If you’re looking for a fresh, crisp salad that bursts with bright flavors and textures, the Simple Celery Apple Salad With Lemon Dressing Recipe is your new go-to. This delightful combination of crunchy celery, sweet-tart apples, and creamy gruyere cheese comes alive with a tangy lemon dressing that ties everything together beautifully. Perfect for a light lunch, a refreshing side, or even a quick snack, this salad feels both nourishing and indulgent all at once, making it an absolute favorite to whip up anytime.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—the ingredients are straightforward yet each brings something special to the table. From the crunch of fresh celery to the creamy depth of gruyere, every component adds a unique layer to this salad’s vibrant character.
- Celery: Crisp and refreshing, celery adds a satisfying crunch and a subtle natural saltiness.
- Apples (Honeycrisp recommended): Sweet with a hint of tartness, these apples add juiciness and vibrant color.
- Gruyere cheese (shaved): Creamy and nutty, this cheese melts slightly on the palate and complements the fruits and veggies perfectly.
- Olive oil: A smooth, fruity base for the dressing that helps coat every ingredient evenly.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the salad with zest and acidity, balancing sweetness beautifully.
- White wine vinegar: Adds mild tang and depth, enhancing the lemon’s freshness.
- Maple syrup: Just a touch to bring a gentle sweetness to the dressing without overpowering.
- Dijon mustard: Provides subtle pungency and helps emulsify the dressing.
- Garlic powder: A delicate hint of savory warmth to round out the flavors.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasoning to lift all the flavors and bring harmony.
How to Make Simple Celery Apple Salad With Lemon Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Lemon Dressing
Start by combining all your dressing ingredients—olive oil, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper—in a small bowl or jar. Whisk them together or shake well with the lid on until fully emulsified. Setting this aside allows the flavors to meld while you prep the salad.
Step 2: Chop the Celery
Trim off any brown or damaged ends from your celery stalks to ensure every bite is crisp and fresh. Then slice the celery into thin, bite-sized pieces to make it easy to eat. Don’t forget to chop up any fresh celery greens you find—they add a lovely herbal touch and cut down on waste.
Step 3: Shave the Gruyere Cheese
Using a vegetable peeler, shave the Gruyere into thin slices that will mingle effortlessly with the other salad ingredients. This technique keeps the cheese light while delivering its creamy, nutty flavor in every forkful.
Step 4: Slice and Dice the Apples
Core and thinly slice your apples, then cut those slices further into bite-sized pieces. Using a crisp apple like Honeycrisp keeps the salad juicy and adds just enough tartness to bounce off the creamy cheese and crunchy celery.
Step 5: Toss and Dress the Salad
In a large salad bowl, combine the celery pieces, apple chunks, shaved Gruyere, and celery leaves. Give the lemon dressing one final whisk before pouring it over the salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then toss everything gently to ensure every piece is kissed with that bright, tangy dressing. This salad is best enjoyed immediately to capture its fresh texture and vibrant flavors.
How to Serve Simple Celery Apple Salad With Lemon Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a few extra celery leaves or a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives can elevate the salad’s appearance and add a subtle earthy note. Toasted nuts such as walnuts or pecans are also fantastic for adding a nutty crunch as a finishing touch.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish, complementing richer main courses with its crisp freshness. It’s also a fantastic side for a picnic or casual lunch alongside crusty bread or a light soup.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this Simple Celery Apple Salad With Lemon Dressing Recipe in individual glass jars or mini bowls for a charming party appetizer. Layer it with mixed greens for added color, or stuff it inside avocado halves for an eye-catching presentation that doubles as a satisfying meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Because of the apples’ natural tendency to brown, it’s best to enjoy this salad fresh. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day, but expect some loss of crunch and vibrancy.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this salad due to its fresh ingredients—celery and apples lose their crisp texture and become watery upon thawing.
Reheating
This salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is unnecessary and not suggested. Enjoy the fresh, crisp textures as they truly shine when unheated.
FAQs
Can I use other cheeses besides Gruyere?
Absolutely! While Gruyere adds a wonderful nutty creaminess, you can substitute with mild cheddar, Manchego, or even feta for a different flavor profile. Just adjust quantities to taste.
What apples work best for this salad?
Honeycrisp is a fantastic choice because of its sweetness and firm texture, but Granny Smith, Fuji, or Pink Lady apples all work well depending on whether you prefer tart or sweet notes.
Is there a vegan version of this Simple Celery Apple Salad With Lemon Dressing Recipe?
Yes! Simply leave out the Gruyere cheese or swap it for a plant-based cheese alternative. The lemon dressing remains totally vegan and delicious.
Can I prepare the salad dressing in advance?
You sure can. The dressing keeps well in the fridge for up to a week. Just whisk or shake it again before using to recombine any separated ingredients.
How can I keep the apples from browning?
Tossing the apple pieces immediately in the lemon dressing helps reduce oxidation, keeping them fresh-looking longer. For extra protection, you can briefly soak sliced apples in a mixture of water and lemon juice before adding them to the salad.
Final Thoughts
This Simple Celery Apple Salad With Lemon Dressing Recipe is a perfect example of how a few humble ingredients can come together to create something truly special. Its refreshing crunch, balanced sweetness, and vibrant dressing make it a delight to serve any time of day. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it one of your personal favorites as well!
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Simple Celery Apple Salad With Lemon Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and simple celery apple salad featuring crisp celery, juicy honeycrisp apples, and shaved gruyere cheese, all tossed in a bright and tangy lemon vinaigrette. Perfect as a light side dish or snack, this salad combines fresh textures and vibrant flavors for an easy no-cook recipe.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 large bunch celery
- 2 medium apples (I used honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup gruyere cheese, shaved
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Lemon Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 lemon, juice only
- 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the lemon vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar with a lid, combine olive oil, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is fully emulsified. Set aside.
- Prepare the celery: Trim off any brown or damaged ends from the celery stalks. Slice the celery thinly into bite-sized pieces. If the celery leaves look fresh and attractive, chop them finely to use as garnish and reduce waste.
- Shave the gruyere cheese: Using a vegetable peeler, shave the block of gruyere cheese into thin, delicate slices for a nice texture and flavor distribution in the salad.
- Prep the apples: Core the apples and slice them thinly. Then cut those slices into bite-sized pieces to match the size of the celery and cheese for balanced bites.
- Toss the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped celery, apple pieces, shaved gruyere, and celery greens. Whisk the dressing one more time and pour it over the salad. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
Notes
- Use honeycrisp or another crisp apple variety for the best texture and sweetness.
- Shaving the gruyere cheese instead of cubing it helps the cheese integrate better throughout the salad.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh as the apples and celery can lose crispness over time.
- You can adjust the sweetness of the dressing by varying the maple syrup quantity to taste.
- For a nuttier flavor, consider adding toasted walnuts or pecans as a topping.
