15-minute Belgian endive salad recipe! This healthy and delicious endive salad is loaded with apples, goat cheese, walnuts, and a lemon vinaigrette.
This recipe was updated February 2019
Hello, Rhubarbarians! I’m thrilled to be sharing a super easy, yet super unique fall or winter salad using Belgian endive!
This endive salad is an oldie but goodie originally from Global Feasts: Belgium, but it’s held up as a salad that I regularly make! It’s mega crunchy, zingy but creamy, and loaded with fruit, nuts, and cheese. Mmmmm….
What is Belgian endive?
Belgian endive isn’t your average leafy green to use in a salad here in the US. But, I highly recommend it! Belgian endive is a type of chicory that comes in very small heads and stays nice and crunchy (sort of like iceberg lettuce does). It’s perfect for rich and creamy dressings and sweet fruits.
Belgian endive salad
This endive salad is loaded with all the good stuff. Crunchy greens, sweet apples, tangy goat cheese, bitter walnuts, flavorful shallots, and herby parsley. The fruit and nut salads are BIG hitters in our house, this pear, apple, and cheddar spinach salad is a fave. And this grapefruit quinoa salad brightens up any winter day. But, I’m such a fan of the way Belgian endive holds that crunch. No wilted salads here!
More awesome salad inspiration:
Watermelon radish salad with goat cheese and pistachios
Arugula endive salad with honeyed pine nuts
Endive salad with walnuts, pears, and gorgonzola
How to make an awesome endive salad
This endive salad is so quick and easy!
- First, remove the outer leaves from your endive heads and discard, then cut them in half lengthwise.
- Core, halve, and slice your apples (peel if desired too). Then place those in a salad bowl with the walnuts and goat cheese.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together until emulsified or place them in a small mason jar and shake until emulsified. I like the mason jar trick!
- Pour your desired amount of dressing over the salad and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle on fresh parsley and serve. Mmmmm….
How to serve this salad like a pro
Endive is amazing, because it holds it’s shape and can stand a lot of dressing without wilting. So, this salad is an easy one to make ahead of time.
A few things to note if you decide to make this salad ahead:
- Apples will turn brown. You can either dip the apples in lemon juice to keep them from browning, or you can cut them up right before serving.
- You’ll also want to keep the dressing on the side until right before serving so everything stays as crunchy as possible. Keep the dressing in a container with a tight fitting lid and give a good shake right before pouring on the salad.
- This salad can be served as a side dish with your favorite dinner, or can be made a full meal by adding garbonzo beans or other proteins of your choice.
Belgian endive salad with apples and goat cheese recipe
15-minute Belgian endive salad recipe! This healthy and delicious endive salad is loaded with apples, goat cheese, walnuts, and a lemon vinaigrette.
- 4 medium heads Belgian endive outer removed, then halved
- 2 medium fuji or honeycrisp apples cored, halved, and sliced
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp finely minced shallot
- salt and pepper
- fresh parsley
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Combine endive, apples, walnuts, and goat cheese in a large bowl. Set aside.
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Combine vinegar, oil, and lemon juice in a small bowl and whisk until emulsified. Stir in shallot.
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Pour vinegar mixture over endive mixture and toss to evenly coat.
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Season with salt and pepper. Serve with fresh parsley.
Marisa F. Stewart says
All I had to see is that the salad has goat cheese in it and I’m in the front line for this. I like the addition of the crispy apples for that sweet crunch with the delicious Belgian endive. Your vinaigrette dressing is nice and light so it doesn’t mask the flavor. Good job!
Annissa says
There are so many good things in this salad! I love the combination of goat cheese and walnuts with a touch of fruit to add a bit of sweetness. The dressing sounds light and fresh to perfectly complement the flavors in the salt. Yum!
Traci says
This is the perfect salad for spring and I’m already there…even if it’s still technically winter LOL. Gorgeous combination of endive and apples…and I’m always up for goat and walnuts. Thanks for sharing!
Dana says
Apples, walnuts, and goat cheese are one of my go-to combos for salads. You just can’t beat that medley! But I’ve never tossed them with endives and I’m loving this spring-time spin. This would be such a pretty starter when entertaining!
Annemarie says
Endive is favorite of mine and I love how it makes salads interesting again. 🙂 I love the combo you used of the apples, goat cheese, and endive – that’s a classic. I’ll keep your tips in mind and serving, and make sure I put the dressing in a mason jar. A quick shake and it’ll be perfect.
Charity says
My mother in law introduced me to Belgian endive. She made these little salad appetizer boats with some type of Thai peanut dressing. Rocked my world! I’m sure this salad will be delicious too! The sweet apples will go so well with the bitterness of the endive. Saving this for Thanksgiving!
Tracy says
Oooh endive! I never make it but this salad is totally changing my mind about it. It looks so incredible and 15 minutes is exactly what I have with a toddler and a baby!
Debra says
Absolutely adore salad with endive. That bitter taste is right in my sweet spot. This is such an awesome pairing of flavors and textures, and love how simple it is to make.
Julie Menghini says
I love a great salad and this one combines so many ingredients that I love! It’s a pretty salad that reminds me of spring but I have access to everything now. Endive is such a striking ingredient and I never knew it was a type of chicory! The dressing sounds so bright and yummy too!
Gloria says
This is faster than takeout. What a great looking salad. Perfect to take to lunch. Pour a glass of wine and call this dinner too. Sounds like a great plan to me.
genevieve y says
This salad sounds so refreshing and vibrant! Perfect for brightening dark winter days. I love munching on endive- I just can’t get enough of its crunch!
Patricia Bozeman says
Thanks Genevieve! I am ALL about the refreshing salads these days. Spring can’t get here fast enough! 🙂
Tabetha says
YUM!!!!
Jess @ Eating with Alice says
As with all of your recipes, this looks amazing! I’m a big fan of Belgian endives (although I’m pretty sure they’re just called ‘endives’ here in Australia). They’re so nice and crunchy, and the perfect vehicle for eating dips and other yummy things!
Jess xo
http://www.eatingwithalice.com
Patricia Bozeman says
This is the first time I had ever had endive! I’m in love. 🙂