it is delicious.
- Versatile and Easy to Make – Great on its own or served as a side with grilled chicken, fish, or a warm grain bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Salad:
- Romaine lettuce – Crisp and refreshing, this sturdy green provides the perfect base for the salad.
- Cherry tomatoes – Juicy and slightly sweet, they add a burst of flavor and color.
- Mini bell peppers – Their natural sweetness and crunch complement the other ingredients beautifully.
- Apple – Thinly sliced for a crisp, sweet contrast to the tangy dressing and creamy cheese.
- Goat cheese – Soft and tangy, it melts slightly into the dressing, adding a creamy texture. Mozzarella can be used for a milder flavor.
- Pumpkin seeds – A satisfying crunch and a boost of healthy fats and protein.
- Hemp seeds (optional) – Nutty and nutrient-dense, they add a delicate texture and extra nourishment.
For the Apple Cider Dressing:
- Apple cider vinegar – The key ingredient for a tangy, slightly sweet depth of flavor.
- Dijon mustard – Helps emulsify the dressing while adding a subtle sharpness.
- Sour cream – Creates a creamy consistency that balances the acidity.
- Honey – A touch of sweetness to round out the flavors.
- Herbs de Provence – A fragrant blend of dried herbs that adds complexity.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Brings richness and helps bind the dressing together.
- Salt and pepper – Essential seasonings to enhance the overall taste.
How to Make Apple Salad
Step 1: Make the Dressing
- Combine ingredients for the dressing into a small mason jar and give it a good shake until it has emulsified.
- Alternatively, you can add all the ingredients minus the olive oil into a bowl and whisk until well combined.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil with one hand while continuing to whisk with the other until the dressing has emulsified.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
- Add the chopped romaine to a large salad bowl and drizzle with just enough dressing to lightly coat the leaves. Toss gently.
- Layer on the cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, apples, pumpkin seeds, and hemp seeds.
- Add the crumbled goat cheese on top.
- Drizzle with a little more dressing just before serving.
Tips for the Best Salad
- Use a crisp, cold apple – Honeycrisp or Fuji apples work well for a sweet, crunchy bite. I also recommend refrigerating your apple so it is nice and cold.
- Make it ahead – Prep the dressing in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Customize it – Add grilled chicken for extra protein, or swap goat cheese for feta for a saltier contrast.
Serving Suggestions
-
This salad is great on its own but pairs well with:
- Grilled or roasted chicken
- Seared salmon
- A side of warm quinoa or farro
- Grilled sausages: In keeping with the apple theme, I like to serve this salad with Chicken & Apple Sausages from Costco (see how I did that here).
More Delicious Salads to Try
If you love this salad, you might also enjoy these fresh and flavorful options:
- Apple Pomegranate Salad with Balsamic Dressing
- Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing
- Carrot Salad
- Caprese Salad
Make This Apple Salad Tonight!
Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a colorful side dish, or a festive salad for a holiday table, this Apple Salad with Creamy Apple Cider Dressing is a simple but flavorful option that’s easy to love. Give it a try tonight and let me know how it goes!
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Apple Salad with Creamy Apple Cider Dressing
This crisp and flavorful Apple Salad with Creamy Apple Cider Dressing is fresh, tangy, and slightly creamy. Perfect for a light lunch or side dish!
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 15
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
FOR THE SALAD
4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
6 oz cherry tomatoes, sliced
2 mini bell peppers, thinly sliced
1 medium apple, thinly sliced
1/4 cup of goat cheese, torn into bite-size pieces (you can use any soft, mild cheese like mozzarella)
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
2 tsp hemp seeds* (optional)
FOR THE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR DRESSING
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard
3 tbsp sour cream
1.5 tbsp honey
1/8 tsp Herbs de Provence
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
MAKE THE SALAD DRESSING
1. Combine ingredients for the dressing into a small mason jar and give it a good shake until it has emulsified. Alternatively, you can add all the ingredients minus the olive oil into a bowl and whisk until well combined. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil with one hand while continuing to whisk with the other until the dressing has emulsified.
ASSEMBLE THE SALAD
2. To a large salad bowl, lay the lettuce and drizzle with enough of the dressing to coat the lettuce leaves. Give it a toss then add the additional toppings: bell peppers, tomatoes, apples, pumpkin seeds, and hemp seeds.
Notes
If making this salad ahead, prepare the dressing in a small jar to drizzle and mix right before serving.
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