Description
A crisp and satisfying fall salad featuring Honeycrisp apples, toasted pecans, creamy goat cheese, and a sweet-tangy maple vinaigrette. Perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups mixed salad greens (about 5 ounces)
- 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
- ¾ cup pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 small shallot, minced (optional)
Instructions
- Toast the pecans: Place chopped pecans in a small dry skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly for 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant and slightly darker. Remove immediately to a plate to cool.
- Make the maple vinaigrette: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake to combine. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking constantly (or add to jar, seal, and shake vigorously) until thick and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside.
- Prep the apples: Core apples and slice thinly (about ⅛-inch thick). Leave skin on. If not serving immediately, toss with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Assemble the salad: Place mixed greens in a large salad bowl. Add sliced apples, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, crumbled goat cheese, and red onion (if using).
- Dress and toss: Drizzle about half the vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently with salad tongs or hands until evenly coated. Add more dressing as needed until lightly coated but not drowning.
- Serve immediately: Garnish with extra pecans or cranberries if desired. Best eaten right after dressing.
Notes
Toast pecans low and slow to avoid burning. Don’t overdress the salad; start with half the vinaigrette. Slice apples just before serving to prevent browning. Use cold greens for best crunch. Layer ingredients before tossing for even distribution. For make-ahead, store components separately and dress just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 2 c
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 6
Keywords: apple pecan salad, maple vinaigrette, fall salad, harvest salad, easy salad recipe