Apple Citrus Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

This apple salad is a perfect side dish to prepare this holiday season! It comes with a tangy maple dijon dressing and is loaded with fresh mandarin orange slices, habanero cheese, and pumpkin seeds. Not only does this salad burst with fresh and vibrant flavours, but it’s also incredibly versatile. So, add this quick salad to your rotation of quick and easy meal recipes!

• Arugula: Any good salad starts with the base, so choose fresh, leafy arugula.
• Apples: I love Ambrosia apples in my salad. They are perfectly sweet and slightly tart. The best part is that they don’t brown easily, so your salad stays fresh and appealing.
• Oranges: You might think adding more fruits to a salad is bizarre, but thinly sliced mandarin oranges are a fantastic way to add a pop of colour and acidity. If you do not like oranges, feel free to substitute them for peaches or grapefruit.
• Onions: I absolutely love the taste of red onions in salads, but if you prefer white onions, those work great too!
• Tomato: While this recipe calls for Roma tomatoes, cherry tomatoes can be used.
• Cheese: Isn’t it true that the best part of a salad is the cheese?! I have to admit, I’ve been caught picking off the cheese from salads in the past, leaving the rest of the salad behind. For this particular salad, I went with shaved pieces of habanero, but you can totally mix it up with feta cheese, jalapeno, or even a sharp cheddar. Trust me, they’re all just as delicious!
• Pumpkin seeds: The best part of any salad is the crunch factor and adding some pumpkin seeds does exactly that. You can choose to lightly toast the pumpkin seeds in a frying pan or the oven. The best part of adding pumpkin seeds to this salad is that they are rich in vitamins and minerals.

• Extra virgin olive oil: A solid vinaigrette requires high-quality olive oil.
• Red wine vinegar: Adds acidity but you can use balsamic vinegar instead.
• Dijon: This ingredient is crucial due to its tangy taste and you can use regular or whole-grain dijon mustard.
• Maple syrup: To offset the acidity, maple syrup helps to add a slight sweetness and balances the overall flavour. The maple syrup can be substituted with honey or any sweetener of choice.
• Garlic powder: I prefer garlic powder over grated garlic since it incorporates much better into the dressing. However, if you choose to add fresh garlic use about 1 to 2 cloves.
• Parsley: Fresh or dried parsley adds a touch of colour.
• Salt and pepper: Helps balance out the vinaigrette.

Assemble salad: In a large bowl, add arugula, onions, apples, oranges, tomatoes, cheese and pumpkin seeds.

Prepare vinaigrette: Combine extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon, maple syrup, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper in a mason jar or bowl. Shake the jar or stir to combine. Pour the dressing right before serving to avoid a soggy salad. (Pro tip – keep the dressing in a mason jar for easy cleanup and any extra dressing can be stored in the jar).

• Salad base: Substitute arugula for romaine lettuce or spinach.
• Toppings: Roasted sweet potatoes would pair really well in this recipe, especially with the tangy vinaigrette. Additional toppings like pomegranates, toasted walnuts, candied pecans, sliced oranges can be added.
• Protein: Add roasted chicken or prosciutto.
• Dairy: Cubed mozzarella cheese, shaved parmesan or aged cheddar.

To make a completely vegetarian-friendly meal, serve this harvest apple salad alongside air fryer paneer skewers and honey roasted carrots for an ultimate cozy and satisfying dinner.

Fall Apple Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing

This easy apple salad is paired with a tangy maple dijon dressing and it is the perfect side dish to prepare alongside any meal.

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Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

Maple Dijon Dressing

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• salt and pepper (to taste)

Harvest Apple Salad

• 4 cups arugula
• 2 apples (thinly sliced)
• 1 mandarin orange (thinly sliced)
• 1 medium tomato (sliced)
• half medium red onion (sliced)
• 1/2 cup shaved habanero cheese
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

Instructions

 

• Assemble the salad: In a serving bowl, combine the arugula, apples, mandarin oranges, tomatoes and onions. Gently toss the ingredients together.
  4 cups arugula, 2 apples (thinly sliced), 1 mandarin orange (thinly sliced), 1 medium tomato (sliced), half medium red onion (sliced)
• Prepare the dressing: Combine extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon, maple syrup, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt and pepper in a mason jar. Shake the jar until the ingredients are blended.
  1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard, 2 tablespoon maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, salt and pepper (to taste), 1/2 cup shaved habanero cheese, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• Pour about 1/3 of the dressing over the salad, and layer the pumpkin seeds, and shaved habanero over the salad. Serve the remaining dressing on the side.

Notes

• Storage: The dressing will last up to 8 days if left refrigerated.

Keyword Apple Salad, Harvest Apple salad, Maple Dijon Dressing, Salad with apples