There’s something about the crunch of fresh apples mixed with tart cranberries and creamy blue cheese that just screams holiday cheer. That’s why I’m so excited to share this Festive Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe—it’s a perfect way to add a burst of flavor, color, and texture to any holiday table.

A white bowl filled with a fresh green salad made of large leafy greens as the bottom layer, topped with small cubes of pale yellow and light red apple pieces spread evenly across the salad. Scattered on top are brown roasted almonds and dark red dried cranberries, with small crumbles of blue cheese adding white with blue veins spots. In the background, a white plate with a wedge of blue cheese and two silver spoons can be seen on a white marbled surface along with a small jar of dressing. A white cloth with black stripes is partially visible at the bottom edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Over the years, I’ve found this salad to be a game-changer when it comes to holiday sides. It’s simple but feels fancy, and I love surprising guests with how these few ingredients come together so beautifully on the palette.

Bright Flavor Contrast: The sweet, tart cranberries and crisp apples balance the richness of blue cheese perfectly.
Easy to Assemble: You don’t need fancy techniques—just quick chopping and whisking.
Unforgettable Texture: From crunchy candied almonds to crisp romaine, each bite feels satisfying and fresh.
Perfect for Holiday Tables: Its festive colors and flavors make it a standout among heavier holiday dishes.

The dish shows a white bowl filled with fresh green lettuce leaves as the base layer, topped with small red and white apple cubes scattered all over. On top of that is a layer of roasted brown almonds and dark red dried cranberries evenly spread. The final layer includes small chunks of blue cheese dotted across, creating a mix of green, red, brown, and creamy white colors with different textures. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a white cloth nearby and two silver spoons to the top right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a unique role and shopping with quality in mind really pays off. The fresh lettuce and rocket bring peppery greens, while the cranberries and apples add seasonal sweetness. Candied almonds contribute a delicious crunch, and the blue cheese adds that creamy, tangy punch.

Flat lay of fresh large Romaine lettuce leaves, a small pile of vibrant baby rocket leaves, a handful of plump dried cranberries, crunchy candied almonds, a wedge of creamy blue cheese, neatly cubed fresh apple pieces, small white ceramic bowls holding smooth Dijon mustard, golden honey, deep red wine vinegar, bright lemon juice, coarse salt and black pepper, and a small white bowl filled with rich olive oil, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Romaine Lettuce: Crisp and sturdy, it holds up well against the dressing without wilting quickly.
Baby Rocket (Arugula): Adds a peppery bite that lifts the salad’s flavors.
Dried Cranberries: Tart sweetness that’s quintessentially festive—opt for ones without too much added sugar.
Candied Almonds: They bring a lovely crunch and a sweet nutty note; if you can’t find them pre-made, a quick homemade candying works wonders.
Blue Cheese: A little goes a long way—choose a creamy variety like Gorgonzola for that perfect tang.
Apple: Fresh and crisp, your favorite variety works but I love using Fuji or Honeycrisp for sweetness and crunch.
Dijon Mustard: Gives a mild tangy depth to the dressing.
Honey: Balances the acidity with natural sweetness.
Red Wine Vinegar & Lemon Juice: Provide bright acidity that keeps the salad lively.
Salt and Pepper: Seasoning is key—you want the flavors to pop without overpowering.
Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for a smooth finish in the dressing.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to play around with this salad depending on what I have on hand or the occasion. Feel free to swap the blue cheese for feta if you want a milder flavor or try toasted pecans in place of almonds for a different crunch. Adding fresh herbs like mint or parsley can brighten it even more—you'll find plenty of ways to make this salad truly yours.

Variation: When I’m serving this at a winter brunch, I sometimes toss in some pomegranate seeds instead of dried cranberries for a juicy pop that wows guests.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe

Step 1: Whisking the Perfect Dressing

I start by combining the Dijon mustard, honey, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisking these together first helps marry the flavors. Then, I slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking vigorously to emulsify it all—it’s what gives the dressing that lovely, silky texture that clings perfectly to the salad.

Step 2: Preparing the Greens and Fruit

Next, I tear the romaine leaves into bite-sized pieces and toss them with the baby rocket. Then I cube the apple—I keep the skin on because it adds beautiful color and nutrients. I always give the apple a quick toss with a little lemon juice to keep it from browning while I prep the rest.

Step 3: Assembling the Salad

I reserve some of the dried cranberries, candied almonds, and blue cheese for garnishing later—that way the salad looks as pretty as it tastes. Then, I toss the lettuce, rocket, apple cubes, half the cranberries, almonds, blue cheese, and half the dressing in a large bowl until everything is lightly coated.

Step 4: Garnishing and Serving

Finally, I sprinkle the reserved cranberries, almonds, and blue cheese on top, then drizzle the remaining dressing over everything. This finishing touch makes the salad look festive and ensures each bite has a bit of every flavor.

Top Tip

From years of making this salad, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference—keep these in mind and you’ll wow your guests every time.

Emulsify the Dressing Slowly: Adding olive oil gradually while whisking helps avoid a greasy or separated dressing.
Prep Apples with Lemon Juice: Toss apple cubes right away in lemon juice to prevent browning and keep them looking fresh.
Reserve Garnishes: Holding back some crunchy and creamy toppings until the end keeps the salad visually appealing and texturally interesting.
Serve Immediately: This salad tastes best fresh—lettuce can get soggy if it sits too long, so plan to serve right after assembly.

How to Serve Festive Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe

Cranberry Apple Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this salad with extra candied almonds and dried cranberries for a fun crunch, plus a few more crumbles of blue cheese for creaminess. Sometimes, I add a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or even some toasted pumpkin seeds for an extra festive touch.

Side Dishes

This salad is a fantastic accompaniment to rich holiday mains like roast turkey, glazed ham, or even a simple roast chicken. I often pair it alongside buttery mashed potatoes and warm dinner rolls—it really cuts through those heavier flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this salad layered in clear glass trifle bowls so the vibrant colors show through. Another favorite is serving it in individual mason jars for a pretty, portable appetizer or side that feels extra thoughtful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store any leftover salad components separately—the dressing in a jar, apples and greens in airtight containers. Toss them together right before serving again the next day to keep everything crisp and fresh.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because of the fresh greens and dressing. If you want to prep ahead, focus on making the dressing and candied almonds in advance and keeping the apples and greens fresh until just before serving.

Reheating

Since this is a cold salad, reheating isn’t necessary—or recommended. Best to enjoy it fresh and crisp right from the fridge after a quick toss with reserved dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute blue cheese for a milder cheese?

Absolutely! If blue cheese's bold flavor isn't your thing, feta or goat cheese make wonderful milder alternatives without losing creaminess.

How far in advance can I prepare the salad?

To keep the lettuce crisp, prepare the dressing and toppings ahead, but toss the salad together and add dressing no more than 30 minutes before serving.

Can I make the salad vegan?

Yes! Omit the blue cheese and replace honey in the dressing with maple syrup or agave. Candied almonds and cranberries provide plenty of flavor and texture.

What’s the best apple variety to use?

I prefer Fuji or Honeycrisp for their natural sweetness and crunch, but Granny Smith also works if you like a tarter note.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe is one of my go-to dishes every holiday season. It’s bright, fresh, and impresses every time with its balance of flavors and textures. I hope you’ll give it a try and find that it becomes a new staple for your festive gatherings—just like it did for mine!