This elevated apple brie salad brings together creamy cheese, crisp apples, and nutty crunch in a stunning mix of flavor and texture. Dressed in a lightly sweet apple vinaigrette, it’s perfect for fall or anytime you’re craving a fresh, elegant salad.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Balanced sweet-savory flavor: Apples and cranberries meet rich brie and toasted pecans.

• Elegant but easy: 15-minute prep, no cooking required.

• Versatile: Great as a starter, light lunch, or side dish.

• Visually stunning: A true showstopper salad with minimal effort.

Apple Brie Salad

Few salads are as effortlessly elegant as one that stars brie and apples. It’s a pairing that evokes the crispness of autumn, but its appeal goes far beyond any single season.

This salad hits all the notes: crisp, creamy, sweet, tart, crunchy, and fresh. It’s one of those combinations that feels gourmet yet is so easy to pull together.

At its heart is creamy brie cheese, which adds a soft richness that complements the crispness of tart apple slices. Choose a firm brie for cleaner cuts or leave the rind on for added depth.

Then there’s the apple. Whether you go for Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith, the right apple provides both sweetness and a crunchy contrast to the creamy brie.

Pecans offer a nutty, toasty crunch that makes every bite feel complete. Want to take it further? Lightly toast the pecans before adding—they’ll be more aromatic and flavorful.

Dried cranberries bring a pop of tartness and color, while green onions add a sharp, fresh bite that cuts through the richness.

The base is a bed of mixed greens. Use a pre-washed spring mix or blend your own with baby spinach, arugula, and butter lettuce for a more complex flavor.

And let’s not forget the dressing—a homemade apple cider vinaigrette that’s just the right mix of tangy, sweet, and light. It clings beautifully to every leaf without overwhelming the other flavors.

What’s lovely about this salad is its flexibility. Serve it at dinner parties, bring it to potlucks, or prep it for your weekly lunches. It adapts to the moment effortlessly.

If you want more protein, add grilled chicken or turkey slices. Looking for a vegetarian main? Add quinoa or chickpeas for extra heartiness.

It also works beautifully as part of a holiday spread. Its vibrant look and festive flavor fit right in with Thanksgiving or Christmas meals.

Kids love the apple and cheese combo, making it a great gateway salad. Just go easy on the onions or swap them for milder chives.

It’s also a great make-ahead dish. Just layer everything except the apples and dressing until ready to serve.

And did we mention how pretty it looks? That contrast of white cheese, red apples, green onions, and jewel-like cranberries—it’s a feast for the eyes.

Above all, it’s a salad you’ll return to again and again. Because once you try it, you’ll realize it’s not just simple—it’s sensational.

Servings

Serves 4

Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 5–6 oz mixed greens

• 1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), diced or thinly sliced

• 4 oz brie cheese, cubed

• 1/2 cup pecans (toasted if preferred)

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

• 3 green onions, chopped

For the Apple Cider Dressing:

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1 tbsp apple juice or cider

• 1.5 tbsp honey

• 1/4 tsp ground ginger

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Salad Base:
   In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, apple pieces, brie cubes, pecans, cranberries, and chopped green onions.

2. Make the Dressing:
   In a jar or small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, apple juice, honey, ginger, and pepper until emulsified.

3. Assemble and Dress:
   Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine.

Tips

• Keep apples from browning by slicing last or tossing in lemon water.

• Use roasted nuts for added depth.

• Substitute pear for apple for a seasonal variation.