Caramelized Apple and Arugula Salad

Elevate your salad game with this Caramelized Apple and Arugula Salad—a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors. Crisp, peppery arugula forms the perfect base for tender, caramelized apple slices cooked in buttery brown sugar, while toasted walnuts add a satisfying crunch. A homemade vinaigrette, featuring olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey, ties everything together with a tangy yet slightly sweet touch. For the final flourish, creamy crumbles of goat cheese or feta complete this sophisticated, restaurant-quality dish. Ideal as a light lunch or an elegant dinner appetizer, this salad is quick to prepare in just 25 minutes and serves 4. Perfect for fall entertaining or sprucing up your weeknight meals, this recipe is a showstopper that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups Arugula
• 2 medium Apple (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji)
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1.5 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 0.5 cups Walnuts
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.25 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
• 0.5 cups Crumbled goat cheese or feta

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the arugula and place it in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Core and thinly slice the apples, leaving the peel on for added texture and color.

Step 3

In a medium skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar and stir until combined.

Step 4

Add the apple slices to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 5

In a small dry skillet, toast the walnuts over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until they are lightly browned and fragrant. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.

Step 7

Add the caramelized apples and toasted walnuts to the bowl with the arugula. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

Step 8

Top the salad with crumbled goat cheese or feta. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(757.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1469.5

Total Fat 119.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 32.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 32.3g
Cholesterol 92mg	0%
Sodium 1017.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 92.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.5g	0%
Total Sugars 70.5g
Protein 23.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 383.8mg	0%
Iron 5.1mg	0%
Potassium 1264.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.9%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 23.9%