Ina Garten’s Zesty Apple Symphony: A Garden-Fresh Salad Recipe

Crisp autumn days call for a delightful twist on classic salads with Ina Garten’s apple salad that bursts with unexpected flavors.

Fresh ingredients dance together in a symphony of textures and tastes.

Sweet and tangy notes weave through each carefully selected component.

Apples provide a vibrant crunch that makes this recipe truly special.

The combination of simple yet elegant ingredients promises a memorable side dish for any meal.

Seasonal produce shines in this masterful creation that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll love how effortlessly this salad comes together, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 4

What’s Inside Ina Garten’s Apple Salad

• Yogurt: Creamy foundation that adds tangy richness and smooth texture to the dressing.
• Mayonnaise: Provides silky consistency and helps bind the dressing ingredients.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, zesty element that balances flavors and prevents apple browning.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and elevate the overall taste profile.

• Spinach: Nutrient-packed leafy green that creates a vibrant salad base.
• Celery: Crisp vegetable adding delightful crunch and subtle peppery notes.
• Red Onion: Sharp, colorful ingredient that introduces a mild spicy kick.
• Apple Slices: Sweet, juicy component that brings refreshing and seasonal character.

• Raisins: Chewy, sweet dried fruit that provides delightful bursts of natural sweetness.
• Walnuts: Hearty, crunchy nuts delivering rich, earthy undertones and healthy fats.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, tangy topping that introduces creamy, savory complexity to the salad.

Tools to Chop, Dress & Toss the Perfect Apple Dish

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dressing ingredients and tossing salad.
• Whisk: Essential for blending yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper smoothly.
• Cutting board: Great for slicing apples, celery, and red onion.
• Sharp knife: Helps chop ingredients with precision.
• Salad bowl: Spacious container for mixing all salad components.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning with salt and pepper.

How to Build This Crisp Salad Step by Step

• Creamy Dressing Blend

Combine tangy yogurt with smooth mayonnaise in a mixing bowl. Squeeze fresh lemon juice and sprinkle a hint of salt and pepper. Whisk until the mixture transforms into a silky, zesty sauce that will make your taste buds dance.

• Crisp Ingredient Preparation

Chop vibrant spinach leaves into delicate pieces. Slice crunchy celery and red onion into thin, elegant strips. Add sweet raisins and hearty walnuts for a delightful texture contrast. Cut crisp apples into delicate half-moons that will add a refreshing crunch.

• Salad Assembly

Toss all the chopped ingredients together in a large bowl. Drizzle the creamy dressing over the salad, ensuring every morsel gets a luxurious coating. Gently mix everything so each bite offers a perfect balance of flavors.

• Final Touch

Just before serving, sprinkle a generous handful of sharp cheddar cheese on top. The cheese will melt slightly, creating a rich, indulgent finish that elevates this simple salad into a culinary masterpiece.

Add Nuts, Cheese, or Vinaigrette for Variety

• Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream or buttermilk to create a tangier, richer base that adds depth to the salad's flavor profile.
• Sprinkle grilled chicken strips or crumbled bacon on top to transform this side dish into a hearty main course perfect for lunch or dinner.
• Replace apples with pears during autumn or use mandarin oranges in winter for a fresh twist that keeps the salad interesting throughout the year.
• Mix in toasted pecans or sunflower seeds instead of walnuts to provide different textures and nutty undertones that complement the crisp apple slices.
• Prepare the dressing and chop ingredients separately up to 24 hours in advance, storing them in airtight containers to streamline meal preparation and maintain freshness.

Serving Ideas from Picnic to Holiday Table

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice a warm baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up the creamy dressing and add a delightful crunch alongside the salad.
• Serve as Light Lunch: Transform this refreshing salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken or sliced turkey breast for extra protein.
• Create Elegant Presentation: Arrange the salad on a beautiful platter, garnish with extra chopped walnuts, and sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a sophisticated touch.
• Pack for Picnic Perfection: This salad travels well in a sealed container, making it an ideal choice for outdoor meals, lunch boxes, or potluck gatherings.

How to Keep Apples from Browning Post-Prep

• Store Smartly: Keep the salad dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Prep Ahead: Chop apples and other vegetables just before serving to prevent browning and maintain crisp textures. If preparing in advance, store cut ingredients separately.
• Serve Fresh: Best enjoyed immediately after mixing to maintain the crunch of walnuts and the vibrant texture of spinach leaves. Avoid letting the salad sit too long with dressing.
• Refrigerate Carefully: Store any leftover salad without cheese in a sealed container for up to 24 hours. Add cheese just before serving to prevent sogginess and maintain optimal taste and texture.

Crisp Ina Garten Apple Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s crisp apple salad blends sweet and tangy flavors with fresh ingredients. Crunchy apple slices and a zesty dressing create a delightful side dish you’ll savor at any gathering.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups (946 ml) baby spinach, rinsed and spin dried
• 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• ¼ cup (59 ml) red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup (118 ml) walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup (59 ml) raisins
• ½ cup (118 ml) Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) mayonnaise
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• ⅓ cup (79 ml) cheddar, shredded
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk together yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until achieving a silky, uniform texture. Let the mixture rest briefly to allow flavor harmonization.
2. Salad Assembly: In a spacious bowl, artfully layer baby spinach, celery, red onion, golden raisins, walnuts, and julienned apple slices, creating a vibrant and textural foundation.
3. Dressing Integration: Drizzle the prepared yogurt dressing over the salad ingredients, using gentle folding techniques to ensure each component is delicately coated without crushing the tender spinach leaves.
4. Final Garnish: Immediately before serving, crown the salad with freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, allowing the residual warmth to subtly melt the cheese and enhance the overall flavor profile.

Notes

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Slice apples last to prevent browning, using lemon juice as a natural preservative.
• Texture Balance: Chop ingredients uniformly for consistent flavor and mouthfeel in every bite.
• Dressing Tip: Let dressing sit for 10-15 minutes to enhance flavor complexity and ingredient integration.
• Cheese Selection: Choose aged sharp cheddar for maximum flavor punch and optimal melting properties.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg