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Ina Garten Cape Cod Salad Recipe

4.4 from 82 reviews

Ina Garten’s Cape Cod Salad is a vibrant, fresh salad featuring mixed greens, crisp Granny Smith apples, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and creamy blue cheese, all tossed in a tangy, homemade citrus vinaigrette. This salad delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and savory flavors ideal for a light lunch or as a refreshing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • 6 cups mixed salad greens
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, diced
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or Gorgonzola

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Make the Dressing: Whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, kosher salt, and black pepper in a bowl until the mixture is well combined and emulsified.
  2. Toast and Chop Nuts: Toast the walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned. Let the nuts cool, then chop them coarsely.
  3. Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, diced Granny Smith apple, dried cranberries, toasted and chopped nuts, and crumbled blue cheese or Gorgonzola.
  4. Toss and Serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately for the freshest taste and texture.

Notes

  • You can substitute walnuts with pecans according to preference.
  • Blue cheese can be replaced with Gorgonzola for a milder flavor.
  • For a nuttier dressing, use toasted nuts in the dressing or garnish extra on top.
  • Serve immediately to preserve the crispness of the greens and apples.
  • This salad is perfect as a side dish or light main course.

Keywords: Ina Garten salad, Cape Cod salad, mixed greens salad, apple cranberry salad, blue cheese salad, healthy salad recipe, easy salad dressing