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If you’re tired of the same old leafy greens doing the tango on your dinner plate, it’s time to crank up your salad game with a little crunchy, tangy, and wholesome magic. Enter the Grain & Celery Salad crowned with a zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette — a combo that’s as refreshing as a cool breeze on a hot day and as nourishing as your great-aunt’s homemade chicken soup (minus the guilt and a dash of quinoa swagger).

Why This Salad Rocks

Grains for the win: Quinoa and bulgur—or whatever tickles your fancy—bring a nutty chewiness and a hearty base that makes this salad more than just a sidekick.
Celery’s secret superpower: That humble celery stalk does more than just add crunch; it packs fiber, vitamins, and a splash of bright, hydrating crunch that keeps things exciting.
Apple Cider Vinaigrette's tangy zing: This dressing isn't just a drizzle; it’s a flavor party. Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy punch while a touch of honey balances the notes, making every bite sing.
Nutrient-packed with a guilt-free vibe: This salad is low in calories but high in satisfaction and keeps your digestion humming — perfect fuel for any time of day.

Pro Tips from The Skinny Fork

Add some crumbled feta or goat cheese if you want to flirt with creamy.
Mix in some dried cranberries or raisins for a little natural sweetness pop.
Keep the nuts on the side if you’re a chia seed or flax seed devotee—sprinkle in your favorites for extra nutrition boom.

This Grain & Celery Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette is perfect as a stand-alone lunch or a stunning side for grilled chicken or fish. It’s an all-star player in the game of healthy eating—no sacrifices, just seriously delicious crunch and zing. Your tastebuds—and your body—will thank you.

Dig in, and crunch away guilt-free!

Grain & Celery Salad + Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Yield: 6

Author: The Skinny Fork (Amanda Plott)

Prep time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

This Grain & Celery Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette is perfect as a stand-alone lunch or a stunning side for grilled chicken or fish.

Ingredients

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

1/2 C. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 C. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Dijon
1 Tbsp. Pure Maple Syrup
1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
Salt & Pepper to Taste

1 1/2 C. Cooked Quinoa
1 1/2 C. Cooked Bulgur Wheat
1 (15 Oz.) Can Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans, Drained
6 Celery Stalks, Chopped
3 Whole Large Carrots, Shredded
6 Tbsp. Dried Cherries
3 Tbsp. Sliced Almonds
3 Tbsp. Pinenuts

Instructions

Place the 1/2 C. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1/4 C. Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Tbsp. Dijon, 1 Tbsp. Pure Maple Syrup, 1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic, and Salt & Pepper to Taste into a blender, food processor, or cup of an immersion blender. Divide evenly among salad prep containers.
Transfer 1/4 C. of the Cooked Quinoa and 1/4 C. Cooked Bulgur Wheat into each container.
Divide the 1 Can Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans evenly among the bowls.
Top each with 1 of the chopped Celery Stalks and half of one of the shredded Carrots.
Finally, add 1 Tbsp. Dried Cherries, 1/2 Tbsp. Sliced Almonds, and 1/2 Tbsp. Pinenuts over each.
Seal with a lid and store in the fridge until ready to enjoy.
Serve on it's on or over some baby kale or spinach!

Recommended Products

Amazon Fresh, Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Amazon Fresh, Apple Cider Vinegar

Yupik Dried Cherries

Nutrition Facts

Calories

352

Fat (grams)

25 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

3 g

Carbs (grams)

29 g

Fiber (grams)

5 g

Net carbs

24 g

Sugar (grams)

12 g

Protein (grams)

5 g

Sodium (milligrams)

90 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

0 mg

Nutritional Claims: Vegan • Vegetarian • Pescatarian • Dairy Free • Egg Free • Milk Free • Peanut Free • Soy Free • Fish Free • Shellfish Free • Pork Free • Red Meat Free • Crustacean Free • Sesame Free • Lupine Free • Mollusk Free • Kosher • Dairy Free Aged