Apple, Celery, Grape & Pecan Salad
A crisp, sweet-and-tangy salad with Honeycrisp apples, celery, grapes, pecans, and dried cranberries, very similar to the photo.
Ingredients — 6 servings
Salad
- 3 Honeycrisp apples, diced
- 1½ cups seedless red or green grapes, halved
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1–2 tbsp lemon juice
Dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Method
- Dice the apples and immediately toss them with 1–2 tbsp lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Add grapes, celery, dried cranberries and pecans.
- Whisk all dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Pour over the fruit mixture and gently toss.
- Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes before serving.
- Add a few extra pecans and dried cranberries on top.
🌰 Nut information
The recipe contains pecans, which are tree nuts. You can substitute:
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Cashews
For a nut-free version, use roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
If serving someone with a serious nut allergy, check packaged ingredients for allergen/cross-contact information.
❓ Quick Q&A
Can I use regular apples?
Yes. Granny Smith gives a tarter salad; Gala or Fuji makes it sweeter.
Can I skip the mayonnaise?
Yes. Use additional Greek yogurt for a lighter, higher-protein dressing.
Can I make it without honey?
Yes. Use a zero-calorie sweetener or simply omit it.
Can I use fresh cranberries?
Not as a direct substitute—the dried cranberries provide concentrated sweetness and chewiness.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Prepare it several hours ahead and refrigerate. For maximum crunch, add the pecans shortly before serving.
How do I prevent watery salad?
Drain the grapes well and don’t add excessive dressing. Toss just before serving if preparing far ahead.
Is it high protein?
The basic version is moderate-to-low in protein. Using Greek yogurt instead of most/all of the mayonnaise increases the protein.
Is it low-carb?
No. Apples, grapes, honey and dried cranberries all contribute carbohydrates. For lower carbs, reduce the grapes/cranberries and use an unsweetened dressing.
