Apple Salad with Honeycrisp Apples, Celery, Grapes, Pecans & Dried Cranberries

A crisp, colourful, and wonderfully refreshing fruit salad! Sweet Honeycrisp apples and juicy grapes are paired with crunchy celery, toasted pecans, and chewy dried cranberries, then tossed in a creamy, lightly sweet dressing. It makes a delicious side dish, light lunch, brunch addition, or holiday table favourite.

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 3 medium Honeycrisp apples, cored and diced
• 1½ cups seedless red or green grapes, halved
• 2 celery stalks, finely sliced
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)

For the Dressing

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the apples: Wash, core, and dice the Honeycrisp apples into bite-sized pieces. You can leave the skin on for extra colour and texture.
2. Prevent browning: Place the diced apples in a large bowl and toss them gently with the lemon juice. This keeps them fresh-looking while adding a pleasant brightness.
3. Prepare the other ingredients: Halve the grapes, slice the celery, and chop the pecans. For extra flavour, lightly toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently. Let them cool completely.
4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yoghurt, mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, vanilla, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
5. Combine: Add the grapes, celery, dried cranberries, and cooled pecans to the apples.
6. Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over the fruit mixture and gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
7. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavours to blend beautifully.
8. Serve: Give the salad a gentle stir before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or a few extra chopped pecans if desired.

Servings

6 servings

Prep Time

15 minutes

Chill Time

30 minutes

Total Time

45 minutes

Tips for the Best Apple Salad

• Use Honeycrisp apples: Their natural sweetness and crisp texture make them especially good for this salad.
• Toast the pecans: This small step gives the salad a richer, nuttier flavour.
• Don’t overdress: Start with most of the dressing and add more if needed. The fruit should be coated but not swimming in dressing.
• Make it ahead: You can prepare the dressing and chop most ingredients several hours ahead. For the best texture, combine everything shortly before serving.
• Adjust sweetness: If your apples and grapes are very sweet, reduce the honey. If they’re tart, add another teaspoon.
• For extra crunch: Add a few tablespoons of sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts.
• For a lighter version: Use all Greek yoghurt and skip the mayonnaise.
• For a more savoury version: Add a little extra celery and black pepper.

Approximate Nutrition Per Serving

Nutrition will vary depending on the exact ingredients and brands used.

• Calories: 220–250
• Protein: 4–5 g
• Carbohydrates: 31–35 g
• Fat: 10–12 g
• Fiber: 3–4 g
• Sugar: 22–25 g
• Sodium: 120–180 mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad the day before?
Yes. For the freshest texture, prepare the dressing separately and refrigerate it. Toss everything together a few hours before serving.

Can I use another type of apple?
Absolutely. Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith apples all work well. A combination of sweet and tart apples is particularly delicious.

Can I substitute the pecans?
Yes. Walnuts, almonds, cashews, or sunflower seeds are excellent alternatives.

Can I leave out the mayonnaise?
Definitely. Replace it with an additional 2 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt for a lighter dressing.

How long does it keep?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best texture.

Can I add chicken?
Yes! Diced cooked chicken turns this into a more substantial high-protein lunch salad.

What makes this salad special?
It’s the combination of textures: crisp apples and celery, juicy grapes, chewy cranberries, and crunchy pecans, all balanced by the creamy, tangy dressing.