Cranberry Apple Salad

This cranberry apple salad delivers the kind of sharp, sweet contrast that makes you reach for another forkful before you’ve finished the first. Crisp apples—one tart, one mellow—mingle with peppery greens and salty shreds of Parmesan, while chewy dried cranberries and toasted almonds add pops of sweetness and crunch. The real showstopper is the dressing: Fresh cranberries are blitzed with cider vinegar, apple juice concentrate and a whisper of mustard, then emulsified into a glossy, ruby red vinaigrette that clings to every leaf.

What sets this salad apart is its layered complexity: fruit in three forms (fresh, dried and concentrated), a nutty cheese, buttery almonds, and a dressing that tastes both fruity and savory at once. The cranberries bring mouth-puckering tartness that makes the apples taste sweeter, while the Parmesan’s umami depth keeps things grounded. It’s a bright winter salad recipe that works just as well on a Tuesday night as it does on a holiday table.

Ingredients for Cranberry Apple Salad

• Mixed salad greens: These provide a fresh, crisp base that offers a variety of textures and mild, earthy flavors to balance the sweeter and richer components. The blend of baby lettuces and other tender greens creates visual interest and nutritional diversity. Buy a bag of premixed greens or blend several together yourself.
• Apples: Diced red apples add natural sweetness and a firm, juicy crunch, while green apples bring a sharper, more pronounced tartness that balances the sweeter elements in the salad. Use any red apple variety, like Honeycrisp or Gala.
• Parmesan cheese: Parmesan contributes a savory, umami-rich element that contrasts with the fruit’s sweetness. The salty, nutty flavor adds depth and complexity to every bite. Freshly shredded cheese has more flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
• Dried cranberries: Chewy dried cranberries provide concentrated bursts of tart-sweet flavor throughout the salad. They echo the fresh cranberries in the dressing, creating a cohesive flavor profile.
• Slivered almonds: Toasting nuts enhances their natural nuttiness, creating a satisfying crunch. The almonds add textural contrast and a rich, buttery flavor that complements both the fruit and cheese.
• Fresh cranberries: The star of the dressing, these tart berries create a vibrant, ruby red color and distinctive tangy flavor. Pulsing them releases their juices for the base of the dressing.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar balances the natural tartness of cranberries and helps create a well-rounded flavor profile. It dissolves during blending to ensure smooth integration throughout the dressing.
• Cider vinegar: Cider vinegar provides essential acidity that brightens all the flavors and acts as a preservative for the dressing. Its fruity undertones harmonize beautifully with the apples and cranberries.
• Apple juice concentrate: Concentrated apple juice intensifies the fruity character while adding natural sweetness without excess liquid.
• Salt: A small amount of salt enhances all the other flavors in the dressing, preventing it from tasting one-dimensional.
• Ground mustard: Ground mustard adds a subtle sharpness and helps emulsify the oil and vinegar components, resulting in a smoother texture. Its gentle heat provides depth without overwhelming the fruit flavors.
• Grated onion: Fresh onion contributes a mild pungency and savory note that grounds the sweeter elements. The grated form distributes evenly throughout the dressing without creating chunks.
• Canola oil: This neutral-tasting oil creates the creamy body and smooth mouthfeel characteristic of a vinaigrette while carrying fat-soluble flavors. You can use extra virgin olive oil if desired.

Directions

Step 1: Assemble the salad

In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, apples, almonds, cranberries and Parmesan cheese.

Step 2: Make the dressing

In a blender, add the fresh cranberries, sugar, cider vinegar, apple juice concentrate, salt, ground mustard and grated onion. Cover and pulse until well combined. While processing, gradually add the oil in a steady stream.

Step 3: Dress the salad

Drizzle the desired amount of dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate any leftover dressing.

Cranberry Apple Salad Variations

• Swap the cheese: Try crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese instead of Parmesan for a tangier, creamier flavor profile that pairs beautifully with the fruit.
• Use pears: Replace one or both apples with ripe pears for a softer texture and mellower sweetness that complements the tart cranberries.
• Make it citrusy: Add orange segments and a tablespoon of orange zest to the dressing for bright citrus notes that enhance the cranberry flavor.
• Try different nuts: Substitute toasted walnuts, pecans or pistachios for the almonds to change up the nutty flavor and add visual interest.

How to Store Cranberry Apple Salad

Store the salad components separately for the best results. Keep the undressed greens, apples, cheese, cranberries and almonds in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Store the dressing in a separate jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. This prevents the greens from wilting and the apples from browning, ensuring everything stays crisp and fresh until you’re ready to toss and serve.

How long does cranberry apple salad last?

Once dressed, the greens will quickly become soggy and the salad won’t hold up well, so it’s best to toss it with dressing right before serving.

Can you make cranberry apple salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can make cranberry apple salad ahead of time, but it’s best to keep the components separate until serving. Assemble the undressed salad ingredients and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one to two days. Store the dressing in a separate jar with a tight-fitting lid in the fridge for three to five days. Toss the salad with the dressing right before serving to prevent the greens from wilting and becoming soggy.

Cranberry Apple Salad Tips

How else can you use the cranberry dressing?

This vibrant cranberry dressing is incredibly versatile beyond this salad. Drizzle it over roasted Brussels sprouts or roasted sweet potatoes for a festive side dish, or use it as a glaze for pork chops or roasted chicken during the last few minutes of cooking. It also makes a delicious dipping sauce for turkey feta meatballs or a flavorful spread for leftover turkey sandwiches. You can even toss it with warm grain bowls featuring quinoa or wild rice for a tangy, fruity finish.

What can you serve with cranberry apple salad?

This salad with apples and cranberries pairs beautifully with holiday mains and hearty comfort foods. Serve it alongside roasted turkey or glazed ham for a festive meal, or pair it with a creamy soup, such as butternut squash soup, for a lighter lunch.