Description
This Cranberry Blueberry Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Dressing is a refreshing and flavorful dish combining tart cranberries, sweet blueberries, crunchy walnuts, and creamy feta cheese. Tossed in a tangy blueberry balsamic dressing with hints of honey and Dijon mustard, it offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Ideal as a light side or a healthy snack, this salad takes only 25 minutes to prepare and serves five.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the Berries: Rinse the cranberries and blueberries thoroughly under cold running water, then set them aside in a colander to drain completely.
- Prepare the Red Onion: Peel the red onion and chop it into small, bite-sized pieces to add sharpness and crunch to the salad.
- Chop the Walnuts: If not already chopped, break the walnuts into small pieces to distribute their nutty flavor evenly.
- Crumble the Feta Cheese: Crumble the feta cheese into small chunks for a creamy, salty contrast in the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and all ingredients are well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Place the drained cranberries and blueberries, chopped red onion, walnuts, and crumbled feta in a medium-sized bowl. Gently stir to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the blueberry balsamic dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the flavorful dressing.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and add more salt or black pepper if needed to balance the flavors perfectly.
- Serve or Refrigerate: Serve the salad immediately for best freshness or refrigerate it for up to an hour to allow the flavors to meld nicely before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm cranberries and blueberries for the best texture and flavor.
- Refrigerate the salad for up to one hour before serving to enhance the flavor blend.
- For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the walnuts before adding.
- Feta can be substituted with goat cheese for a different creamy texture.
- This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal.
- Adjust honey in the dressing to taste if you prefer it sweeter or more tart.
