Description

Looking for a refreshing, quick, and healthy dish that’s ready in minutes? This Apple Salad is a crisp, colorful, and delicious option that combines sweet apples, crunchy celery, tangy cranberries, toasted pecans, and a creamy yogurt dressing. Whether you’re planning light lunch ideas, searching for holiday side dishes, or want easy food ideas with no cooking required, this easy recipe has you covered. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or pairing with your favorite proteins—this apple salad is a must-have in your recipe rotation.

Ingredients

2 Honeycrisp apples

1 Granny Smith apple

2 stalks celery

1⁄2 cup dried cranberries

1⁄2 cup pecans

1⁄2 cup Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Wash, core, and dice the apples into bite-sized cubes. Toss them immediately with lemon juice to prevent browning.

2. Thinly slice the celery and set aside.

3. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Let them cool and chop coarsely.

4. In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Adjust taste as needed.

5. In a large bowl, combine apples, celery, cranberries, and pecans. Pour the dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated.

6. Chill the salad for 30 minutes if time allows, or serve immediately for a fresh crunch.

Notes

Use a mix of sweet and tart apples to add depth of flavor and natural balance.

Always toss apples in lemon juice immediately after chopping to prevent browning.

Toasting the pecans is optional but adds a rich, nutty flavor that elevates the whole dish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 210
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 5mg

Keywords: apple salad, easy salad recipe, healthy lunch ideas, quick side dishes, picnic salad, no-cook meals