Black Friday Cranberry Walnut Salad Recipe – Holiday Freshness
Ah, Black Friday. The excitement of scoring amazing deals is matched only by the joy of spending quality time with family, reflecting on the good times shared over a delicious meal. But let’s be real: after the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving Day, who has the energy for another grand feast?
Enter the Black Friday Cranberry Walnut Salad Recipe – a dish that’s easy, vibrant, and utterly refreshing. This salad is a delightful way to use up any leftover cranberries while introducing a burst of flavors that'll leave everyone feeling satisfied and grateful.
Article Includes
Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Walnut Salad
Choosing the Right Greens: The foundation of a great salad is, undoubtedly, its greens. For this recipe, I like using a mix of baby spinach and arugula. The baby spinach is tender and mild, while the arugula offers a hint of peppery flavor that keeps things interesting. If you’re in a pinch, any pre-washed salad mix will work fine, but the freshness really makes a difference.
Perfecting the Dressing: A salad dressing can make or break your dish. For this Black Friday Cranberry Walnut Salad Recipe, I kept it simple with a balsamic vinaigrette. The key is to balance sweetness and acidity. The honey not only offsets the tart cranberries but also helps emulsify the dressing, giving it a smooth texture that clings beautifully to your greens. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to suit your taste – some might prefer a touch more honey or a dash of maple syrup for a different twist.
Black Friday Cranberry Walnut Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Skillet for toasting walnuts
- Large salad bowl
- Small bowl for dressing
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped and toasted
- 5 oz mixed greens baby spinach arugula, etc.
- 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 apple thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Cranberries: Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly and pat them dry. You can leave them whole or halve them, depending on your texture preference.
- Toast the Walnuts: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Toss in the chopped walnuts and toast them for about 5 minutes, or until they become golden and fragrant. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Mix the Greens: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens. This can be a combination of baby spinach, arugula, or any of your personal favorites.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Add the thinly sliced red onion, apple slices, toasted walnuts, fresh cranberries, and dried cranberries to the salad bowl.
- Add Feta: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad. This adds a creamy, tangy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweet and tart cranberries.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine everything evenly.
- Serve: Once everything is well-mixed, your salad is ready to serve. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy!
