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!
You know how there are some things that sound better in theory than they are in practice? We have several of them in our lives, but one of the main ones right now involves FaceTime. When it comes to FaceTime, I have always had mixed feelings. On the one hand, what a fun way to keep in touch with people! Especially people like grandmas and grandpas, or aunts and uncles, or cousins. There’s nothing my kids love more than Face Timing family. At least in theory. But when it comes to practice, it’s often another story!
When it comes to practice, no one actually wants to hold the phone, or pause what they’re doing, or have a conversation that lasts more than a few minutes. And then there’s Myla – who does want to hold the phone and does want to have a long-lasting “conversation” – but doesn’t know how to not hang up on whoever she’s talking to! She grabs the phone and runs off with it…..and then proceeds to hang up about 7 times before we finally call it quits. Yes, some things are just better in theory.
But. Every now and then you run across something that’s good in theory and even better in practice…..like this 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, and unlike traditional wedge salad which uses iceberg lettuce, 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. 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. Not an onion fan? Feel free to omit.
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
- Top romaine heart with remaining salad ingredients.
- Prepared dressing by combining all ingredients in a small mason jar and shaking vigorously.
- Drizzle salad with dressing as desired.
Recipe Variations
- Use any of your favorite types of lettuce
- Add or substitute pears for the apples
- Use any type of apple (Granny Smith, Gala, or Golden Delicious would all work well)
- 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, or balsamic vinaigrette
- Make it chopped by chopping the lettuce first
more fall salads you’ll love
- Fall Harvest Salad
- Brussels Sprout Salad
- Apple Walnut Salad
- Apple Brie Salad
- Cranberry Apple Pecan Salad
- Pear Walnut Gorgonzola Salad
- Apple Pecan Salad
- Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Apple Wedge Salad
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!
Ingredients
- 1 romaine heart
- 1/2 apple, chopped
- 2 pieces cooked, crumbled bacon
- 2 Tablespoons chopped walnuts
- 2 Tablespoons gorgonzola cheese
- 1 Tablespoon thinly sliced red onion
Creamy Golden Balsamic Dressing
- 3 Tablespoons mayo
- 1 Tablespoon light olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon golden balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 Tablespoon honey
- pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Top romaine heart with remaining salad ingredients.
- Prepared dressing by combining all ingredients in a small mason jar and shaking vigorously.
- Drizzle salad with dressing as desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 402Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 434mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 4gSugar: 12gProtein: 9g
Sammie says
This apple wedge salad looks amazing. With 2 apple trees full of fruit in our garden this is the perfect way to use some of them up. Thank you for such a great recipe. Sammie
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks so much, Sammie! I hope you enjoy it!!
Jess says
This looks delicious! I love a good wedge salad and I haven’t had one in a while! I have to try this recipe soon especially when the apples are fresh! I don’t like to FaceTime – good for her grandparents and grandkids but that’s about it in my opinion!
Cathy Trochelman says
I’m not a huge fan of Face Time either…..I find it awkward and I feel bad doing anything else while I’m talking!!
Happy Valley Chow says
What a lovely salad with awesome flavors, perfect fall salad! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I never remember to use Face Time. I don’t know why, but I need to do it more!! And this salad too. Perfection !
Amy @Very Culinary says
Goodness, Cathy! DELICIOUS!!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Love everything about this salad! Seriously, it is so pretty and refreshing. I would probably use goat cheese because I am still working on bringing myself to love blue cheese, but otherwise, perfection!
Heather Cheney | heatherlikesfood.com says
I love this salad! It took me a while to be a bleu cheese fan but I’m all in now!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wedge salads have always been a favorite of mine – this one looks SO good! I wish so much I had this for dinner right now!
Angie says
Wow, that looks fantastic! You have a real talent for food display and photography. I’m sure it’s just as delicious as it looks.
Sheena @ Tea and Biscuits says
What a delicious looking salad!, And I love your photos too, especially the one with the dressing pouring onto the salad 🙂
Laura O |Petite Allergy Treats says
Lol, FaceTime is sooo one of those things that never seems to work out. But this salad is just perfect, love the use of apples in here. Gorgeous!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I’m not a fan of FaceTime either. It always turns into a circus! I can’t believe Myla is big enough to run off with the phone! This salad looks completely amazing. I would love to have it for dinner, Cathy.
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
Wow, that looks super-healthy and uber tasty!!!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
Omgosh! I could dive right into this salad!
M.Adeel Khan says
That’s yumm <3 nd seems best to have it in my day routine. I make vegi salad for lunch but only with few veg ingredients that includes cucumber, onion, garlic, tomato, cabbage, green or black neat olive, cos lettuce nd little olive oil just to smooth the vegs. Best for those who are trying to lose weight or those who remain stable 🙂
Love to practice your recipes specially the breakfast menus <3
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet says
FaceTime has been a blessing to us because it allows the kids to see their grandparents every week who live in Italy. On the other hand they don’t want to sit around the iPad long enough to talk. They want to say hi and move along quickly. This is my kind of salad!
Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner says
Cathy, you always make the best salads that I want to devour! Another winner!
Cathy Trochelman says
Yay! Thanks, Deb!
Crissy says
I loved this salad so much! The flavors tasted so good together! I hate raw red onions so I soaked them in water for a few minutes and they were perfect. I couldn’t find golden balsamic at HEB so I used a bottled champagne vinaigrette. I can’t wait to make this one again.
Juliana Fendez says
This salad is delicious! We loved it!!! Definitely making it again!
Andrea M Simon says
How many servings would this make?
Cheryl May says
How many people will this salad serve?
Cathy Trochelman says
It’s made with one romaine heart, so I’d say it would serve 1-2 people.