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Harvest Apple Pecan Salad with Easy Maple Vinaigrette

harvest apple pecan salad - featured image
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A crisp and refreshing salad featuring Honeycrisp apples, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy-sweet maple vinaigrette. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups mixed salad greens (180g)
  • 2 large Honeycrisp apples (about 300g each)
  • 1 cup pecan halves (100g)
  • ½ cup dried cranberries (60g)
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (75g)
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (30g)
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (45ml)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5ml)
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (60ml)
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (1.5g)
  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (0.5g)

Instructions

  1. Toast the pecans: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add pecan halves in a single layer. Toast for 3-5 minutes, shaking occasionally, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool on a plate.
  2. Make the maple vinaigrette: In a small jar or bowl, combine maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk to combine. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  3. Prep the apples: Wash apples, cut into quarters, remove cores, and slice into thin bite-sized pieces (about ¼-inch thick). Toss with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning if desired.
  4. Prep the onion: Slice red onion thinly. For a milder flavor, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
  5. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine salad greens, sliced apples, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and red onion. Sprinkle feta cheese on top. Drizzle with half the dressing and toss gently. Add more dressing as needed.
  6. Serve immediately: Divide among plates or bowls. Garnish with extra pecans or cranberries if desired. Serve right away for best texture.

Notes

For best results, toast pecans fresh and dress the salad just before serving. Store dressing separately for meal prep. Apples can be tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple pecan salad, harvest salad, maple vinaigrette, fall salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://crispcraving.com/harvest-apple-pecan-salad-with-easy-maple-vinaigrette/