Swede Dish Arugula–Apple Salad with Lemon–Honey Dressing & Rye Croutons

Servings: 6 Total Time: 25 mins Difficulty: Beginner
A crisp, Nordic-inspired autumn salad with peppery arugula, sweet apples, creamy goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and golden rye croutons tossed in a bright lemon–honey dressing.
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Swede Dish Arugula–Apple Salad with Lemon–Honey Dressing & Rye Croutons

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 25 mins
Servings: 6
Best Season: Fall

Description

This Scandinavian-American salad balances sweet, crunchy, creamy, and fresh. Peppery arugula pairs beautifully with tart-sweet apples, toasted walnuts, rye croutons, and crumbled goat cheese — all tied together with a sunny lemon–honey dressing. A perfect side for Thanksgiving Smörgås, Christmas dinners, or cozy fall gatherings.

Ingredients

Cooking Mode Disabled

Salad

Rye Croutons

Lemon–Honey Dressing

Instructions

1. Make the Rye Croutons

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Toss rye cubes with olive oil/butter, salt, white pepper, and optional caraway seed.
  3. Spread on a sheet pan.
  4. Bake 8–12 minutes, tossing once, until crisp and lightly golden.
  5. Cool completely.

2. Make the Dressing

  1. In a jar or small bowl, whisk together:
  2. olive oil
  3. lemon juice
  4. lemon zest
  5. honey
  6. Dijon
  7. salt + white pepper
  8. Taste and adjust honey or lemon as desired.

3. Assemble the Salad

  1. Spread arugula on a large platter or shallow serving bowl.
  2. Layer thin apple slices on top.
  3. Scatter red onion (if using).
  4. Add toasted walnuts.
  5. Add rye croutons.
  6. Crumble goat cheese over the warm croutons (dreamy).
  7. Finish with cracked black or white pepper.

4. Dress & Serve

  1. Drizzle the lemon–honey dressing over just before serving
  2. Toss lightly or leave beautifully layered
  3. Add a final touch of lemon zest
  4. Serve immediately.
Keywords: swede dish arugula apple salad, nordic salad, rye crouton salad, goat cheese apple salad, lemon honey dressing, swedish american salad, fall salad recipe, thanksgiving salad idea, autumn arugula salad, scandinavian side dish
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Abby Phillips Foodie + Boy Mom
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