Apple Walnut Quinoa Salad
Updated September 04, 2024
Quick Summary
Apple season is one of my favorite seasons. I love apple picking and cooking and baking with apples. A few of my favorite apple recipes include: apple crisp, applesauce, apple bundt cake, and apple cobbler.
I also love using apples to make this hearty and healthy Apple Quinoa Salad. The flavors scream fall! The salad is made with nutty quinoa, fresh spinach, crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, creamy goat cheese, and sweet dried cranberries. The salad is tossed in a simple maple mustard dressing that is tangy and sweet!
This salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for dinner. I love making during the fall months when apples are in season, but it is good year-round. I also love making it for Thanksgiving. It always gets rave reviews from family and friends.
Ingredients
This easy salad recipe has all of my favorite ingredients:
- Spinach
- Quinoa
- Apples
- Walnuts
- Dried cranberries
- Goat cheese
The quinoa salad is finished with a maple mustard dressing that pulls all of the fall flavors together. Don’t skip the dressing, I promise it is easy to make. You can whisk it up in just a few minutes.
How to Make Apple Quinoa Salad
- First, make the maple mustard dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the spinach, cooked quinoa, apples, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and walnuts. Toss until salad is combined. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Drizzle with dressing and toss again. Serve and enjoy!
Salad Variations
- Greens– instead of spinach use kale, arugula, or mixed greens.
- Grains– if you don’t care for quinoa, you can use farro, couscous, or orzo.
- Nuts– instead of walnuts use pecans, candied pecans, or almonds.
- Cheese– use feta cheese or white cheddar instead of goat cheese.
- Dried Fruit– currants, dried cherries, or golden raisins would also work nicely in this salad.
- Protein– add chicken, chickpeas, or white beans for a boost of protein.
More Fall Salad Recipes
- Simple Kale Salad
- Easy Spinach Salad
- Apple Pecan Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
- Favorite Pear Salad
- Beet Salad
Check out more SALAD RECIPES!
Apple Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
For the maple mustard dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
For the quinoa salad:
- 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups chopped apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji are my favorite)
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese (can use feta cheese)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- First, make the maple mustard dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the spinach, cooked quinoa, apples, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and walnuts. Toss until salad is combined. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Drizzle with dressing and toss again. Serve and enjoy!