Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad
This Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad combines crisp greens, creamy goat cheese, toasted walnuts, apples, and dried cranberries with a sweet balsamic dressing. I love making this fresh and elegant salad for quick lunches, cozy dinners, and holiday gatherings because it feels simple, comforting, and beautifully balanced.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until fragrant.
- Let the walnuts cool slightly.
- Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Add mixed greens to a large salad bowl.
- Add sliced onion, apple slices, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts.
- Crumble goat cheese evenly over the salad.
- Drizzle dressing over the top.
- Toss gently until combined and serve immediately.
Notes
Toast the walnuts for deeper flavor and extra crunch. Store dressing separately if preparing ahead of time. Add grilled chicken for extra protein or substitute pears for apples for a sweeter variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg