Looking for the perfect summer salad that combines sweet, crunchy, and fresh flavors all in one bowl? This blueberry walnut salad recipe is exactly what you need to brighten up your dining table. I've been making this vibrant salad for years, and it never fails to impress guests at barbecues, potlucks, and family dinners.
What makes this blueberry walnut salad recipe so special is its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The juicy blueberries burst with natural sweetness, while toasted walnuts add a satisfying crunch. Combined with crisp mixed greens and a tangy lemon dressing, this blueberry walnut salad recipe creates a refreshing dish that's both nutritious and delicious.
Why This Summer Salad Will Become Your Go-To Recipe
This blueberry walnut salad recipe stands out from other summer salads because it's incredibly versatile and packed with superfoods. Blueberries are known as one of nature's most powerful antioxidant sources, while walnuts provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids that support brain health. When you combine these nutritional powerhouses with fresh greens, you get a salad that's as good for your body as it is for your taste buds.
The beauty of this blueberry walnut salad recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Whether you're serving it as a light lunch, a side dish for grilled chicken, or bringing it to a summer gathering, this salad always delivers. Plus, it takes less than 15 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something healthy and satisfying.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Fresh Produce
- Mixed baby greens (spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
- Fresh blueberries, washed and dried
- Toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Goat cheese or feta cheese, crumbled
For the Lemon Dressing
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh lemon juice
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins
- Sunflower seeds for additional crunch
- Dried cranberries for extra sweetness
- Fresh mint leaves, chopped
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare Your Ingredients
- Wash and thoroughly dry your mixed greens using a salad spinner or paper towels
- Rinse the fresh blueberries and remove any stems or damaged berries
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant
- Thinly slice the red onion and set aside in cold water to reduce sharpness
Make the Perfect Lemon Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and honey
- Add Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to taste
- Whisk vigorously until the dressing is well combined and slightly thickened
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed
Assemble Your Blueberry Walnut Salad
- Place the mixed greens in a large salad bowl
- Scatter the fresh blueberries evenly over the greens
- Add the toasted walnuts and drained red onion slices
- Crumble the goat cheese on top for a creamy finish
Dress and Serve
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired
- Drizzle the lemon dressing over the salad just before serving
- Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly
- Serve immediately while the greens are crisp and fresh
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Wash, dry, and prepare all salad ingredients before assembly.
- Step 2: Make the Perfect Lemon Dressing
Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, honey, and Dijon mustard.
- Step 3: Assemble Your Blueberry Walnut Salad
Layer greens, blueberries, walnuts, onion, and cheese in a bowl.
- Step 4: Dress and Serve
Drizzle dressing, toss gently, and serve fresh.
Expert Cooking Tips
- Getting the perfect blueberry walnut salad recipe requires attention to a few key details that make all the difference.
- Toasting Walnuts for Maximum Flavor Always toast your walnuts before adding them to the salad. This simple step brings out their natural oils and creates a deeper, nuttier flavor that complements the sweet blueberries perfectly.
- Keeping Greens Crisp Wash your greens well ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator wrapped in paper towels. This removes excess moisture and keeps them crispy for hours.
- Dressing Timing Add the dressing just before serving to prevent the greens from wilting. If you're making this salad for a party, keep the dressing separate until the last minute.
- Blueberry Selection Choose firm, plump blueberries that are deep blue in color. Avoid berries that are soft, wrinkled, or have a dull appearance, as they won't hold up well in the salad.
- Cheese Temperature Let your goat cheese or feta come to room temperature before crumbling. This makes it easier to break apart and prevents it from becoming too crumbly in the salad.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- This versatile blueberry walnut salad recipe can be customized to fit different dietary needs and taste preferences.
Protein Additions
- Transform this side salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken breast, salmon, or chickpeas. For vegetarians, try adding quinoa or hemp hearts for extra protein and texture.
Nut Alternatives
- If you can't find walnuts or have allergies, pecans, almonds, or pine nuts work beautifully in this blueberry walnut salad recipe. Toast them the same way for the best flavor.
Cheese Variations
- Swap the goat cheese for crumbled blue cheese, fresh mozzarella, or even a sharp cheddar. Each brings its own unique flavor profile to complement the sweet blueberries.
Seasonal Fruit Swaps
- During winter months when fresh blueberries are expensive, try dried blueberries, fresh strawberries, or even pomegranate seeds for a similar burst of sweetness and color.
Green Options
- Mix up your greens with baby kale, butter lettuce, or even massaged kale for a heartier texture. Each green brings different nutritional benefits and flavors.
Equipment Recommendations
- Creating the perfect blueberry walnut salad recipe requires just a few essential tools that every kitchen should have.
- Large Mixing Bowl A wide, shallow salad bowl allows you to toss the ingredients gently without bruising the delicate blueberries and greens.
- Salad Spinner This tool is essential for properly washing and drying your greens, which is crucial for a crisp salad that doesn't get soggy from excess water.
- Small Whisk A small whisk helps emulsify the lemon dressing properly, creating a smooth, well-combined mixture that coats the salad evenly.
- Sharp Knife A good chef's knife makes quick work of slicing the red onion thinly and chopping the walnuts to the perfect size.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Make-Ahead Strategies
- This blueberry walnut salad recipe is perfect for meal prep when done correctly. Wash and dry your greens up to 3 days ahead, storing them in airtight containers lined with paper towels.
Dressing Storage
- The lemon dressing can be made up to one week ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a good shake before using, as the ingredients naturally separate.
Component Storage
- Keep all salad components separate until serving time. Store walnuts in an airtight container, blueberries in the refrigerator, and cheese properly wrapped to maintain freshness.
Leftover Management
- If you have leftover dressed salad, it's best consumed within 24 hours. The greens will soften, but the flavors will meld beautifully for a different but still delicious experience.tand up well to freezing for X days/weeks/months.
Grandma's Secret That Changes Everything
Here's the game-changing secret that elevates this blueberry walnut salad recipe from good to extraordinary: macerate half of your blueberries with a pinch of sugar and lemon zest 30 minutes before assembling the salad. This technique releases the natural juices and creates a beautiful purple syrup that naturally flavors the entire dish.
The second secret involves the walnuts. After toasting them, toss the warm nuts with a tiny drizzle of honey and a pinch of sea salt. This creates candied walnuts that add an incredible sweet-salty contrast to your blueberry walnut salad recipe. These two simple steps transform an already delicious salad into something truly memorable that guests will ask about for years to come.
FAQ
Do walnuts and blueberries go together?
Absolutely! Walnuts and blueberries create a perfect flavor combination in any blueberry walnut salad recipe. The mild, earthy taste of walnuts complements the sweet-tart flavor of blueberries beautifully, while the crunchy texture contrasts nicely with the juicy berries.
Are blueberries and walnuts good for you?
Yes, both blueberries and walnuts are nutritional powerhouses. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, while walnuts provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Together in this blueberry walnut salad recipe, they create a superfood combination that supports brain health and reduces inflammation.
Is walnut salad good for you?
Walnut salad is excellent for your health when made with fresh ingredients like in this blueberry walnut salad recipe. Walnuts provide healthy fats, fiber, and protein, while the mixed greens add vitamins and minerals. This combination supports heart health and provides sustained energy.
What pairs well with blueberries in a salad?
Besides walnuts, blueberries pair wonderfully with goat cheese, feta, spinach, arugula, pecans, and balsamic vinaigrette. The key is balancing sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, which this blueberry walnut salad recipe does perfectly with its lemon dressing and cheese combination.
Perfect Pairings for Your Next Meal
This refreshing blueberry walnut salad recipe pairs beautifully with so many dishes, making it a versatile addition to your recipe collection. The bright, fresh flavors complement grilled meats perfectly, while the nutritious ingredients make it substantial enough to serve alongside lighter fare. Whether you're planning a summer barbecue or looking for a healthy weeknight dinner option, this blueberry walnut salad recipe delivers every time.
For your next gathering, consider serving this salad alongside our Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad Recipe for a perfect balance of fresh and hearty flavors. The creamy pasta salad provides a nice contrast to the light, crisp textures in the blueberry walnut salad recipe. For a more sophisticated dinner party, pair it with our Citrus Beet Salad Recipe to create a stunning array of colorful, nutrient-dense salads that will impress your guests and nourish their bodies.
With love and fresh flavors
By Lisa Johnson💛
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Blueberry Walnut Salad Recipe
Blueberry Walnut Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl Wide enough to toss salad without bruising greens
- 1 Salad spinner For washing and drying greens thoroughly
- 1 Small whisk To emulsify the lemon dressing
- 1 Chef's knife For slicing onion and chopping walnuts
- 1 Small skillet To toast walnuts evenly
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups mixed baby greens spinach, arugula, or spring mix
- 1.5 cups fresh blueberries washed and dried
- 1 cup toasted walnuts roughly chopped
- 0.5 unit red onion thinly sliced
- 4 oz goat cheese or feta cheese crumbled
Lemon Dressing
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and dry greens, blueberries, toast walnuts, slice onion.
- Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Layer greens, blueberries, walnuts, onion, and cheese in a large bowl.
- Drizzle dressing over salad, toss gently, and serve fresh.
Notes
- Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Leave a Reply