🥗 Celery Apple Crunch Salad
🍽 Description:
This salad is a crunchy, juicy burst of freshness! Celery and green apples are chopped and tossed with a zesty, light dressing and topped with chopped nuts for that perfect textural contrast. It’s clean, simple, and full of natural flavor!
📝 Ingredients:
- 2 cups celery, sliced
- 2 green apples, chopped (Granny Smith recommended)
- ¼ cup chopped parsley (optional, for freshness)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil or light vinaigrette
- Salt & pepper, to taste
🍳 Instructions:
- Chop & Prep:
Chop celery and apples into bite-sized pieces. If using parsley, finely chop it too. - Toss Together:
In a mixing bowl, combine celery, apples, and parsley. - Dress It Up:
Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Toss well to coat. - Season & Serve:
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and chopped pecans. Chill for 10–15 minutes before serving for extra crunch and flavor melding.
👩🍳 Notes & Tips:
- Prevent browning: Toss apples in lemon juice immediately after cutting.
- For extra zing, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the dressing.
- Add-ins: Dried cranberries, raisins, or diced cucumber work great.
- Prefer sweet? Try honey crisp apples or add a touch of maple syrup.
- Nut-free? Swap pecans for sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
🍴 Servings:
Serves 3–4 as a side
2 as a light meal
🔢 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, Approximate):
- Calories: 120–140 kcal
- Carbs: 16g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 10g (natural from apples)
- Sodium: 100mg
🌟 Health Benefits:
- ✅ High in fiber – great for digestion and gut health
- ✅ Low calorie & nutrient-dense
- ✅ Rich in antioxidants from apples & parsley
- ✅ Supports heart health and hydration (high water content)
- ✅ Nuts provide healthy fats for brain function
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes! Best served within 12 hours. Keep the nuts separate and add before serving for max crunch.
Q: Is this kid-friendly?
A: Totally! You can sweeten slightly with honey or use sweeter apple varieties to appeal to kids.
Q: Can I make it vegan?
A: It already is! Just use olive oil or a vegan dressing and you’re good to go.
Q: What can I serve this with?
A: Perfect with grilled chicken, fish, sandwiches, or as a holiday side!
Want a creamy yogurt dressing version, fall-themed variation, or a protein-boosted upgrade next?