Meet your new favorite side dish: Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill. This vibrant, tangy, and utterly refreshing salad takes crisp green apples and celery, tosses them with fragrant dill and crunchy walnuts, and brings everything together with a sweet-tart lemon dressing. It’s lively on the palate, stunning in the bowl, and so fast to whip up that you’ll find yourself returning to it all year long—whether for a breezy picnic dish, a light weekday lunch, or a show-off side for your next dinner party!

Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Get ready to fall in love with the short and sweet ingredient lineup for the Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill. Each component has a role to play: some add crunch, others add brightness, and all come together for maximum flavor and freshness.

Green Apples: Their tart snap is the backbone of the salad—be sure to choose firm apples for optimal crunch!
Celery: Adds irresistible crispness and a cool, earthy flavor that balances the sweetness of the apples.
Fresh Dill: The star herb here—dill’s delicate fronds lend a grassy, aromatic note that ties everything together.
Walnuts: For a toasty, nutty crunch; chop them roughly for the best texture contrast.
Lemon Juice: Provides tangy zip and keeps those apple slices beautifully green.
Olive Oil: A good-quality oil adds a lush mouthfeel and melds the flavors.
Honey or Maple Syrup: A subtle drizzle brings gentle sweetness, rounding out the sharper notes.
Salt and Black Pepper: Absolute essentials for drawing out all the bright, punchy flavors.

How to Make Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill

Step 1: Prep the Produce

Begin by thinly slicing your green apples and celery—sharp knife skills here will reward you with elegant, crisp slices that soak up the lemony dressing. Don’t forget to chop the fresh dill and walnuts before you assemble everything; having these prepped means the salad comes together in a flash.

Step 2: Build the Salad Base

In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the sliced apples, celery, chopped dill, and walnuts. Tossing them together now ensures every bite is a perfect mix of fruity, herby, and nutty goodness. The bright green and flecks of dill already start to look irresistibly fresh!

Step 3: Make the Dressing

Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), a pinch of salt, and cracked black pepper in a small bowl. This homemade dressing is ultra quick, but don’t underestimate how much it elevates the Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill—it’s zippy, zesty, and lightly sweet.

Step 4: Toss and Taste

Pour the dressing over your salad base and toss everything gently to coat. Use a wide spatula or toss with clean hands to keep the apple slices intact. Take a quick taste and adjust seasoning, adding a little more salt or lemon juice if needed to make the flavors pop.

Step 5: Serve or Chill

Serve immediately for the crispest texture, or cover and refrigerate for up to an hour. A little resting time will help the flavors meld beautifully—but don’t leave it too long, as apples love to stay fresh and snappy!

How to Serve Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill

Garnishes

Add a final flourish to your Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill by scattering a few extra sprigs of fresh dill or a handful of chopped walnuts over the top. For an elegant touch, a crack of black pepper and some lemon zest will make the flavors sing and brighten the overall look.

Side Dishes

This salad sails alongside just about anything—try it as a companion to grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or flaky white fish for a fresh contrast. It’s also a superstar on a picnic spread, and delicious as a crunchy topping for a simple bowl of soup or a sandwich lunch.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving in individual glasses or small jars for a party-ready starter, or spread over a platter atop a bed of baby arugula and edible flowers for a show-stopping centerpiece. Layer it as a jar salad for meal prep, or wrap it up in lettuce leaves for a crunchy, hand-held snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill, simply transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It stays fresh and crunchy for up to 24 hours, though for best results, enjoy within the same day—it’s all about that irresistible crispness!

Freezing

This isn’t a salad for the freezer—raw apples and celery don’t hold up well to freezing and thawing, as they tend to lose their lovely snap. For maximum flavor and texture, stick to making it fresh and eating it within a day.

Reheating

No need to reheat—Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill is at its best chilled or at room temperature. Simply give it a brief toss again before serving to redistribute the dressing, and enjoy!

FAQs

Can I use a different type Salad

Absolutely! While green apples are classic for their tartness, feel free to try Pink Lady or Honeycrisp for a subtly sweeter twist. Just make sure they’re crispy and firm to keep that irresistible crunch.

Is this salad suitable for vegans?

Yes! If you use maple syrup in place of honey, the Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill is entirely vegan, as well as gluten-free.

How far in advance can I make this salad?

You can prep the ingredients and dressing up to a day ahead, but for the ultimate freshness, toss everything together just before serving. If you’d like to prep early, keep the apples in lemon water to prevent browning until you’re ready to assemble.

Can I substitute the walnuts?

Certainly! Pecans, almonds, or even pumpkin seeds make excellent alternatives if you want a nut-free or just a different flavor. Toasting the nuts or seeds before adding gives an extra layer of flavor.

What are some ways to make this salad more filling?

For a heartier version of Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill, add some cooked quinoa, shredded rotisserie chicken, feta cheese, or even chickpeas. It transforms beautifully from side to main dish in no time at all.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something wonderfully joyful about the Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill. It’s sparkling with fresh flavors, endlessly adaptable, and ready in minutes. Whether you’re hosting friends or just craving something crunchy and cool, give this brilliant salad recipe a try—you might just find it becomes a staple in your kitchen, too!

Green Apple and Celery Salad with Dill Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and crunchy salad featuring the crispness of green apples, the mild flavor of celery, and the aromatic touch of dill, all tossed in a zesty lemon dressing with walnuts for added texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

2 green apples, thinly sliced
4 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Dressing:

2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine sliced green apples, sliced celery, chopped dill, and chopped walnuts.
Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to meld flavors.