Refreshing Apple Salad with Tangy Yogurt Dressing (Print Version)

Whip up a refreshing apple salad! This tangy, sweet, and crunchy salad is my favorite for a light meal, full of fresh flavors and simple to make.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Crisp Salad Base

01 - 2 large crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala), cored and chopped
02 - 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
03 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Creamy Dressing Essentials

04 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat recommended)
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (plus extra for apples)
06 - 1-2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (to taste)
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

→ Crunchy Add-ins

09 - 1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and roughly chopped

→ Optional Flavor Boosters

10 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
11 - A pinch of ground cinnamon
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get those apples ready for our refreshing apple salad. Wash them well, then core and chop them into bite-sized pieces. I like mine about half an inch, but go with what feels right. Toss them straight into a big bowl with a little splash of lemon juice right away; this keeps them from turning sad and brown while you prep everything else. Honestly, I always forget this step and end up with slightly oxidized apples, but hey, they still taste good!
02 - Next up, give that celery a good rinse and finely chop it. We're looking for small, consistent pieces here so you get a bit of crunch in every forkful without it overpowering the apples. Add the chopped celery to the bowl with your apples. This is where you start to see the refreshing apple salad come together, all those bright colors mixing!
03 - Grab a small, dry skillet and toast your walnuts over medium heat for just a few minutes, stirring constantly. You'll smell them getting fragrant – that's your cue! Don't walk away, though; they burn super fast. I've definitely learned this the hard way, ending up with a smoky kitchen and burnt nuts. Once they're lightly golden, let them cool a bit, then roughly chop them and add them to the apple mixture.
04 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, the rest of the lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Taste it! This is your moment to adjust for sweetness or tang. Does it need more lemon? A little more honey? This dressing is what makes our refreshing apple salad so special, so get it just right for your palate.
05 - Pour that creamy, tangy dressing over your apple, celery, and walnut mixture. Now, gently toss everything together until all the pieces are nicely coated. You want every bite of this refreshing apple salad to have that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and crunchy. I often find myself getting a little messy at this stage, but it's all part of the fun, right?
06 - Finally, sprinkle your freshly chopped parsley over the top. It adds a lovely pop of color and a fresh aroma. You can serve this refreshing apple salad immediately, or let it chill in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes for the flavors to meld a bit, which I honestly think makes it even better. It’s a simple dish, but it looks so vibrant and inviting on the table!

# Notes:

01 - Always toss your chopped apples with a little lemon juice immediately; it saves them from turning brown and sad.
02 - Don't over-toast the walnuts! They go from perfectly golden to burnt bits in a blink, trust my past mistakes.
03 - Taste the dressing *before* you add it to the salad. It’s easier to adjust seasonings then, promise.
04 - For a boost of flavor, add a tiny pinch of cinnamon to the dressing.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - small whisk
03 - cutting board
04 - sharp knife
05 - small skillet

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 7g

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