Carmel Crunch Celery Salad

When a Caesar salad meets a Waldorf salad = with a lighter, brighter, protein-forward twist.This is the kind of salad you keep “just tasting”… until the bowl is suddenly empty.

Ultra-crunchy celery, sweet apple, cucumber, fresh herbs, and dates are tossed in a creamy Greek-yogurt–based dressing (no mayo here), finished with shaved Parmesan and dill for a bold, savoury bite.

Thanks to Greek yogurt, nuts, and cheese, this salad delivers staying power alongside fibre-rich produce and heart-healthy fats—making it surprisingly filling and perfect for a balanced plate.

Fresh. Crunchy. Addictive.

Servings

Serves 4–6 as a side or light main

Ingredients

Salad

• 1 bunch celery, finely chopped

• 1 large Honeycrisp apple, diced

• 2 cups cucumber, diced

• 1 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped

• Handful microgreens

• 4–6 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped

• ½ cup pecans, chopped

Dressing

• 1½ cups shaved Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup fresh dill, finely chopped

• Juice of 2 large lemons

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tsp maple syrup

Directions

1. Add all salad ingredients to a large mixing bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth and well combined.

3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.

4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

5. Serve immediately, or chill briefly to let flavours meld.

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

• For best texture, add microgreens just before serving.

Swaps & Variations

• Nut-free: Swap pecans for toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

• Herb swap: Try chives or basil in place of dill.

• Extra protein: Top with grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or chickpeas.

• Dairy-free: Use a thick dairy-free yogurt alternative and omit Parmesan (add extra lemon and salt to balance).

Perfect as a side, a lunch base, or topped with your favourite grilled protein.