I’ve been wanting to share a green salad with you guys forever! This Apple and Gouda Mixed Green Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette is something hubby and I eat on the regular. It takes minutes to prepare and hits all the right notes – crispy apple, nutty gouda, buttery croutons and a delicious homemade vinaigrette. You are gonna love this one!
Hey everyone! How are ya doing? I’ve honestly made this salad (or variations thereof) for what seems like forever. I’ve been holding out on you guys – my bad. Better late than never, though. I can pretty much say with full confidence that this will be a go-to salad of yours for busy weekdays (or holiday entertaining, which is rapidly approaching, like, waaaaay to fast). Let’s get to the good stuff, shall we?
Mixed Green Salad
For this recipe, I used my very own apples. They didn’t have to be shipped to me from anywhere. I literally went out into my backyard and picked them straight from the tree. How exciting is that? Side note—> I’m easily excited. The tree is not huge, but it did yield a lot. All of the apples are not perfect, but they taste amazing and are as fresh as can be. I can only imagine just how many we are going to get next year! I used a lovely honey crisp for this mixed green salad and it works perfectly.
How to Make Croutons
I don’t always make homemade croutons, but whenever I have a small portion of bread leftover from a loaf, it’s a great way to use it up. Waste not, want not as they say. Plus, have you ever made homemade croutons? Seriously, it doesn’t even compare to those boxed ones you can buy in the grocery store.
These homemade croutons are buttery and crispy. And to add another element of cheese (twist my arm), I added some of the gouda to the mix. You already know that these are going to taste fabulous, don’t ya? I could eat these like potato chips they are that good.
Mixed Green Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette
I used a mixture of both baby arugula and baby spinach for this mixed green salad. The combination of both add a yummy flavour. For the dressing I made my homemade go-to vinaigrette. You just place all the ingredients in a mason jar, cover, do a little dance, and way to go! If you want to make this salad a little more substantial, a little added chicken would work lovely.
Other Easy Salad Recipes you May Enjoy
Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon 🙂
P.S. If you think this Apple and Gouda Mixed Green Salad will make your belly happy too, please hit that little Pin button. Many thanks, you guys! XO
Apple and Gouda Mixed Green Salad
Ingredients
Apple and Gouda Mixed Green Salad
- 4 cups baby arugula -loosely packed
- 4 cups baby spinach -loosely packed
- 1/2 cup gouda -shaved with a vegetable peeler
- 1/3 cup red onion -thinly sliced
- 1 apple -I used honey crisp, cut into small wedges
- 1/4 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup walnuts -roughly chopped
Homemade Croutons
- 2 cups cubed bread -day old works great (size of dice)
- 2 tbsp gouda -shredded on small grate of box grater
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter -melted
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Apple and Gouda Mixed Green Salad
- Arrange baby arugula and spinach in bowl. Top with remainder of ingredients, including homemade croutons. Drizzle with maple Dijon vinaigrette to taste. Enjoy!
Homemade Croutons
- Preheat oven to 375F. Toss bread cubes with rest of ingredients and place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake on centre of oven for 15 minutes, turning halfway. Remove and let cool a few minutes before placing on salad.
Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
- Place all ingredients in a mason jar, cover, and shake to combine.
This is a salad lover’s fall dream! Apples are one of my favorite salad ingredients .. the crunch and sweetness is what makes it so good!
Thank you so much, Noel! It really is quite tasty 🙂
This salad screams Fall. It looks absolutely delicious and so healthy. I love Maple Dijon Vinaigrette. Can’t wait to give this salad a try.
Thanks Natalie! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do 🙂
This is the kind of salad I LOVE making this time of the year, apples (Honeycrisp, granny and pink lady are some of my fav!) with greens and cheese go so perfect together! The dressing sounds amazing too, will definitely make it soon!
So happy to hear that 🙂 Thanks Andrea!
YUM, I love all the ingredients and flavour combo in this salad! So refreshing and perfect for fall. Pinning to try later!
Thanks so much Sam! Enjoy 🙂