This Apple Wedge Salad deserves a place on your holiday table! Loaded with fresh apples, chopped walnuts, crispy bacon, gorgonzola cheese, and creamy golden balsamic dressing, it’s everything you love about a classic wedge salad… with a delicious fall twist!

This Apple Wedge Salad is loaded with fresh apples, chopped walnuts, crispy bacon, and gorgonzola cheese, then topped with a sweet, creamy golden balsamic dressing! The perfect salad for fall!

Apple Wedge Salad! It’s a little idea I’ve been cooking up for a while, using all my favorite fall flavors, and the end result was even better than I could have imagined. Sweet, crisp apples, creamy gorgonzola cheese, crunchy walnuts, crispy bacon, and the best creamy balsamic dressing. It’s like fall on a plate. In the best possible way.

what you’ll need for this recipe

Lettuce – Lettuce is the base of this salad. Unlike traditional wedge salad which uses iceberg wedges, I used 1 heart of romaine lettuce. You can feel free to substitute iceberg or another variety if you prefer.
Apple – I used 1/2 of an apple, which I chopped into 1/2 inch pieces. Feel free to use any kind of apple you have on hand.
Bacon – Cooked, crumbled bacon adds delicious flavor and a savory element to this salad. I used 2 pieces of bacon. You can also use store bought bacon crumbles as a time saver.
Walnuts – Chopped walnuts add more delicious flavor and a crunchy texture to this salad. I used 2 Tablespoons of chopped walnuts, but you could also use pecans or slivered almonds.
Gorgonzola – I used 2 Tablespoons of gorgonzola cheese, which is a slightly less pungent version of blue cheese crumbles. I love the apple + gorgonzola combo, but if you’re not a gorgonzola fan feel free to substitute feta, goat cheese, Parmesan, cheddar, or any of your favorites.
Onion – 1 Tablespoon of thinly sliced or chopped red onion adds just the right kick to this salad. Feel free to substitute green onions if you prefer.
Dressing – No salad is complete without dressing, and this recipe calls for homemade creamy golden balsamic vinaigrette. You can also use honey mustard, apple cider vinaigrette, balsamic, or any type of dressing you enjoy!

how to make apple wedge salad

Prepare romaine hearts. Prepare the romaine hearts by washing and drying the leaves. (Leave them intact when you do so.) Place them on individual plates.

Add the toppings. Add the chopped apples, pecans, bacon, onions, and gorgonzola cheese. Feel free to adjust the amounts according to your preferences.

Prepare the dressing. Combine the vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together until combined. You can also use a small jar with a lid and shake vigorously to combine.

Dress & garnish. Drizzle salad with vinaigrette as desired. Top with additional bacon crumbles, pecans, or fresh pepper.

prep it in advance

Prep this salad in advance by washing the romaine hearts, cooking and crumbling the bacon, chopping the onions, and chopping the apples (sprinkle them with lemon juice to avoid browning!) Store each ingredient separately in the refrigerator and combine them when you’re ready!

Recipe Variations

Use any of your favorite types of lettuce, including iceberg, butter lettuce, spinach or mixed greens
Add or substitute pears for the apples
Use apple slices instead of chopped apples
Use any type of apple (Granny Smith, Gala, or Golden Delicious would all work well)
Add halved cherry tomatoes
Substitute feta or goat cheese for blue cheese
Substitute pecans, almonds or any type of nuts for the walnuts
Top it with honey mustard, apple cider vinaigrette, blue cheese dressing or balsamic vinaigrette
Make it chopped by chopping the lettuce first

More Fall Salads You’ll Love

Looking for more salads to love this fall? These are some of our favorites!