Apple Walnut Salad

Updated: July 2026

This easy apple walnut salad is one of those recipes that proves simple really can be delicious. Crisp apples, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, mature Cheddar and walnuts are all brought together with a quick wholegrain mustard dressing that's tangy enough to tie everything together without stealing the show.

Ready in just 10 minutes, it's perfect for an easy lunch, a colourful side for a barbecue or packed up for a picnic. It's fresh, full of texture and one of those salads that always seems to disappear faster than you'd expect.

If you've only ever paired apples with blue cheese, give mature Cheddar a try. The sweet apples and sharp cheese are a brilliant combination, while the walnuts add just the right amount of crunch.

Why You'll Love This Apple Walnut Salad

• Ready in just 10 minutes.
• No cooking required.
• Fresh, crunchy and packed with flavour.
• Perfect for lunches, picnics and barbecues.
• Easy to make ahead for entertaining.
• Simple to adapt with different cheeses, fruit or nuts.

Apple Walnut Salad Ingredients

One of the best things about this salad is that it uses everyday ingredients that are easy to find all year round.

Mixed Salad Leaves

A bag of mixed leaves is perfect here, but don't worry if you only have one variety. Baby spinach, rocket, little gem or watercress all work beautifully.

Apples

Choose apples that are crisp and firm rather than soft or floury. Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jazz and Gala are all excellent choices, while Granny Smith gives the salad a slightly sharper flavour.

Celery

Celery adds a lovely fresh crunch that balances the richness of the cheese and walnuts. Slice it fairly thinly so every bite gets a little bit.

Grapes

Red or green grapes both work well. Slice them in half before adding them to the salad so they're easier to eat and the juices mingle with the dressing.

Walnuts

Walnuts bring plenty of crunch and a lovely earthy flavour. If you have a couple of extra minutes, lightly toasting them really brings out their nuttiness.

Mature Cheddar

A good mature Cheddar is what makes this salad so special. Its sharp, savoury flavour works perfectly with the sweetness of the apples and grapes.

Wholegrain Mustard Dressing

The dressing couldn't be easier.

Made with olive oil, white wine vinegar, wholegrain mustard and a pinch of sea salt, it's light enough to let the fresh ingredients shine while adding just the right amount of zing.

Ingredients

• 80g mixed salad leaves
• 3 celery sticks, sliced
• 2 red apples, cored and sliced
• 40g grapes, halved
• 30g walnuts
• 100g mature Cheddar cheese, cubed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
• Pinch of sea salt

How to Make Apple Walnut Salad

You only need about 10 minutes to make this salad, making it ideal for busy weekdays or when you need a quick side dish at the last minute.

Step 1 – Prepare the Salad

Spread the mixed salad leaves over a large serving platter or divide them between two serving plates.

Step 2 – Add the Toppings

Scatter over the sliced celery, apple slices, halved grapes, walnuts and cubed mature Cheddar. Try to spread everything out evenly so you get a little of every ingredient in each serving.

Step 3 – Make the Dressing

Add the olive oil, white wine vinegar, wholegrain mustard and a pinch of sea salt to a small bowl. Whisk together with a fork until the dressing is smooth and combined.

Step 4 – Dress and Serve

Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.

Serve straight away while the apples are crisp, the leaves are fresh and the walnuts still have plenty of crunch.

💛 Daisies & Pie Tips

Use crisp apples. Firm apples such as Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jazz or Gala give the salad the best texture and stay lovely and crunchy.

Dress the salad just before serving. The dressing only takes a minute to whisk together and keeps the salad leaves crisp rather than soggy.

Toast the walnuts if you have time. Just 2 to 3 minutes in a dry frying pan brings out their nutty flavour and makes them even crunchier.

Choose a mature Cheddar. A mature or extra mature Cheddar gives the salad far more flavour and balances the sweetness of the apples and grapes beautifully.

Slice the apples last. Apples naturally brown once they're exposed to the air, so slicing them just before serving keeps the salad looking its best.

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Easy Variations

One of the best things about this apple walnut salad is how easy it is to make your own using whatever you've got in the fridge.

Swap the cheese

Try using:

• Blue cheese
• Stilton
• Goat's cheese
• Feta
• Red Leicester
• Brie

Each one gives the salad a completely different flavour while still working beautifully with the apples and walnuts.

Add some protein

To turn this into a more filling lunch or light dinner, add:

• Cooked chicken
• Crispy bacon
• Roast turkey
• Ham

Leftover roast chicken works particularly well and is a great way to use up leftovers.

Swap the walnuts

No walnuts? No problem.

Try:

• Pecans
• Toasted almonds
• Hazelnuts
• Pumpkin seeds for a nut-free alternative

Add extra crunch

If you love plenty of texture, try adding:

• Cucumber
• Radishes
• Little Gem lettuce
• Thinly sliced fennel
• Red onion

Make it sweeter

A handful of dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds adds another layer of sweetness and colour.

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What to Serve with Apple Walnut Salad

This salad is wonderfully versatile and works just as well as a light lunch as it does as a side dish.

Serve it with warm crusty bread for an easy lunch, alongside homemade tomato soup on cooler days or as part of a summer barbecue with grilled chicken, burgers or sausages.

It's also delicious with a baked potato, quiche or slices of cold roast chicken for a simple family meal.

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Make Ahead & Storage

This salad is best assembled just before serving, but you can easily get ahead if you're making it for a picnic, barbecue or lunchbox.

Wash and dry the salad leaves, slice the celery, halve the grapes, cube the Cheddar and whisk together the dressing. Store everything separately in the fridge.

Slice the apples just before serving, then toss everything together with the dressing for the freshest flavour and crunch.

If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 24 hours. If possible, store the dressing separately to help keep the salad leaves fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use green apples instead of red apples?

Yes. Green apples work well and give the salad a slightly sharper flavour. Granny Smith apples are a good choice if you prefer a more tart contrast with the mature Cheddar and sweet grapes.

Can I make apple walnut salad without grapes?

Yes. Simply leave the grapes out or replace them with sliced pear, dried cranberries or a few pomegranate seeds. The salad will still have plenty of sweetness from the apples.

Can I use cider vinegar instead of white wine vinegar?

Yes. Apple cider vinegar is a particularly good substitute because its fruity flavour works beautifully with the apples and walnuts. Use the same quantity as the white wine vinegar.

Can I use grated Cheddar instead of cubed Cheddar?

Yes, although cubed Cheddar gives the salad a chunkier texture and a stronger burst of flavour in each bite. Coarsely grated or crumbled Cheddar will still work if that is what you have available.

Can I use bagged salad leaves?

Absolutely. A bag of mixed salad leaves makes this recipe even quicker. Baby spinach, rocket, watercress, Little Gem or a mixed leaf salad all work well.

How many people does this apple walnut salad serve?

The recipe serves two people as a light lunch. It will serve around four people when offered as a side dish alongside a barbecue, buffet or larger meal.

Can I take apple walnut salad to a picnic?

Yes. Pack the prepared ingredients and dressing separately in chilled containers, then add the dressing just before serving. Slice the apples shortly before leaving or toss them with a small squeeze of lemon juice to help prevent browning.

How do I stop apple walnut salad going soggy?

Dry the salad leaves thoroughly and keep the dressing separate until you are ready to eat. Adding the dressing at the last minute keeps the leaves crisp and stops liquid collecting at the bottom of the bowl.

Can I serve apple walnut salad at a buffet?

Yes. Arrange the salad on a large serving platter and add the dressing shortly before the buffet begins. For a larger group, double or triple the ingredient quantities as needed.

What can I use instead of wholegrain mustard?

Dijon mustard is the best alternative and will create a smoother dressing with a slightly sharper flavour. Start with a little less, taste the dressing and add more if needed.