There’s something really refreshing about a salad that balances sweet, tangy, and creamy all at once—and that’s exactly why I adore this Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe. It’s got that holiday vibe with cranberries and apples but keeps things light, bright, and totally crowd-pleasing. Trust me, it’s worth making for your next festive gathering or whenever you want a little seasonal magic on your plate.

A white bowl filled with a fresh green salad made of large leafy greens as the bottom layer, topped with small cubes of pale yellow and light red apple pieces spread evenly across the salad. Scattered on top are brown roasted almonds and dark red dried cranberries, with small crumbles of blue cheese adding white with blue veins spots. In the background, a white plate with a wedge of blue cheese and two silver spoons can be seen on a white marbled surface along with a small jar of dressing. A white cloth with black stripes is partially visible at the bottom edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe

Why You'll Love This Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe

I honestly think this salad nails the festive spirit without feeling heavy or complicated. Every bite is a little celebration of flavors—sweet cranberries, crisp apples, and that punch of tangy blue cheese. Plus, it’s so quick to throw together, which means more time enjoying with friends and family.

Simple but Sophisticated: It looks elegant but comes together in just 15 minutes.
Perfect Balance: Sweet dried cranberries and crisp apples play beautifully off bold blue cheese.
Crunchy Texture: Candied almonds add a lovely crunch that keeps your taste buds entertained.
Customizable Flavors: You can tweak the dressing to make it as tangy or sweet as you like.

The dish shows a white bowl filled with fresh green lettuce leaves as the base layer, topped with small red and white apple cubes scattered all over. On top of that is a layer of roasted brown almonds and dark red dried cranberries evenly spread. The final layer includes small chunks of blue cheese dotted across, creating a mix of green, red, brown, and creamy white colors with different textures. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a white cloth nearby and two silver spoons to the top right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe is all in the fresh contrasts—the peppery greens, the mellow sweetness from dried fruit and honey, plus the zingy dressing that brings it all together. When shopping, look for firm apples and quality blue cheese to get those bold flavor moments that elevate this salad.

Flat lay of fresh large Romaine lettuce leaves, a small pile of vibrant baby rocket leaves, a handful of plump dried cranberries, crunchy candied almonds, a wedge of creamy blue cheese, neatly cubed fresh apple pieces, small white ceramic bowls holding smooth Dijon mustard, golden honey, deep red wine vinegar, bright lemon juice, coarse salt and black pepper, and a small white bowl filled with rich olive oil, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Romaine Lettuce: Crisp and sturdy leaves give the salad a great base that holds up well to the dressing.
Baby Rocket (Arugula): Adds a peppery bite that cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
Dried Cranberries: Sweet-tart bursts of flavor add that festive pop in every forkful.
Candied Almonds: I like these for the crunch and subtle caramelized sweetness.
Blue Cheese: The creamy, tangy notes bring depth and contrast—don’t skip this!
Apple (Cubed): Choose a crisp variety like Fuji or Gala for a refreshing crunch.
Dijon Mustard: Helps emulsify the dressing and adds a subtle sharpness.
Honey: Sweetens the dressing naturally—feel free to adjust to your taste.
Red Wine Vinegar: Adds tang and balances the honey’s sweetness.
Lemon Juice: Brightens up the whole dressing and keeps flavors fresh.
Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin for rich, smooth dressing texture.
Salt & Pepper: Essentials for seasoning and enhancing the salad’s flavors.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe is super flexible, and I often tweak it depending on who's coming over or what I have in the fridge. You can easily swap ingredients or adjust the dressing’s tanginess to suit your style.

Go Nutty: I’ve swapped candied almonds with toasted walnuts or pecans for a different crunch flavor, and it’s just as good.
Vegan Twist: Skip the blue cheese and try crumbled tofu or a nut-based cheese alternative—still festive but dairy-free.
More Fruit: For extra sweetness and a jewel-like look, toss in some pomegranate seeds or sliced pears.
Lighten the Dressing: Use apple cider vinegar instead of red wine vinegar and reduce honey for a tangier, less sweet dressing.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Up Your Dressing

I start by mixing the Dijon mustard with honey, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Then, slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking nonstop. This emulsifies the dressing, giving it a lovely creamy texture that coats everything perfectly. Don’t rush this step — a good whisking is key!

Step 2: Prep Your Greens and Fruit

While the dressing is resting, I tear the Romaine into bite-sized pieces and toss it with the baby rocket in a large bowl. The apples should be cubed crisp and fresh—if you like, toss them lightly in lemon juice to prevent browning. This keeps the salad looking fresh and vibrant.

Step 3: Combine with Cranberries, Cheese, and Almonds

Next, add the dried cranberries, candied almonds, and crumbled blue cheese to the bowl—reserving a little of each to sprinkle on top later. Mix gently so you don’t break the cheese up too much but still give a good distribution of all those delicious ingredients.

Step 4: Toss With Dressing and Finish

Pour about half the dressing over the salad and toss gently, making sure everything is coated but not drenched. Then plate it or place it in a serving bowl and finish with the reserved cranberries, almonds, blue cheese, and the rest of the dressing drizzled on top for a beautiful presentation.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, these tips will make your Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe truly shine every time. I’ve learned the hard way that small tweaks can make big differences!

Emulsify the Dressing Thoroughly: Whisk slow and steady while adding olive oil to create a smooth, well-mixed dressing that clings nicely to your greens.
Reserve Some Ingredients for Garnish: Holding back some cranberries, almonds, and blue cheese for topping creates a pretty look and an extra flavor punch.
Use Crisp Apples: Go for varieties like Fuji or Gala—they stay crunchy and don’t get mushy fast, which keeps the salad fresh longer.
Don’t Overdress: Add dressing in stages so you can control how much coats the greens without sogging the salad.

How to Serve Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe

Festive Cranberry Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top this salad with some extra candied almonds and a few whole dried cranberries to make it look festive. A light sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives also adds a lovely fresh aroma that complements the blue cheese nicely.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or ham for a classic holiday spread. It’s also a great side to serve alongside grilled chicken or a hearty vegetable tart for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special touch, I’ve serve this salad in individual glass bowls or pretty mason jars layered with salad and dressing on the bottom. It’s a fun way to wow your guests and makes portioning a breeze at busy gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge, but keep the dressing separate if possible to avoid soggy leaves. I like to add the dressing fresh just before serving leftovers—it keeps everything crisp.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad since the fresh greens and dressing don’t freeze well, but you can freeze extra candied almonds or blue cheese separately if you buy in bulk for future use.

Reheating

This salad is best served fresh and cold, so I don’t reheat it. If you want a warm twist, consider removing the dressing and serving the warm components separately, then toss together before eating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the blue cheese with another type of cheese?

Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, goat cheese or feta are excellent alternatives and add a nice tangy creaminess. Just keep in mind the flavor profile will shift slightly.

How far ahead can I prepare this Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe?

I recommend prepping the dressing and chopping the fruits and nuts a day ahead, but toss the salad and mix in the dressing just before serving to keep the leaves crisp and prevent sogginess.

Are there any gluten-free concerns with this salad?

This salad is naturally gluten-free as long as the candied almonds and dressings don’t have gluten-containing additives. Always check labels if you need to be sure.

Can I add protein to make this a main dish?

Definitely! Grilled chicken breast, roasted turkey slices, or even some toasted chickpeas make perfect protein additions that turn this salad into a satisfying main course.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Cranberry Apple Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe has been a staple at my holiday table for years because it’s reliable, delicious, and always impresses guests without stress. Give it a try next time you want to bring some bright, seasonal flavor to your meal—you'll be glad you did. It really feels like adding a little festive cheer with every bite!