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

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Cuisine: ,
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 6
Best Season: Fall
Dietary: Vegetables, Roots + Plant Forward
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
    Salad
  • 5 oz baby arugula
  • 1 Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apple, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta)
  • ¼ cup thin-sliced red onion (optional)
  • Fresh cracked black or white pepper
    • Rye Croutons
  • 1 cup cubed rye bread
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil or melted butter
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of white pepper
  • Pinch of caraway seed (Optional: Scandinavian flavor boost)
    • Lemon–Honey Dressing
  • 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of white pepper
Instructions
    1. Make the Rye Croutons
  1. 1
    Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. 2
    Toss rye cubes with olive oil/butter, salt, white pepper, and optional caraway seed.
  3. 3
    Spread on a sheet pan.
  4. 4
    Bake 8–12 minutes, tossing once, until crisp and lightly golden.
  5. 5
    Cool completely.
    6. 2. Make the Dressing
  6. 6
    In a jar or small bowl, whisk together:
  7. 7
    olive oil
  8. 8
    lemon juice
  9. 9
    lemon zest
  10. 10
    honey
  11. 11
    Dijon
  12. 12
    salt + white pepper
  13. 13
    Taste and adjust honey or lemon as desired.
    14. 3. Assemble the Salad
  14. 14
    Spread arugula on a large platter or shallow serving bowl.
  15. 15
    Layer thin apple slices on top.
  16. 16
    Scatter red onion (if using).
  17. 17
    Add toasted walnuts.
  18. 18
    Add rye croutons.
  19. 19
    Crumble goat cheese over the warm croutons (dreamy).
  20. 20
    Finish with cracked black or white pepper.
    21. 4. Dress & Serve
  21. 21
    Drizzle the lemon–honey dressing over just before serving
  22. 22
    Toss lightly or leave beautifully layered
  23. 23
    Add a final touch of lemon zest
  24. 24
    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
Read it online: https://swededish.com/recipe/swede-dish-arugula-apple-salad-with-lemon-honey-dressing-rye-croutons/
Abby Phillips
Foodie + Boy Mom