Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Beautiful balance of bitter, sweet, and nutty flavors.
- Quick and easy to prepare with simple, fresh ingredients.
- Great as a side or a light main dish.
- Versatile with options for vegan or vegetarian diets.
- Adds a pop of color and crunch to your meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: Full measurements and optional ingredients in the recipe card below.)
For the dressing
- 1 tablespoon (oil, assumed olive oil)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon (assumed salt)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
For the salad
- 2 heads radicchio (see note below)
- 2 medium russet apples, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced (or golden apples)
- ½ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
- 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shaved parmesan (optional)
Directions
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and olive oils until smooth and emulsified.
- Prepare the salad: Chop radicchio into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Add sliced apples, toasted walnuts, and spring onions.
- Toss and serve: Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to combine. Top with shaved parmesan if using.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and freshness.
Servings and timing
- Servings: Serves 4.
- Prep time: 10 minutes.
- Total time: 10 minutes.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Best served fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated for 1 day.
- Reheating: Not recommended; serve cold.
FAQs
Can I substitute radicchio?
Yes, radicchio’s bitterness can be replaced with radishes or red cabbage for a similar crunch.
What if I’m vegan?
Use maple syrup instead of honey and skip parmesan or use a vegan alternative.
How do I toast walnuts?
Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring often.
Can I prep the salad in advance?
Prepare ingredients separately and toss with dressing just before serving.
What apples work best?
Russet, golden, or any crisp apple adds sweetness and crunch.
Conclusion
Radicchio Salad with Apples and Walnuts is a fresh, colorful, and flavorful salad that balances bitterness, sweetness, and nuttiness in every bite. It’s a quick and elegant dish perfect for any season.
PrintRadicchio Salad with Apples and Walnuts
This vibrant salad pairs the slightly bitter crunch of radicchio with sweet, crisp apples and toasted walnuts, all tossed in a bright lemon-honey Dijon dressing. Finished with spring onions and optional parmesan shavings, it’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: undefined
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
1 tablespoon (assumed olive oil)
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 heads radicchio
2 medium russet apples, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced (or golden apples)
½ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
1 cup shaved parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and olive oils until smooth and emulsified.
- Chop radicchio into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Add sliced apples, toasted walnuts, and spring onions.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to combine. Top with shaved parmesan if using.
- Serve immediately for best texture and freshness.
