Spicy Blue Cheese Salad with Candied Walnuts & Fresh Orange: A Vibrant Winter Delight

Elevate your salad game with this incredible spicy blue cheese salad, a symphony of flavors and textures that promises to impress. Combining the bold tang of blue cheese, the refreshing burst of fresh orange, and the irresistible crunch of homemade caramelized spicy walnuts, this salad is a true culinary masterpiece. While it involves a few simple steps, we are convinced that the remarkable taste makes every moment worth it. Finished with an effortless, zesty dressing, this recipe is perfect for any occasion, from a cozy winter meal to a vibrant side dish for guests.

Prepare to have your taste buds awakened by this extraordinary spicy blue cheese salad. It’s a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory notes that creates an unforgettable dining experience. The star components – crisp mixed greens, juicy orange segments, pungent blue cheese, and delightful candied spicy walnuts – might sound like an overwhelming combination at first glance. However, the magic lies in how these diverse flavors beautifully complement each other, resulting in a perfectly balanced and incredibly addictive dish.

Far from being overwhelming, this winter power food is a true winner, especially during the colder, grayer months when our bodies crave fresh, nutrient-rich meals. Each bite offers a refreshing zest from the citrus, a sharp kick from the blue cheese, and a warm spice from the walnuts, all brought together by a simple yet effective dressing. Not only is this recipe deliciously fresh, but it’s also packed with essential vitamins, making it a fantastic healthy choice to brighten up your plate and boost your energy levels.

Why This Spicy Blue Cheese Salad is a Must-Try

This salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a culinary journey. The combination of ingredients is carefully chosen to create a symphony of flavors and textures. The peppery warmth of chili-spiced walnuts contrasts beautifully with the cool, creamy blue cheese, while the vibrant orange adds a much-needed sweet and acidic counterpoint. It’s a salad that feels sophisticated enough for entertaining yet simple enough for a weeknight meal. It’s truly a winter salad recipe that will become a staple in your kitchen.

Key Ingredients for Your Vibrant Salad

Crafting this spicy blue cheese salad relies on a few core ingredients, each playing a crucial role in the overall flavor profile. Understanding each component will help you appreciate the balance and even inspire you to experiment with variations.

• Walnuts (or pecans/almonds), Olive Oil, Sugar, Chili Pepper, and Salt: These simple ingredients combine to create the irresistible spicy caramelized walnuts. While it might sound like a complex process, it’s surprisingly easy and adds an incredible textural and flavor dimension. The crunch and sweet-spicy kick of these nuts are essential to the salad’s appeal. Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds if you prefer, and if you’re a heat-seeker, don’t hesitate to add a little extra chili pepper for an intensified spice level.
• Mustard, Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper: These are the foundational elements for our quick and easy homemade dressing. The sharp, pungent flavor of the mustard (Dijon or whole grain works wonderfully) cuts through the richness of the blue cheese and perfectly balances the sweetness of the orange and the spice of the walnuts. The olive oil provides a smooth base, while salt and pepper enhance all the natural flavors. This dressing comes together in mere minutes but makes a significant impact.
• Mixed Lettuce: For this orange salad, a vibrant mixed greens blend is ideal. The variety of red and green colors adds visual appeal, and more importantly, a diverse mix of subtle flavors that won’t overpower the bolder elements of the salad. Using a lettuce type with a strong, predominant flavor, such as arugula (rocket), might be too intense and compete with the blue cheese and walnuts. Opt for softer, milder greens that provide a delicate base for the other ingredients to shine.
• Orange: Fresh orange segments are where this salad truly gets its refreshing “citrus accent.” It’s crucial to prepare the orange by removing the membranes, leaving only the juicy, flavorful flesh. When you bite into a piece of orange, you’ll experience a delightful burst of sweet-tart flavor that brightens the entire salad and provides a juicy contrast to the creamy cheese and crunchy nuts. Navel or Cara Cara oranges are excellent choices for their sweetness and easy segmentation.
• Blue Cheese: The heart of the “spicy blue cheese salad” is, of course, the blue cheese itself. A firm and spicy variety like Blue Stilton is a fantastic choice, offering a robust flavor that stands up beautifully to the other strong components. However, you have the flexibility to choose your favorite. Gorgonzola will offer a milder, creamier profile, while Roquefort will bring a sharper, saltier kick. The key is to select a blue cheese that you enjoy, as it provides that perfect savory, pungent counterpart to the fresh orange and spicy walnuts.

🔪 How to Prepare a Spicy Blue Cheese Salad: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this impressive salad is straightforward. Follow these steps to achieve a perfectly balanced and delicious dish every time.

Step 1: Caramelize the Walnuts. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 180 degrees Celsius). In a medium bowl, combine your walnuts with sugar, chili powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Toss them gently until the walnuts are evenly coated. Spread the coated walnuts in a single, even layer on a baking plate or sheet lined with parchment paper. This ensures they caramelize and crisp up uniformly. Bake for approximately 10 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning. Once lightly golden and fragrant, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely. As they cool, they will become delightfully crunchy, forming the perfect texture contrast for your salad.

Step 2: Prepare Orange Segments and Juice. For the freshest and juiciest orange segments, you’ll want to remove the membranes. First, peel the oranges thoroughly with a sharp knife, removing all the white pith. Then, carefully cut between the membranes to release individual orange segments over a bowl. This technique ensures you get pure, juicy citrus flesh without any bitterness. Make sure to squeeze any remaining juice from the orange carcass into the same bowl; this precious liquid will be incorporated into our dressing later, adding an extra layer of fresh citrus flavor. Set aside the segments and juice for later assembly.

Step 3: Prepare the Mustard Dressing. In the bowl containing your freshly squeezed orange juice, add the olive oil and mustard. Whisk these ingredients together vigorously until well combined and slightly emulsified. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. This simple dressing is the perfect complement, offering a tangy, savory counterpoint that highlights the other strong flavors in the salad. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 4: Assemble the Spicy Blue Cheese Salad. Now for the grand finale! Place the mixed lettuce greens into a large serving bowl. Evenly crumble the blue cheese over the greens. Add the juicy orange segments to the salad. Drizzle the prepared mustard dressing over all the ingredients. Gently toss everything together to ensure the dressing lightly coats the greens and other components, distributing the flavors evenly. Finally, just before serving, scatter the cooled, crunchy caramelized walnuts on top. This healthy and delicious recipe is now complete and ready to be enjoyed! Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Expert Tips and Variations for Your Spicy Blue Cheese Salad

This recipe is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are some tips and variations to make this blue cheese and orange salad truly your own:

• For Extra Spice: If you love a bolder kick, simply add an additional ½ teaspoon of chili pepper (or more, to taste!) to your walnuts before caramelizing them. You could also sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes over the finished salad.
• For a Milder Mustard Flavor: If the sharp taste of mustard in the dressing isn’t quite to your liking, try stirring in 1 tablespoon of sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt) to the dressing. This will mellow the mustard while adding a touch of creamy richness.
• Citrus Alternatives: Don’t have oranges on hand or want to try something different? Grapefruit makes an excellent substitute, offering a slightly more tart and bitter counterpoint that pairs wonderfully with blue cheese and spice. Blood oranges can also add a beautiful color and unique flavor.
• Low-Carb Option: To make this a lower-carb recipe, simply omit the sugar from the candied walnuts, or skip the walnuts altogether. You can replace them with toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a similar crunch without the added carbohydrates.
• Lettuce Choices: While a mixed salad blend is recommended for its balanced flavor and visual appeal, you can certainly experiment with other types of lettuce. Butter lettuce offers a soft, tender texture, while watercress provides a peppery bite that would complement the spicy walnuts. Avoid very strong greens like mature spinach or arugula if you want the blue cheese and orange to be the stars.
• Nut Substitutions: If walnuts aren’t your favorite, feel free to replace them with pecan nuts or almonds for a different but equally delicious crunch. Ensure they are also candied and spiced for that unique flavor profile.
• Blue Cheese Alternatives: As mentioned, Blue Stilton is fantastic, but Gorgonzola (milder) or Roquefort (sharper) are excellent alternatives. For those who aren’t keen on blue cheese but still want a strong, flavorful cheese, a good quality crumbled feta or goat cheese could offer a tangy, salty substitute, creating a different but still delicious citrus salad.
• Add Protein: To turn this into a heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, or chickpeas for a vegetarian protein boost.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

To ensure your spicy blue cheese salad is as fresh and crunchy as possible, it’s best to assemble it just before serving. However, you can prepare some components in advance to save time:

• Caramelized Walnuts: These can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This helps maintain their crispiness.
• Orange Segments and Juice: You can slice the orange parts and collect the juice one day in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This keeps the orange fresh and ready for assembly.
• Dressing: The mustard dressing can also be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Give it a good shake before drizzling over the salad.
• Assembled Salad: Once you’ve combined the lettuce, cheese, oranges, and dressing, the salad should be eaten immediately. The dressing will cause the lettuce to wilt and the walnuts to soften if stored for too long. For the best experience, toss and serve!

This spicy blue cheese salad is truly a delightful and sophisticated dish that brings a burst of fresh flavors to your table. If you’re looking for other salad inspirations to keep your meals exciting, we have a few more delicious suggestions for you:

📖 Recipe

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Spicy citrus salad

Andréa

A spicy citrus salad with a nut and a citrus accent. Somewhat peppery and a strong taste by the addition of the cheese. The flavors complement each other nicely and the salad is fresh and contains many vitamins.

5 of 14 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine Other

Servings 4 persons

Calories 317 kcal

Equipment

• A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C

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Ingredients

• ▢ 100 grams mixed green salad
• ▢ 1 orange
• ▢ 2 teaspoons mustard
• ▢ 5 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ salt and pepper, at taste
• ▢ 55 grams blue cheese
• ▢ 50 grams walnuts , chopped
• ▢ 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ▢ ½ teaspoon sugar
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon red chili pepper
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt

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Metric – US Customary

Instructions

• ▢
  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
• ▢
  Mix the walnuts with sugar, chili, salt, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
• ▢
  Spread them out on a baking sheet and leave them for about 10 minutes in the oven until crispy.
• ▢
  Peel the orange and cut orange wedges above a bowl with a sharp knife. Collect the juice in the bowl.
• ▢
  Mix juice with the mustard, 5 tablespoons of olive oil, and some salt and pepper.
• ▢
  Put the lettuce in a bowl, crumble the Danish Blue and orange segments on top.
• ▢
  Sprinkle the dressing over the salad and toss well.
• ▢
  Serve immediately to show off everything as fresh as possible.

Notes

• Do you want some extra spice? Add ½ teaspoon of chili pepper.
• Do you want a less sharp mustard flavor, add 1 tablespoon sour cream to the dressing.
• You can substitute orange with grapefruit.
• If you want a low-carb recipe, don’t use walnuts in your salad.
• In this salad recipe is a mixed salad used. You can also substitute it with another lettuce like butter lettuce or watercress.
• You can replace the walnuts with pecan nuts or almonds. The blue cheese can be substituted with Gorgonzola or Roquefort.

Nutrition

Calories: 317kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 6gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 373mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 463IUVitamin C: 24mgIron: 1mg

Keyword a winter salad recipe

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