There’s something truly festive and fresh about this **Sweet Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe** that just brightens any holiday table. The perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and crunchy makes it a standout side dish you'll want to make more than once.

A white bowl filled with a fresh salad showing three main layers: the base layer is bright green leafy lettuce, the middle layer has light cream and red small chopped apple pieces, and the top layer is sprinkled with roasted brown almonds, dark red dried cranberries, and small chunks of pale blue cheese with dark veins. In the background, there is a small white plate with a piece of blue cheese, a silver spoon, and a glass jar with golden dressing on a white marbled surface. A white cloth with thin black stripes is placed near the bowl. 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 Sweet Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sweet Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sweet Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this salad has become one of my go-to Christmas sides because it’s not only delicious but also easy to pull together at the last minute. Every bite offers a little surprise—sweet cranberries, crisp apples, and the punchy bite of blue cheese.

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweet and tart from cranberries and apple contrast beautifully with the creamy, tangy blue cheese.
Quick and Easy: It takes just about 15 minutes from start to finish, ideal for hectic holiday prep.
Crisp and Textural: Mixing crunchy candied almonds and fresh greens keeps every forkful exciting.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: It’s great on its own or paired with roasted meats and other festive dishes.

A fresh salad served in a white bowl placed on a white marbled surface shows bright green leafy lettuce as the first layer. On top, there are small cubes of red and yellow apples spread evenly, mixed with dark red dried cranberries. Whole roasted almonds add a crunchy texture and a warm brown color, scattered among the other ingredients. Small bits of blue cheese with its white and dark blue veins sit atop the salad, giving a creamy look. The mix of colors and textures makes the salad look fresh and tasty, with a silver spoon visible near the top right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This salad shines because of the fresh and quality ingredients that complement each other so well. Here’s why each piece counts—and a tip to get the best out of them.

Flat lay of eight large fresh Romaine lettuce leaves, a handful of vibrant green baby rocket leaves, a small mound of deep red dried cranberries, a neat pile of glossy candied almonds, a wedge of creamy blue cheese with visible veins, a small white ceramic bowl filled with cubed fresh apple, a small white bowl containing smooth golden honey, another small white bowl with bright yellow Dijon mustard, a small white bowl of clear red wine vinegar, a small white bowl of pale yellow lemon juice, a small white bowl filled with rich green olive oil, and two whole uncracked brown eggs, arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic plate, placed 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, sturdy leaves hold the dressing well without wilting too fast.
Baby Rocket (Arugula): Adds a peppery kick that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Dried Cranberries: Their chewy sweetness is essential for that festive vibe, plus they hydrate slightly with the dressing.
Candied Almonds: Crunchy and sweet, they add an irresistible texture contrast.
Blue Cheese: A bold, creamy note that wakes up the salad—don’t skip it unless you really don’t like blue cheese.
Apple (cubed): Fresh apple cubes bring juicy crispness; I prefer tart varieties like Granny Smith for balance.
Dijon Mustard: Adds subtle heat and depth to the dressing.
Honey: Natural sweetness to tie the flavors together.
Red Wine Vinegar & Lemon Juice: Both add acidity to brighten the salad and counterbalance richness.
Olive Oil: Creates a smooth, well-emulsified dressing that coats every ingredient lovingly.
Salt & Pepper: Essential seasoning to bring out all the flavors.

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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

One of the best things about the Sweet Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I’ve played around with different nuts and greens, and honestly, it’s fun to customize, so don’t be afraid to tweak it.

Variation: I sometimes swap out candied almonds for toasted pecans or walnuts for a warmer nuttiness, especially during colder months.
Diet-friendly: For a dairy-free version, try a tangy vegan cheese alternative or omit the blue cheese altogether and increase the crunch with extra nuts.
Seasonal twist: Swap apples for pears or add pomegranate seeds for a jewel-like pop of color.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together the tangy dressing

I start by mixing Dijon mustard, honey, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk these well before slowly drizzling in olive oil to create a smooth, emulsified dressing. This ensures all the flavors marry beautifully and cling to the salad.

Step 2: Prepare the salad base

Next, I grab those fresh Romaine leaves and baby rocket, washing and drying them gently. I keep a few cranberries, apple cubes, and candied almonds aside for garnish, then toss the rest along with half the dressing to make sure every leaf is lightly coated.

Step 3: Assemble and finish with flair

Finally, I sprinkle the reserved crunchy ingredients on top, crumble the blue cheese over the salad, and drizzle the remaining dressing. This layering gives the salad a gorgeous mix of textures and flavors in every bite.

Top Tip

From my experience making this salad multiple times, a few details really take it from good to memorable. These tips saved me from soggy leaves or overpowering blue cheese flavors.

Dry Your Greens Well: Excess moisture dilutes the dressing and makes the salad soggy—use a salad spinner or pat gently with towels.
Balance the Cheese: Blue cheese is strong, so crumble it sparingly and taste as you go to find the perfect punch without overpowering other flavors.
Mix Ingredients Gently: Toss the salad lightly to avoid bruising the apple and breaking delicate greens.
Reserve Some Crunch: Setting aside some almonds and cranberries to sprinkle on top preserves their crisp texture and adds visual appeal.

How to Serve Sweet Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe

cranberry apple salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love using extra candied almonds and whole dried cranberries on top because they add a delightful crunch and sweetness with every bite. A few extra crumbles of blue cheese are irresistible as a finishing touch.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey or chicken, and it’s fantastic alongside rich mashed potatoes or savory stuffing. I often serve it at holiday dinners to refresh heavier flavors on the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged this salad in individual glass cups layered with a bit of dressing at the bottom for a pretty parfait look. It’s also charming served in a hollowed-out apple bowl if you want a fun conversation starter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, storing dressing separately if possible to keep the leaves crisp. The salad is best eaten within a day, as apples can brown and greens soften over time.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t ideal for this salad because the fresh ingredients like lettuce and apple don’t hold their texture well, and blue cheese can separate. It's best enjoyed fresh.

Reheating

This salad is designed to be served cold or at room temperature, so I don’t recommend reheating. If you want to prep ahead, mix everything except delicate greens, adding those right before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute blue cheese with a milder cheese?

Absolutely! Feta or goat cheese work as great milder alternatives, giving a creamy texture without the strong pungency of blue cheese.

What kind of apples work best in this salad?

I recommend tart varieties like Granny Smith because they add brightness and hold their shape well, but sweet apples like Fuji work if you prefer a sweeter bite.

How can I keep the salad from becoming soggy?

Make sure to dry your greens thoroughly and toss the salad with only half the dressing initially. Add the rest just before serving, and reserve crispy toppings separately until the last moment.

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

Yes, but it’s best to keep the dressing and crunchier ingredients separate until you’re ready to serve to maintain freshness and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe is one of those dishes I find myself returning to year after year, especially during the holidays. It’s simple enough for quick prep but also packed with flavor and texture to impress any guest. Seriously, once you try this, you’ll want to make it a tradition!