Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing

by Kayla Berman on Sep 18, 2023 (updated Apr 15, 2024) 0 comments

If you’re looking to add a little brightness to your holiday table, try my Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing! Featuring sweet-tart fruit, peppery greens, crunchy candied walnuts, chewy dates, and creamy cheddar all tossed in a tangy, autumnal dressing, this simple 10-ingredient fall arugula salad is the perfect counterpoint to all the heavy fare in a traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas spread.

Why You’ll Love This Arugula Apple Salad With Maple Dressing

The transition from summer to fall is easily one of my favorite times of year. Not only do I love busting out all of my beloved sweaters, scarves, cozy socks, and boots, but I also love the flavors we associate with the season. From pumpkin bread to maple granola and caramel apple ice cream, there’s no shortage of delicious ways to celebrate!

And, while I love that autumn goes hand in hand with baking sweet treats, I also do what I can to find fun, delicious ways to get plenty of fruits and veggies in my diet. Enter this maple balsamic arugula salad with glazed walnuts, inspired by a recent restaurant trip. It has two key fall ingredients – apples and maple – so it feels decidedly on brand for the season.

Aside from being the perfect fall and winter veggie dish, though, this arugula balsamic salad is also:

Quick & Easy – Even including the time it takes to make the caramelized walnuts, you’ll be feasting on this salad in just 25 minutes or less.
Made With Just 10 Ingredients – And most of them are probably already in your pantry!
Easily Adaptable – Don’t like walnuts? Swap in pecans. Not a fan of green apples? Swap in a crisp red variety like Fuji. Want it to be vegan-friendly? No problem! Read on below for plenty of ideas and ingredient swaps so you can make this arugula and apple salad your own.
Balanced – With the ideal combo of sweet & savory flavors and crunchy, chewy, & creamy textures, this is a salad that’s 100% crave-worthy.

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this yummy fall salad. For the Apple Arugula Salad, grab:

Arugula – I tend to find that greens that come in a clamshell are generally less squished than those that come in a bag.
Medjool Dates – Aptly nicknamed “nature’s candy,” dates add a lovely bit of chewy sweetness. While you’re welcome to use any variety you prefer, I think Medjool are the tastiest.
Granny Smith Apple – Tart green apples are the perfect foil to the sweetness of the maple and dates. Feel free to use any variety of crisp, sweet-tart apple you prefer.
White Cheddar Cheese – Tangy cheddar is a lovely, unexpected addition. You’re welcome to swap in yellow cheddar if you prefer, though I don’t think it looks quite as good. Alternatively, feel free to make an arugula apple goat cheese salad instead.

For the Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette, you’ll need:

Olive Oil – If you have it, this would be a great spot to use some fancy finishing oil.
Balsamic Vinegar – You can’t have a balsamic maple dressing without the balsamic! Make sure to reach for the best quality you can afford.
Dijon Mustard – For added tang, plus some serious emulsifying power. In a pinch, swap in spicy brown mustard instead.
Pure Maple Syrup – “Pure” is the operative word here. Avoid any corn syrup-spiked blends (e.g. Log Cabin or Aunt Jemima) for the best flavor.

And for the Candied Maple Walnuts, you’ll also need:

Walnuts – I think walnut pieces are ideal for this recipe so you get a little bit in each bite. As an added bonus, they’re typically cheaper than walnut halves! If you’re not a fan of walnuts, you’re welcome to use pecans instead.
Butter – I used salted butter to make these easy candied walnuts. If you only have unsalted, add an extra pinch or two of salt. You’re also welcome to use vegan butter if you prefer!

Equipment

How To Make Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing

This tasty arugula salad with apples comes together in just a few simple steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Maple Candied Walnuts. Add the walnuts, butter, pure maple syrup, and a pinch of salt to a small pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 2 minutes, then pour the candied walnuts onto a parchment paper-lined small baking sheet or plate. Add salt to taste. Place in the refrigerator to cool.

Step 2: Make Balsamic Maple Dressing. Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pure maple syrup, and dijon mustard to a small jar or bowl. Combine thoroughly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 3: Toss the arugula, chopped dates, white cheddar cheese cubes, candied walnuts, and maple balsamic vinaigrette in a large mixing bowl.

Step 4: Plate. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl. Arrange the apple slices on top. (Or just toss in with the other ingredients.)

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations

As much as I love this autumnal arugula salad with maple balsamic dressing recipe just the way it is written, there is plenty of room for you to tweak it to suit your preferences. Here are a few ideas to get your creative wheels turning:

Swap Your Fruit – While apples and dates are my idea of a match made in heaven, you’re welcome to use pears and dried cranberries or raisins instead!
Vegan – Use dairy-free butter to make the maple syrup candied walnuts and swap in your favorite vegan cheddar cheese alternative.
Nut-Free – If nuts are a no-no, you can try making candied pepitas or sunflower seeds instead. If seeds are also off the table, consider adding some granola bits to replace the crunch.

Expert Tips

Make-Ahead Magic. Feel free to make the dressing and candied walnuts for salad up to a week ahead of time. Just be sure you don’t toss the salad together until you’re ready to serve
Be Gentle. Unlike heartier greens like kale, arugula is prone to bruising. Make sure you use a gentle touch when you’re tossing the salad. If you’re unsure, there’s no rule against using clean, bare hands. 😉
Drizzle a bit of the maple dressing across the bottom and sides of your bowl before adding the salad ingredients to help ensure a more even distribution of the maple-y goodness.

Serving Suggestions

This arugula apple walnut salad with maple syrup-candied nuts is lovely as a light, stand-alone meal. That said, it also plays well with others. Try serving it with:

Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Whether you’re serving turkey, ham, or prime rib, this light and bright salad is a lovely accompaniment. Plus, it’s a nice, colorful break from all the carb-heavy sides like creamy mashed potatoes, buttery stuffing, and au gratin potatoes!
As a Weeknight Side. It’s the perfect way to get some color on your dinner plate, no matter what you’re serving! That said, I’m particularly partial to serving it with simple grilled or seared chicken breasts or a flavorful salmon.
Add Protein. To make this more of an entrée salad, consider adding some protein like sliced or shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy weeknight meal, grilled tofu for a satisfying vegetarian option, or even leftover Thanksgiving turkey for a post-holiday twist on this delightful salad.

FAQs

What does arugula taste like?

DELICIOUS! It’s tender like regular mixed greens, but has a lovely peppery flavor that’s sort of similar to watercress. If I’m being honest, it’s probably my favorite salad green.

Can I use a different green?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap in the greens of your choice. I think mixed baby greens or baby spinach would also be lovely.

What do British people call arugula?

Our friends across the pond call arugula “rocket.” Depending on the brand, it may be labelled that way — even here in the US!

What kind of apples are best in salads? What kind of apple should I use?

I tend to favor tart Granny Smith apples in this recipe, simply because that mouth-puckery tang is the perfect foil for the other flavors. That said, any sweet-tart, firm apple you like is going to shine beautifully.

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