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Easy Fall Harvest Salad with Apples and Pecans

fall harvest salad with apples and pecans - featured image
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A quick and easy fall salad with crisp apples, buttery pecans, sharp cheddar, and a tangy maple vinaigrette. Perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups (about 5 ounces) mixed salad greens
  • 2 medium (about 300 grams total) apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji recommended)
  • 1 cup (about 100 grams) pecans (raw or lightly toasted)
  • 4 ounces (about 115 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or crumbled
  • 1/3 cup (about 40 grams) dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dressing first. In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified. Set aside.
  2. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, shaking frequently, until fragrant. Let cool.
  3. Wash and dry the salad greens thoroughly.
  4. Core and chop the apples into thin slices or 1/2-inch cubes. Leave the skin on.
  5. Cut the cheddar cheese into small cubes or crumble with your fingers.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the greens, apples, toasted pecans, cheddar, and dried cranberries.
  7. Drizzle with half the dressing and toss gently. Add more dressing as needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, toss the salad just before serving. Keep dressing separate if making ahead. Apples can be tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning. Pecans can be toasted in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes for a more forgiving method.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall salad, harvest salad, apple pecan salad, easy salad, Thanksgiving salad, quick salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/easy-fall-harvest-salad-with-apples-and-pecans/