Crunchy Celery Apple Salad (Print)

Crisp celery and apples combine with toasted walnuts and creamy feta in a refreshing salad.

# Components:

→ Vegetables & Fruit

01 - 4 celery stalks, thinly sliced
02 - 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and thinly sliced
03 - 2 cups mixed salad greens

→ Nuts & Cheese

04 - 1/2 cup walnut halves
05 - 3 oz feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon honey
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Place walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and golden. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - In a large bowl, combine celery, apples, and mixed salad greens. Drizzle with prepared vinaigrette and toss gently to evenly coat all components.
04 - Sprinkle toasted walnuts and crumbled feta cheese over the salad. Gently toss again or arrange toppings as preferred.
05 - Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while components retain optimal texture and temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between crisp celery, tender apple, creamy feta, and nutty walnuts makes every bite feel intentional and satisfying.
  • It comes together in 20 minutes flat, yet looks like you spent your morning in the kitchen.
  • The vinaigrette clings to everything without making the salad soggy, a detail that matters more than it sounds.
02 -
  • Slice your apples just before assembling the salad and toss them gently with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning; this tiny step keeps everything looking fresh and beautiful.
  • Don't dress the salad more than a few minutes before eating, or the delicate greens will wilt and the apple slices will start to soften.
03 -
  • Toast your walnuts while you're prepping the vegetables; it saves a step and they'll be perfectly cooled by the time you need them.
  • Use a mandoline or very sharp knife to get those paper-thin apple and celery slices that make this salad feel special rather than just thrown together.
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