Watercress Salad
A light and refreshing watercress salad made with crisp apples, ripe pears, toasted almonds, and a creamy honey mustard dressing. Perfect as an elegant side dish, this salad balances peppery greens with sweetness and crunch.
Print
Pin
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 cups fresh watercress washed and trimmed
- 1 green apple cored and cut into thin matchsticks
- 1 pear cored and cut into thin matchsticks
- ⅓ cup almonds toasted and roughly chopped
Honey Mustard Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon whole-grain seeded mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash and trim the watercress, removing any thick or tough stems. Set aside.
- Slice the apple and pear into thin matchsticks. Place the sliced fruit in a bowl of ice water to prevent oxidation while preparing the remaining ingredients.
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before chopping.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the watercress, drained apple and pear slices, and toasted almonds. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
- Prepare the dressing by adding the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and salt to a small jar or bowl. Shake or whisk until fully emulsified.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss lightly to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
This watercress salad is naturally gluten-free. To ensure it remains suitable for a gluten-free diet, verify that the mustard and mayonnaise used are certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain additives or be processed in shared facilities.