Ingredients (Serves 4)
Salad
- 2 large Honeycrisp apples, cored and diced
- 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 1 cup red or green grapes, halved
- ¼ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (unsweetened if possible)
High-Protein Dressing
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat or low-fat)
- 1–2 tsp honey or maple syrup (adjust sweetness)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit and nuts:
- In a large bowl, combine diced apples, sliced celery, halved grapes, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries.
- Make the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, honey, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Assemble the salad:
- Pour the dressing over the apple mixture. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and serve:
- Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Optionally, sprinkle extra pecans on top for garnish.
High-Protein Tips
- Protein content: Greek yogurt adds ~10 g protein per ½ cup; ½ cup Greek yogurt for 4 servings = ~2.5 g protein per serving minimum, plus any optional add-ins.
- Extra protein boost: Stir in 2–3 tbsp chopped cooked chicken or cottage cheese for a savory-sweet version.