Crisp Cucumber Apple Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing – Fresh, Bright, and Balanced

🎉 Introduction
This Crisp Cucumber Apple Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing is the kind of fresh, crunchy dish that instantly livens up any meal. Juicy apples and cool cucumber are tossed with herbs and a lightly creamy, tangy-sweet dressing that’s refreshing without being heavy. It’s perfect as a side dish, a light lunch, or a make-ahead salad for gatherings.

The contrast of textures—crisp fruit, creamy dressing, and crunchy nuts—makes every bite satisfying. If you love fresh salads with clean flavors and a touch of sweetness, this one’s a keeper.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Large mixing bowl
• Small bowl or jar (for dressing)
• Whisk or spoon
• Measuring spoons

🛒 Ingredients

Salad Base

• 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 2 large apples, cored and thinly sliced
• ¼ cup red onion, very thinly sliced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

Crunch

• ¼ cup walnuts or almonds, roughly chopped

Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing

• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ⅛ teaspoon coarse salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

These ingredients create a refreshing cucumber apple salad with a smooth, balanced dressing.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prep the Produce

• Thinly slice the cucumber and apples.
• Slice the red onion very thin.
• Chop parsley and dill.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl or jar, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
• Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, add cucumber, apples, red onion, parsley, and dill.
• Toss gently to combine.

Step 4: Dress the Salad

• Pour the creamy honey mustard dressing over the salad.
• Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

Step 5: Add Crunch

• Sprinkle chopped walnuts or almonds on top.
• Give a final gentle toss or leave nuts on top for extra crunch.

Step 6: Serve

• Serve immediately, or chill for 10–15 minutes for extra freshness.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: None
• Total Time: 15 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
• Best enjoyed fresh to maintain crisp texture.
• Do not reheat.

🥄 Variations

• Extra Tangy: Add a little more Dijon mustard or lemon juice.
• Nut-Free: Omit nuts or replace with seeds.
• Herb Swap: Use chives instead of dill.
• Sweeter: Add a touch more honey or maple syrup.
• Lighter: Use only Greek yogurt and skip mayonnaise.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What apples work best?
   Crisp varieties like green or sweet-tart apples work well.
2. Can I make this ahead?
   Yes, but add nuts just before serving.
3. Is the dressing heavy?
   No, it’s light and creamy, not rich.
4. Can kids eat this salad?
   Yes, it’s mild and refreshing.
5. Is this salad gluten-free?
   Yes, naturally gluten-free.
6. Can I skip the onion?
   Yes, it’s optional.
7. Does the apple brown?
   Lemon juice helps prevent browning.
8. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, it scales easily.
9. Is this a main dish?
   It works best as a side or light lunch.
10. What meals pair well with it?
    Grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or sandwiches.

🏁 Conclusion
This Crisp Cucumber Apple Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing is a fresh, flavorful dish that combines crunch, creaminess, and bright citrus for an easy, crowd-pleasing salad.

Adam

Crisp Cucumber Apple Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing – Fresh, Bright, and Balanced

This Crisp Cucumber Apple Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing is the kind of fresh, crunchy dish that instantly livens up any meal. Juicy apples and cool cucumber are tossed with herbs and a lightly creamy, tangy-sweet dressing that’s refreshing without being heavy. It’s perfect as a side dish, a light lunch, or a make-ahead salad for gatherings. The contrast of textures—crisp fruit, creamy dressing, and crunchy nuts—makes every bite satisfying. If you love fresh salads with clean flavors and a touch of sweetness, this one’s a keeper.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Salad Base

• 1 English cucumber thinly sliced
• 2 large apples cored and thinly sliced
• ¼ cup red onion very thinly sliced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped

Crunch

• ¼ cup walnuts or almonds roughly chopped

Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing

• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ⅛ teaspoon coarse salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• These ingredients create a refreshing cucumber apple salad with a smooth balanced dressing.

Equipment

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Large mixing bowl
• Small bowl or jar (for dressing)
• Whisk or spoon
• Measuring spoons

Method

 

Step 1: Prep the Produce

1. Thinly slice the cucumber and apples.
2. Slice the red onion very thin.
3. Chop parsley and dill.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
2. Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

1. In a large bowl, add cucumber, apples, red onion, parsley, and dill.
2. Toss gently to combine.

Step 4: Dress the Salad

1. Pour the creamy honey mustard dressing over the salad.
2. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

Step 5: Add Crunch

1. Sprinkle chopped walnuts or almonds on top.
2. Give a final gentle toss or leave nuts on top for extra crunch.

Step 6: Serve

1. Serve immediately, or chill for 10–15 minutes for extra freshness.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Best enjoyed fresh to maintain crisp texture.

Do not reheat.

🥄 Variations

Extra Tangy: Add a little more Dijon mustard or lemon juice.

Nut-Free: Omit nuts or replace with seeds.

Herb Swap: Use chives instead of dill.

Sweeter: Add a touch more honey or maple syrup.

Lighter: Use only Greek yogurt and skip mayonnaise.

❓ 10 FAQs

What apples work best?
Crisp varieties like green or sweet-tart apples work well.

Can I make this ahead?
Yes, but add nuts just before serving.

Is the dressing heavy?
No, it’s light and creamy, not rich.

Can kids eat this salad?
Yes, it’s mild and refreshing.

Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, naturally gluten-free.

Can I skip the onion?
Yes, it’s optional.

Does the apple brown?
Lemon juice helps prevent browning.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, it scales easily.

Is this a main dish?
It works best as a side or light lunch.

What meals pair well with it?
Grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or sandwiches.

🏁 Conclusion
This Crisp Cucumber Apple Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing is a fresh, flavorful dish that combines crunch, creaminess, and bright citrus for an easy, crowd-pleasing salad.