I’m a firm believer that every BBQ or party should have at least a few healthy choices available for guests to nosh on. No one wants to show up and only be served mayo-loaded potato salad, overly salted potato chips, hot dogs, cake from the grocery store and cantaloupe that tastes like it’s out of a GMO factory.
Okay, maybe those are only the parties I’ve been to. Whomp whomp.
Still, it just might time to step it up a notch with an outrageously good salad loaded with fresh fruit, bright greens, toasty nuts and a to die for balsamic dressing. Wouldn’t you agree?
This salad was based off a recipe we enjoyed while we were back in Pensacola, Florida last November. We stopped by SoGourmet after a wine and cheese tasting and the chef delighted us with his famous SoChopped salad. At that point I felt as though I might actually burst, but decided that a few bites of the salad was required to be both appreciative and graceful. After all, he did make it for us.
5 minutes later the entire salad was completely GONE. Tony and I literally forked our way through a giant bowlful with zero regrets. Between bites we kept asking each other, “How is this salad SO good?”
I thought maybe we were in a delirious food coma. I mean, could a salad really be THAT good?
I wouldn’t know for sure until we made it back home and I attempted to recreate the salad myself.
Turns out I wasn’t crazy. The salad surprised us with delight and flavor the second time we enjoyed it too, so of course I had to dub with the ultimate fruit, cheese and nut salad name. Just because.
Wanna know what else this salad is? Versatile.
Try it with peach and blueberries. Or perhaps juicy strawberries. Add in a little avocado if that’s your thing. Switch up the nuts to almonds or pecans.
If you make this recipe, be sure to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram, or leave a comment below to let me know how you liked it! xoxo!
More delicious salad recipes to try:
Chicken Kale Waldorf Salad with Avocado & Goat Cheese
Avocado Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
Butternut Squash and Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Toasted Almonds + Goat Cheese
One Pot Moroccan Chickpea Quinoa Salad
Roasted Sweet Potato & Arugula Salad with Turmeric Honey Mustard Yogurt Dressing
Ambitious Kitchen
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125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
The Ultimate Fruit, Cheese & Nut Salad
Ingredients
- For the balsamic vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the salad:
- 5 oz organic baby spinach or spring greens (about 1 package)
- 2 small organic apples, cut into thin slices
- 1 cup grapes, sliced lengthwise
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta
- 1/2 cup toasted walnut halves
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and dijon mustard together until smooth and well combined.
- In a large bowl, toss lettuce, apples and grapes together. Pour dressing over the fruit and lettuce and toss again to combine. Top salad with feta crumbles and toasted walnuts. Serve immediately. Salad serves 4.
Recipe Notes
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Photography by: Sarah Fennel
I needed a salad for a BBQ that I attended tonight. I always have success with AK recipes so I went ahead and made this salad, even though I’d never had it before. THANK GOODNESS I DID! It’s fabulous! People told me all night how much they enjoyed it. This will definitely be a go-to for our house and for parties!
YAY! I’m so happy you all loved this one, Kenzie!!
I actually had this CRAY-CRAY loaded salad with salmon, apples, mango, quinoa, edamame, curried cashews and a citrus vinaigrette on the side last night. I was so hungry that I ate it in one go and was stuffed! I think adding fruit into a savory salad now is an amazing idea–this is wonderful!
oh looks like a super delicious salad. I make a similar one with pomegranates. Love my salad time. I grow up thinking salad is boring but now its my fav meal!
That Salad was wonderful and great to see Cheapest Grocery Online
Fruit, nuts, and cheese mixed into a summer salad? Yes please. I need to make this ASAP.
That salad looks amazing!
This salad is a dream!! Love all the flavors, Monique!
I personally don’t really like fruit in my salads but this does sounds very nice! x
Ariadna || RAWR BOWS
Yes, I will have to bring this along to our family’s 4th of July barbeque. And you are spot on with the blueberry and peach suggestion. Especially with a more traditional crowd. ?Watermelon might be my trial fruit, though. Mmmmm. Thanks for the healthy BBQ encouragement.
as is it sounds perfect for fall (probably bc of the apples), but like you said, i bet it would be so good with summer fruit! i’m thinking melon or nectarines or cherries (:
I’ve been making this salad for years – add red onions for extra zing. I always get asked for the “recipe” but kind of feel its just whatever nut/fruit I have on hand. Feta is key.
I’m not sure if you’re going to Italy on your Europe trip, but if you do, you MUST order a fruit and cheese board because this salad reminds me of a fruit, cheese, and nut platter we had with some wine. Allllll the wine. Such a delicious recipe Monique!