If you love a salad that actually tastes exciting, this Arugula Walnut Cranberry Salad is about to become your go-to. Peppery fresh arugula, crunchy toasted walnuts, sweet dried cranberries, and creamy cheese come together in a perfectly balanced bowl that feels restaurant-worthy but takes minutes to make at home.

Whether you're hosting a holiday dinner, planning a weeknight meal, or need a fresh side that doesn't feel boring, this salad delivers bold flavor, beautiful texture, and simple, wholesome ingredients you can trust.

At Avdaye, we add lots of tips in all of our recipes – because we are a home cook without any formal training, and we find we are more confident making dishes when we understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. Our goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Make Walnut Cranberry Salad With Arugula

This Arugula Walnut Cranberry Salad combines peppery baby arugula, crunchy toasted walnuts, sweet dried cranberries, and creamy cheese tossed in a simple, bright vinaigrette. It's a quick, elegant side dish suited to Thanksgiving, Christmas, dinner parties, or everyday meals when you want something fresh and flavorful. Ready in minutes and endlessly customizable, this salad brings color, crunch, and balance to any table.

Arugula Cranberry Walnut Salad Ingredients

To make this recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:

Balsamic vinegar (2 ½ tbsp) – rich, sweet, and tangy balsamic vinegar is the solid base for this dressing. The better quality the better!
Raspberry jam (2 tsp) – use high quality jam since this will be the main flavor for the dressing.
Sea salt (¼ tsp) – some sea salt in the dressing will help season all the ingredients and draw out their flavor.
Black pepper – fresh ground pepper adds some spice to the dressing.
Olive oil (½ cup) – olive oil has a slight bitter flavor and adds some fat to the dressing, it is the solid oil to distribute the dressing over the salad ingredients.
Arugula (8 cups) – arugula has a slightly tart, spicy, and peppery flavor. It is available most of the year and can be grown in the fall and spring. If you cant find arugula you can substitute spinach.
Candied walnuts (1/2 cup) – crushed candied walnuts add a wonderful sweetness and nuttiness that will balance out the intensity of the blue cheese. You can use plain roasted walnuts if you prefer.
Cranberries (¼ cup) – dried cranberries add a tart flavor that will contrast the sweetness of the nuts and creaminess of the cheese.
Gorgonzola cheese (5 oz) – crumbled gorgonzola has a sharp, salty, creamy, and piquant flavor. You can substitute another blue cheese variant if you prefer.

Steps to Make Arugula Cranberry Walnut Salad

Once you've gathered your ingredients, we will use this process:

Make Dressing

In a small bowl combine the dressing ingredients. Slowly add the olive oil while whisking quickly, set aside.

Combine

Add the arugula, candied walnuts, cranberries, and gorgonzola cheese to a large bowl. Toss then add the dressing according to your taste, enjoy immediately. If you are planning to enjoy the salad later wait to add the dressing till before serving.

Kitchen notes

Use Fresh Ingredients: Start with fresh and high-quality ingredients. Fresh arugula, crisp apples, and plump cranberries will make a noticeable difference in flavor and texture.

Wash and Dry the Arugula: Ensure that the arugula is thoroughly washed and dried. Excess moisture can dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy. Use a salad spinner or pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel.

Balance the Flavors: Achieve a balance of sweet, tart, and savory flavors. The sweetness of the cranberries and apples should contrast with the slightly peppery and bitter notes of the arugula. Adjust the sweetness by adding more or fewer cranberries.

Toasted Walnuts: Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet or in the oven for a few minutes until they become fragrant and slightly golden. Toasted walnuts add a richer, nuttier flavor and a delightful crunch.

Dress Before Serving: To keep the salad crisp, add the dressing before serving. This prevents the arugula from wilting and maintains its freshness.

Taste and Adjust: Always taste the salad after adding the dressing. Adjust the seasoning, acidity, or sweetness as needed. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can brighten up the flavors.

Add Protein: If you want to turn the salad into a main course, add protein sources like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make it more satisfying and filling.

Chill the Ingredients: For a refreshing twist, chill the salad ingredients before assembling. This can be especially nice on a warm day.

Consider Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh herbs like basil, mint, or parsley can bring a burst of freshness and an additional layer of flavor to your salad.

Serve it with

This salad is versatile and goes well with soup or a meat main. It is also a wonderful lunch or snack! Try these favorite dishes with this sharp and tangy salad:

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Arugula Salad FAQs

Can we use a different type of cheese?

For cheese you can substitute cambozola or another blue cheese variety

How do we keep this salad fresh?

The best way to keep it fresh is to wait to add the salad dressing until right before serving.

What other dressings can we use for this arugula walnut cranberry salad?

If you don't want to use the raspberry vinaigrette, you can try a honey mustard or another balsamic based vinaigrette.

Can we make arugula salad ahead of time?

Yes, leave the dressing off till you are ready to enjoy it!

What else can we add to arugula walnut cranberry salad?

Other option add-ins are sliced pear, apple, red onion, or even some grilled chicken.

Can we make arugula walnut cranberry salad an entree?

Yes! We like to do this by adding some grilled chicken or your protein of choice.

Ingredients

2 ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp raspberry jam
¼ tsp sea salt
? tsp black pepper, fresh ground
½ cup olive oil
8 cups arugula
½ cup candied walnuts
¼ cup dried cranberries
5 oz gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Method

In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, jam, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil then set aside.
Combine the arugula candied walnuts, cranberries, and gorgonzola cheese in a large bowl. Add dressing according to your taste, enjoy immediately.