Description
Thinly sliced cucumbers and crisp apples tossed with celery, red onion, toasted walnuts, and fresh parsley in a light, creamy honey Dijon dressing made with yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of maple syrup. A fresh, crunchy, and beautifully balanced salad ready in 10 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 2 medium apples, cored and thinly sliced
- ½ cup celery, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely sliced
- ⅓ cup walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, optional
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing. Whisk together the yogurt, mayonnaise if using, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl until completely smooth. Season with salt and pepper and taste — it should be creamy, tangy, and lightly sweet. Set aside.
- Thinly slice the cucumbers into rounds or half-moons. Core and thinly slice the apples — no need to peel them as the skin adds color and texture. Slice the celery and red onion as finely as possible. Roughly chop the walnuts and fresh herbs.
- Combine the cucumbers, apples, celery, red onion, and walnuts in a large mixing bowl and toss gently to distribute evenly.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly and lightly coated.
- Scatter the fresh parsley or cilantro over the top and toss once more.
- Serve immediately for the best crunch or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Slice the apples last and toss immediately in the dressing — the apple cider vinegar in the dressing prevents browning and keeps them looking fresh and vibrant.
- Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast to the sweet dressing or Fuji and Honeycrisp for a sweeter, milder apple flavor — both work beautifully.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for 3 minutes before adding — toasting deepens their flavor and adds an extra layer of warmth that makes the salad noticeably better.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins