Cranberry Avocado Walnut Blue Cheese Salad

Ready in just 20 minutes, this vibrant Cranberry Avocado Walnut Blue Cheese Salad is your ticket to a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal. It also makes a fabulous side! It's made with a medley of fresh ingredients greens, ripe avocados, tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and creamy blue cheese. Bursting with an array of flavors, from the sweetness of cranberries to the creaminess of avocados and the sharpness of blue cheese, all topped off with a homemade poppy seed vinaigrette; this tossed salad is a delightful dance of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more!

This Cranberry Avocado Walnut Blue Cheese Salad has been a favorite of mine for more than ten years. With its vibrant colors, exciting textures, and flavor-packed ingredients, this salad is a joy to both prepare and eat. It's a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy elements that will have your taste buds dancing!

First off, let's talk about those candied walnuts. Made with a blend of brown sugar, sea salt, cumin, cardamom, black pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper, these walnuts are a taste sensation in themselves.

Sautéed in olive oil, they offer a sweet and spicy crunch that's absolutely irresistible. Trust me, once you've tried these, you'll be looking for excuses to add them to every salad!

Now, onto the dressing. This isn't just any old salad dressing; it's a symphony of flavors designed to complement our salad perfectly.

The combination of extra virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, and maple syrup creates a sweet and tangy base, while the poppy seeds add a slight crunch. With a kick from minced garlic and mustard powder, this dressing is sure to delight your palate.

Finally, let's not forget about the stars of the show - the salad greens, dried cranberries, blue cheese, and diced avocados.

The greens offer a fresh and crisp foundation, the cranberries provide a sweet-tart contrast, the blue cheese lends a creamy tang, and the avocados bring a buttery richness. Together, these ingredients create a salad that's not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.

So gather your family around the table and enjoy this Cranberry Avocado Walnut Blue Cheese Salad - it's a feast for the senses!

More Salad Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed the Cranberry Avocado Walnut Blue Cheese Salad, then I've got some more delightful dishes for you to try that are just as delicious and easy to whip up!

• First up is the Ranch Pasta Salad, a crowd-pleaser that combines creamy ranch dressing with crisp veggies and hearty pasta, making every bite a picnic in your mouth.
• Next on our culinary journey is the Blue Cheese Bacon Steak Salad, a gourmet twist on salad that pairs juicy, grilled steak with the rich tang of blue cheese and crispy bacon — it's a salad that even the staunchest carnivore will love!
• For a taste of the East, the Asian Quinoa Salad is a must-try. This salad brings together fluffy quinoa, vibrant veggies, and a zesty Asian-inspired dressing that will make your tastebuds do a happy dance.
• Lastly, don't miss out on the Poppy Seed Chicken Salad. This unique dish marries tender chicken with a sweet and tangy poppy seed dressing, creating a refreshing and satisfying meal that's perfect for those warm summer days.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Cranberry Avocado Walnut Blue Cheese Salad

Ready in just 20 minutes, this vibrant Cranberry Avocado Walnut Blue Cheese Salad (single ingredient) is your ticket to a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal. It's made with a medley of fresh ingredients greens, ripe avocados, tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and creamy blue cheese. Bursting with an array of flavors, from the sweetness of cranberries to the creaminess of avocados and the sharpness of blue cheese, all topped off with a homemade poppy seed vinaigrette; this tossed salad is a delightful dance of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time4 minutes mins

Total Time19 minutes mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American, Gluten Free, Healthy

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Servings: 8

Calories: 347kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

Candied Walnuts

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup walnuts

Dressing

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ⅓ cup white balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Salad

• 12 ounces salad greens
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup blue cheese
• 2 avocados peeled and diced

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Walnuts

• Combine brown sugar, sea salt, cumin, cardamom, black pepper and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
• Heat olive oil in a small skillet. Add walnuts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar and spices and cook until the sugar melts, stirring often to prevent burning. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Dressing

• Combine white vinegar, maple syrup, poppy seeds, garlic, mustard powder and sea salt in a jar or blender. Shake vigorously or blend until combined. Add olive oil or chia gel and mix until well combined.

Salad

• To make salad, Toss together fgreens, cranberries and cheese in a large bowl. Add avocado and gently toss with desired amount of dressing. Top with walnuts and serve with additional dressing if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 504mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 604IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg