Parmesan Spinach Arugula Salad with Apples and Walnuts

Fresh spinach and arugula topped with sweet apples, earthy walnuts, tangy red onions, and rich shaved parmesan cheese and then topped with a lemon-pepper homemade salad dressing is this Parmesan Spinach Arugula Salad with Apples and Walnuts recipe. It’s an explosion of fresh but mild flavors, making this a salad for all ages!

Our family really enjoys this Parmesan Spinach Arugula Salad with Apples and Walnuts. It’s easy to prepare making it a quick and yummy side salad for family dinners. The delicious apples and zesty dressing won over our six-year-old, who has requested this salad for days. Personally, I love the tart red onion and apple contrast mixed with the peppery homemade dressing. It’s fun to swap out substitutions and find the perfect flavor combination for my family while getting in those much-needed lefty greens and proteins that keep us healthy. This delicious spinach arugula salad is a winner!

How to Make an Easy Spinach Arugula with Apples and Walnuts

As with any salad, preparing the fruits and vegetables takes the longest. For quick lunches and dinners, you can save time making salads by preparing them the day before and assembling them right before serving.

Ingredients in This Spinach Arugula Salad with Apples

• 5 ounces Spinach and Arugula
• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 – 1 apple: sweet apples work best (Pink Lady or Honeycrisp),thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

For the Dressing

• 4 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon coarse pepper

Instructions for a Spinach Arugula Salad with Apples and Walnuts

In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing: extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Set aside. * Using a measuring cup gives you a spout from which to pour.

Start assembling the salad in a medium-large salad bowl. First, layer the spinach and arugula, and top with the apple slices, red onion, shaved parmesan, and walnuts. Drizzle with the homemade dressing. Toss before serving, and enjoy!

Substitutions to Customize a Spinach Arugula Salad

This Spinach Arugula Salad is entirely customizable. If you like a sweet salad, add more apples. For extra protein, add more walnuts. You can substitute another nut and experiment with an array of cheeses.

Apples: Fuji, Red Delicious, and Gala are other sweet apples to try in a spinach arugula salad.

Nuts: Almonds, cashews, and pecans are great nuts that complement salads.

Seeds: Pumpkin and sunflower seeds add flavor and texture to any salad!

Cheese: Feta cheese is a semi-soft crumbly cheese that would be excellent on a spinach salad.

Tips for the BEST Parmesan Spinach Arugula Salad with Apples and Walnuts

Assemble the salad and wait to add the dressing, or serve it on the side to preserve it for longer.

Cut the apples into matchstick slices for another great way to spread out the apple sweetness.

Shave your parmesan with a vegetable peeler for wisps of parmesan.

More Great Salads and Recipes

Soup and Salad is always a winning lunch and dinner combination. Try our famous Hamburger Soup with Frozen Vegetables. It’s flavorful and light but still filling. For an Italian flair, try our Pasta E Fagioli with beef soup or this Italian Meatball and Chees Tortilleni soup. Lastly, this Santa Fe Soup is a seamless blend of zesty flavor and comfort, a mix of tasty taco soup and classic chili. 

This season, snacks and easy appetizers are on the menu for quick get-togethers and holiday parties. This savory 3-Ingredient Everything Bagel Dip recipe goes with various fresh vegetables, chips, and crackers, making it versatile and great for large groups. This rich and creamy Dried Beef Cheese Ball is a quick classic cheese ball recipe made with minced onion, dried beef, and cream cheese. It’s served over your favorite cracker and is perfect for the holidays.

I have a fierce sweet tooth and love a great dessert. This Gooey Chocolate-Carmel Fantasy was one of the first and favorite holiday desserts I made as a teenager. It’s a tasty chocolate crumb crust followed by a creamy caramel and chopped pecan middle and topped with a decadent drizzle of melted chocolate. Mouth-watering and fancy-looking this rich chocolate dessert keeps it simple in the kitchen. It’s a must-try dessert!