Apple Celery Salad Walnuts

I threw this salad together on a Tuesday afternoon when I was craving something that tasted like autumn but didn't require turning on the oven. The first bite made me pause—sweet apple hitting crisp celery, that earthy crunch of walnuts, and just enough brightness from lemon to make everything feel alive.

Last weekend, I served this alongside roasted chicken and watched my normally celery-hating nephew go back for thirds. That's when I knew this simple combination was something special—not just a salad, but the kind of side dish that steals the show entirely by accident.

Ingredients

• 2 medium apples: Gala brings natural sweetness while Granny Smith offers tart crispness, so choose based on your mood or use both for contrast
• 4 celery stalks: Fresh, firm stalks with leaves still attached add both crunch and subtle herbal notes
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley: Finely chopped, it brightens everything and makes the colors pop
• ½ cup walnuts: Toasting them first is nonnegotiable—that nutty fragrance transforms the entire dish
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice: Freshly squeezed brings the kind of brightness that bottled juice never achieves
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil: Use your best one here since the flavor really shines through
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup: Just enough to balance the acid and highlight the apple's sweetness
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard: The secret ingredient that makes the dressing cling to every bite

Instructions

Toast the walnuts:

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and add the chopped walnuts, stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes until they smell fragrant and slightly darker. Remove immediately from the hot pan so they don't keep cooking.

Make the dressing:

Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes opaque.

Combine everything:

Add the sliced apples and celery to the dressing, tossing gently so every piece gets coated. Fold in the cooled walnuts and parsley last to maintain their crunch.

Save

Now this salad appears on my table at least once a week, sometimes with crumbled blue cheese sprinkled on top when I'm feeling fancy, sometimes exactly as written when I need something reliable and good.

Making It Your Own

I've discovered that swapping pecans for walnuts changes the whole character, making it feel more Southern and buttery, while hazelnuts lean French and sophisticated. The template stays the same but the personality shifts entirely.

Serving Suggestions

This salad holds its own as a light lunch, especially when served over a bed of mixed greens. It also cuts through rich mains like roast pork or creamy pasta dishes like nothing else in my repertoire.

Make Ahead Wisdom

The dressing can be whisked together up to two days in advance and stored in a sealed jar. When you're ready to serve, just toss everything together and let it sit for five minutes so the flavors can get acquainted.

• Wait to add the walnuts until the last minute so they stay perfectly crunchy
• If prepping ahead, squeeze extra lemon over the apples to keep them pristine
• This salad actually improves after a short chill—the flavors meld beautifully

Save

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones that become part of your permanent rotation, and this apple celery salad has earned its place in mine through sheer reliability and quiet deliciousness.

Common Questions

→ How do you keep apples from browning in this salad?

Toss sliced apples with a bit of lemon juice before combining them with other ingredients to prevent discoloration.

→ Can walnuts be substituted with other nuts?

Yes, pecans or hazelnuts make excellent alternatives, offering a similar crunch and flavor profile.

→ What is the best way to toast walnuts for this dish?

Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned.

→ Is it necessary to chill the salad before serving?

Chilling for up to an hour enhances crispness, but it can be served immediately for fresher texture.

→ How does the dressing complement the salad ingredients?

The lemon juice and honey dressing adds tangy sweetness and balances the crunch of celery and the richness of walnuts.