Apple celery salad is a classic combination that gets a delightful upgrade with the addition of crunchy hazelnuts. This vibrant salad features a bed of peppery arugula tossed with crisp celery slices, sweet apple slices, and a generous handful of toasted hazelnuts.
A simple balsamic dressing ties everything together, creating a symphony of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors in every bite. The combination of fresh, seasonal produce and toasted nuts makes it a visually stunning addition to any table.
![Apple Celery and Hazelnut Salad ready to serve.](https://smellslikedelish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/apple-celery-hazlenut-salad-final3.jpg)
Why You'll Love This Salad Recipe
We've taken the refreshing crunch of celery and the sweet-tart pop of apples and added a touch of sophistication with toasted hazelnuts and a homemade balsamic dressing.
This vibrant salad is a perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken, roasted fish, or can even stand on its own as a light and satisfying lunch.
- Easy & Elegant: This salad comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a last-minute side dish.
- Fresh & Flavorful: The combination of sweet apples, crisp celery, peppery arugula, and crunchy hazelnuts creates a delightful flavor and textural experience.
- Versatile: This salad can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a delicious starter.
Ingredients Needed
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Fresh, high-quality ingredients come together to create a flavor and textural masterpiece. Arugula provides a peppery base, sliced red onion adds a touch of bite, and the toasted hazelnuts lend a delightful nutty richness.
For The Salad
- Arugula: This peppery green provides a delightful base for the salad and adds a touch of sophistication.
- Celery: Crunchy and refreshing, celery adds a wonderful textural contrast and a touch of natural sodium.
- Apples: Sweet and slightly tart, apples balance the flavors and add a burst of freshness. Choose a variety like Honeycrisp or Gala for the best results.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a subtle bite and a beautiful pop of color to the salad.
- Hazelnuts: Toasted hazelnuts add a delightful nutty crunch and a touch of richness to the salad.
- Balsamic Dressing: Choose your favorite store-bought sugar-free balsamic dressing, or try making your own with diabetic-friendly ingredients.
Homemade Balsamic Salad Dressing
- Dijon Mustard
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper to taste
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make This Apple Celery Salad
This apple celery and hazelnut salad is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring easy to obtain, everyday ingredients. It comes together in just minutes and is a fantastic option for busy weeknights or when you're craving a light and flavorful meal.
So, grab your favorite apples, celery, and hazelnuts, and get ready to whip up a salad that's both refreshing and satisfying!
Toast The Hazelnuts
- Toast the hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and golden brown, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Roughly chop the toasted hazelnuts.
- Place arugula in the bottom of a large salad bowl or onto individual salad plates.
Slice and Prepare The Apples
- Core and thinly slice the apple. To prevent browning, you can toss the apple slices with a tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Add sliced apples to the individual salad plate with arugula or the large bowl of arugula.
Layer The Salad
- Top the sliced apples with thinly sliced red onions on top of the fresh peppery arugula.
Prepare Balsamic Salad Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Top each individual salad plate, or the large salad bowl with chopped hazelnuts.
- Finish with homemade or store bought balsamic dressing. If preparing one large salad, toss with dressing just prior to serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this apple celery salad recipe.
- You can substitute baby spinach for the arugula, or use a mix of both for a textural variation.
- Walnuts or pecans can be used in place of hazelnuts.
- For an extra layer of flavor, crumble some blue cheese or goat cheese over the salad.
- Add a touch of sweetness with dried cranberries or cherries.
- If you don't have balsamic vinegar, a simple lemon vinaigrette can be used as a substitute.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this apple celery salad recipe:
- Toasting the hazelnuts brings out their rich, nutty flavor and adds a delightful textural contrast to the salad.
- Ripe apples offer the best flavor and sweetness for this salad. Look for Honeycrisp, Cosmic, or Granny Smith for outstanding flavor and texture.
- A light drizzle of dressing is all you need to coat the salad without weighing it down.
Serving Suggestions
This apple celery and hazelnut salad pairs well with grilled chicken, salmon, or a creamy quiche. It's also a perfect accompaniment to a summer barbecue or picnic spread. It can also be served as a light and refreshing lunch on its own.
It's also a perfect addition to a potluck or summer barbecue.
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- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin with Carrots
- Moo Ping (Thai Pork Skewers)
Storage and Reheating
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh. However, you can store leftover salad (without the dressing) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day.
- The dressing can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Granny Smith apples offer a tart flavor that complements the sweetness of the dressing. Honeycrisp or Fuji apples are other delicious options.
Tossing the apple slices in a little lemon or lime juice after chopping can help slow down browning.
Yes, you can whisk together the dressing ingredients and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also makes a GREAT marinade fro grilling meats!
Absolutely! Grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp can be added to transform this salad into a complete meal.
More Delish Ideas
Apple Celery Salad with Hazelnuts
Equipment
- Shallow Salad Bowl
Ingredients
For the Salad Base
- ½ cup Hazelnuts toasted, roughly chopped, divided
- 2 cup Arugula
- 2 large Red apples sliced thinly
- ¼ cup Red onions sliced thinly
- 6 large Celery stalks sliced
- Sea salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Homemade Balsamic Salad Dressing
- ¼ cup Olive oil extra virgin
- 2 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 tablespoon Honey
- Salt pepper to taste
- ¼ Black pepper fresh cracked or coarsely ground
Instructions
- Toast hazelnuts per instructions at bottom of recipe. Set aside.½ cup Hazelnuts
- Place arugula in the bottom of a large salad bowl or onto individual salad plates.2 cup Arugula
- Add sliced apples, red onions, celery, and ⅔ of the toasted hazelnuts. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.2 large Red apples, ¼ cup Red onions, 6 large Celery stalks, Sea salt, Black pepper
Make The Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, a pinch of salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.¼ cup Olive oil, 2 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard, 2 tablespoon Honey, Salt, ¼ Black pepper
- If dressing individual salad plates, provide a small bowl of dressing at the table so they can add their own dressing.
- Serve from the large salad bowl onto four plates, or serve the individual salads at each place setting. Sprinkle the remaining toasted hazelnuts between the four servings.
Notes
- Toast the hazelnuts for a deeper and richer flavor. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Slice the apple and red onion thinly for a more delicate and even distribution of flavors throughout the salad.
- Toss the salad gently to avoid bruising the arugula and apple slices.
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