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Delicious Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad Recipe

This Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad is a crisp, refreshing blend of sweet apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans tossed in a light and tangy vinaigrette. Perfect as a side dish for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or weeknight dinners, this salad is as nutritious as it is delicious. Featuring seasonal ingredients, it’s a celebration of autumn and winter flavors in every bite! Fall salad recipe, holiday salad ideas, and easy apple cranberry salad are trending keywords for this dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Salad:
    • 4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, and romaine)
    • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), thinly sliced
    • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
    • 1/3 cup pecans, toasted
    • 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta (optional)
    • 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • For the Dressing:
    • 1/4 cup olive oil
    • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
    • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 1/8 tsp black pepper

 

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing:
    In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined. Set aside.
  2. Assemble the Salad:
    In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, apple slices, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and red onion. If using, sprinkle the goat cheese or feta on top.
  3. Toss and Serve:
    Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy the crisp, fresh flavors!

 

Notes

  • Apple Tip: To prevent browning, toss apple slices in a little lemon juice before adding them to the salad.
  • Pecans Substitute: Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds if desired.
  • Vegan Option: Use maple syrup instead of honey and skip the cheese for a vegan version.
  • Make Ahead: Assemble the salad without the dressing and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Add dressing right before serving.

Keywords: Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad, fall salad, holiday salad recipe, fresh apple salad, Thanksgiving side dish, easy salad recipe.