Name: Crisp Ina Garten Apple Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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.
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.
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.
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