Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Vinaigrette Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Apple Arugula Salad featuring peppery arugula, crisp apples, crunchy almonds, and creamy goat cheese, all tossed in a sweet and tangy maple vinaigrette. This light, easy-to-make salad balances flavors and textures perfectly, making it an ideal starter or side dish for any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Maple Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Salad
- 6 cups baby arugula
- 1 large apple, chopped into bite sized pieces (honeycrisp, fuji, or gala are best)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the maple vinaigrette: In a small jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and dijon mustard. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Cover the jar and shake gently until all ingredients are well combined and emulsified. Set aside to let flavors meld.
- Assemble the salad: Place the baby arugula in a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped apples, sliced almonds, and crumbled goat cheese. Pour the maple vinaigrette over the salad ingredients.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss all the salad components together ensuring the dressing evenly coats each leaf and ingredient. Transfer to serving plates and enjoy immediately for maximum freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala for the best texture and flavor contrast.
- Toasting the sliced almonds lightly enhances their crunch and nutty flavor.
- For a vegan version, substitute goat cheese with a plant-based cheese or omit it entirely.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the apples and arugula.
- You can prepare the vinaigrette ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: apple arugula salad, maple vinaigrette, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, fall salad, goat cheese salad, almond salad
