Crunchy Celery Apple Salad

Crunchy Celery Apple Salad, a light and refreshingly simple celery salad with crisp apples, radishes, red onion, fresh parsley and mint, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. The perfect way to use up leftover celery!

a colorful celery, apple, cranberry, and herb salad in a white bowl on a table with a white napkin

UPDATE: This recipe was originally posted in September 2018 and was updated with new photos and instructions in October 2020.

Have you ever noticed that when celery is used in a dish the recipe always calls for “1 stalk of celery”…and then you’re stuck with a huge bunch of celery and you have no idea what to make with it? If so, I have the PERFECT salad for you.

If you’re on the fence about making a salad out of celery, let me tell you the reasons you should change your mind:

  • It’s crunchy. Move over sad, wilty salads. This celery, apple, and radish salad is full of texture.
  • It’s easy. Simply chop vegetables, fruit, and herbs and toss with an easy vinaigrette dressing.
  • It’s full of flavor. The mixture of tart celery and radishes, sweet apples and cranberries, and fresh mint and parsley combine to create a bold, fresh salad.

Ready to learn how to make this super simple, super flavorful celery apple salad? Let’s do it!

Celery, an apple, and radishes on a white table.
Ingredients: celery, apple, radishes, cranberries, onion, sunflower seeds, mint, parsley

๐Ÿฅ— How to make a celery salad (step-by-step photos)

1๏ธโƒฃ Step One: Prepare salad ingredients

First chop celery, apple, radishes, and onion into small pieces. The key to a good mixed vegetable salad — especially a salad with very crunchy ingredients — is to cut each vegetable and fruit into uniformly sized pieces so they’re easier to chew.

Next chop parsley and mint, then add the celery, apple, radish, onion, and herbs to a large mixing bowl.

chopped celery, apple, radish, cranberries, herbs, and onion in a glass mixing bowl
Chop all salad ingredients and add to a large mixing bowl

2๏ธโƒฃ Step Two: Prepare lemon vinaigrette dressing

In a small glass mixing bowl or in a glass jar, combine lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper and whisk or shake until well combined.

a glass bowl with vinaigrette dressing and a gold spoon on a blue table next to a chopped salad
Mix together olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt, and pepper

3๏ธโƒฃ Step Three: Add dressing to salad before serving

When you’re ready to serve, drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss until the salad is coated in the dressing.

a hand drizzling salad dressing to a bowl with salad ingredients
Add dressing to salad ingredients

๐Ÿ‘‰ Pro tip: If you’re planning to serve your salad later, add the dressing right before serving so the ingredients keep their crunch and don’t get soggy.

two large wooden spoons in a large salad bowl
Toss salad ingredients to combine

๐Ÿ Ingredient substitutions + variations

There are endless ways to customize this celery apple salad! Here are a few tips and variation ideas:

  • Celery is a must. While most other ingredients in this salad are exchangeable, celery is a foundational ingredient and provides the base for this crunchy salad.
  • Use apples, pears, or other crunchy fruits. Apples are a perfect match for celery’s bite, but pears are a great option as well.
  • Dried cranberries can be switched with raisins, prunes, or apricots. Don’t care for the tang of craisins? Try a sweeter dried fruit like raisins, prunes, or apricots.
  • Fresh herbs. While mint is highly recommended, you could substitute parsley with cilantro for a different flavor.
  • Any nuts or seeds will do. We like sunflower seeds, but pumpkin seeds or nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pistachios would also be delicious in this salad.
  • Get creative with dressings. Any light dressing that doesn’t overpower the salad flavors will do. Try our fall-inspired Maple Bourbon Vinaigrette for a different flavor.
a salad with celery, radishes, onions, apples, and herbs in a white bowl on a white table with a gold fork

โ™ป๏ธ Sustainable kitchen tips + tricks

Make this salad with leftover celery. Have leftover celery stalks that need to be used up? This salad is a great food waste recovery recipe that turns those sad stalks into a tasty salad.

Choose pure organic maple syrup. Always choose organic maple syrup from brands free from additives, chemicals, and pesticides from brands committed to harvesting maple syrup sustainably.

Make enough for meal prep. Because this salad features crunchy produce and no wilted leafy greens, it’s a great choice for meal prep if you add the dressing just before serving. Make once and eat all week!

two white bowls with a celery and apple salad on a blue table

๐ŸŒฑ More simple plant-based salad recipes

Craving more simple salads that are full on flavor? Try out these favorites:

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a salad with celery, radishes, onions, apples, and herbs in a white bowl on a white table with a gold fork

Crunchy Celery Apple Salad Recipe

Kristina Todini, RDN
Crunchy Celery Apple Salad, a light simple celery salad with crisp green apples, radishes, red onion, fresh parsley and mint, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds.
4.86 stars (7 ratings)
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salads + Side Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 163 kcal

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients

  • 4 cups sliced celery from about 6 celery stalks
  • 1 medium apple thinly sliced
  • 1 cup sliced radishes from about 4 radishes
  • ½ cup sliced red onion
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup parsley chopped
  • ½ cup mint leaves chopped
  • โ…“ cup sunflower seeds

Dressing Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Prepare salad ingredients: Toss chopped celery, apple, radishes, onion, parsley, and mint leaves in a large mixing bowl.
  • Make lemon vinaigrette dressing: Combine lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar and whisk or shake until well combined.
  • Add dressing to salad before serving: Drizzle vinaigrette dressing over salad and toss to combine.

Notes

  • Recipe notes: Because of the crunchy nature of celery, apples, and radishes, this salad is a great make-ahead option for outdoor parties and picnics.
  • Recommended tools: Knife set, cutting board, glass mixing bowls
  • Prep ahead: Because of the crunchy nature of celery, apples, and radishes, this salad is a great make-ahead option for outdoor parties and picnics. Slice these ingredients and make the dressing up to two days ahead of time, but don’t add dressing to the salad until just before serving.
  • Leftovers & Storage: This salad will last up to two days in the refrigerator with the dressing already added, but up to 4-5 days if dressing is kept on the side and added only before eating.
  • Nutrition: This salad is a a great side dish meant to be paired with your choice of protein and / or whole grains. It is low in saturated fat, high in fiber, and packs an antioxidant punch from the array of fresh vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats.
  • Recipe Inspiration: Recipe inspired by and adapted from Well + Good’s celery salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 38mgFiber: 4gSugar: 13g
Keyword celery apple salad, celery salad, vegan salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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6 Comments

    1. Thank you! Yes, it was delicious. I am not a huge celery fan usually unless it’s smothered in nut butter, but this combination with apples and cranberries is really delicious.

  1. I made this tonight, with a few minor changes. Less onion, and added a little white balsamic and honey to the dressing. It was delicious! So fresh and perfect for a spring dinner. Served this salad with grilled Morocco salmon, lemon rice pilaf, and asparagus. Thank you!!!!!

    1. Oooh, white balsamic and a little honey would be delicious in this celery salad! I’m glad you liked it, I was inspired by a simple celery salad I had while out and it’s now become one of our warm weather favorites. Thanks for leaving a comment!

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