Crisp Endive Salad - Lemon Juice & Olive Oil Dressing

Say goodbye to boring, soggy salads and hello to a vibrant, satisfying dish that’s bursting with flavor! This Crisp Belgian Endive Salad with Apple, Walnut & Lemon Olive Oil Dressing is an absolute game-changer. Imagine crunchy endive and juicy apples mingling with toasted walnuts, all brought together by a bright, zesty salad dressing with lemon juice and olive oil. It’s the perfect combination of textures and tastes, promising a truly refreshing experience.
You'll love how quickly this salad comes together – it's ready in about 20 minutes! Plus, it's naturally lettuce-free, vegetarian, and gluten-free, making it a fantastic option for almost any diet. Whether you're looking for a light weeknight meal or an elegant side for a holiday gathering, this salad is easy to scale and always a crowd-pleaser. Get ready to elevate your salad game with this simple yet sophisticated recipe, featuring a truly easy lemon olive oil dressing you'll want to put on everything!

Ingredients

• For the Salad:
• 3-4 medium heads Belgian endive, about 1 pound total (halved lengthwise or sliced)
• 1 crisp apple (like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith), thinly sliced
• ½ cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley and/or chives, chopped
• Optional: 2-3 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese, for serving
• For the Simple Lemon Olive Oil Dressing:
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 small lemon)
• Optional: 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, or mild apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, just a touch)
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
• ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• Optional: 1 teaspoon minced shallot or garlic

Directions

1. Toast the Walnuts Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) or place a dry skillet over medium heat. Spread the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet or in the skillet. Toast for 5-7 minutes in the oven, or 3-5 minutes on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until they are fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn them! Once toasted, remove them from the heat and let them cool completely. This ensures they stay nice and crisp in the salad.
2. Mix the Lemon Olive Oil Dressing In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the fresh lemon juice (and optional splash of vinegar), Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup (if using), salt, pepper, and minced shallot or garlic (if using). Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while continuously whisking until the dressing is emulsified and creamy. Give it a taste and adjust as needed – you might want a little more lemon for brightness, a pinch more salt, or a tiny bit more sweetness to balance the flavors. This easy lemon salad dressing is versatile and can be made in advance!
3. Prep the Endive and Apple Trim the root ends off the Belgian endive heads and remove any outer leaves that look bruised or damaged. Rinse the endive thoroughly under cool water and pat it very dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. For a beautiful presentation and easy eating, you can either slice the endive crosswise into ½-inch thick rounds or halve/quarter them lengthwise. Thinly slice your crisp apple. If you're not serving immediately, you can toss the apple slices in a tiny bit of lemon juice to prevent them from browning.
4. Toss and Serve In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepped endive, sliced apples, toasted walnuts, and fresh herbs (parsley and/or chives). Pour in just enough of the lemon olive oil dressing to lightly coat all the ingredients. Gently toss everything together using tongs or clean hands, being careful not to bruise the delicate endive leaves. Taste again and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual plates. If you're using optional cheese, sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese over the top right before serving for an extra touch of flavor and elegance. Enjoy this crisp and refreshing lettuce free salad immediately!