Print

Crispy Cranberry Pecan Fall Harvest Salad

crispy cranberry pecan fall harvest salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy fall salad featuring toasted pecans, tart cranberries, crisp apples, and tangy cheese over mixed greens with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups mixed greens (baby spinach and arugula)
  • 1 cup pecans (raw)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup feta or goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add pecans in a single layer without oil.
  2. Toast pecans, stirring constantly, until golden brown and fragrant (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat immediately and let cool completely on a plate.
  3. Wash and dry mixed greens thoroughly. Slice apple into wedges or cubes and thinly slice red onion.
  4. Optional: Soak sliced red onion in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow flavor, then drain and pat dry.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine greens, apple, and red onion.
  7. Pour half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
  8. Top with toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and crumbled cheese.
  9. Drizzle with remaining dressing if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Toast pecans carefully as they burn quickly. Remove from heat before they look fully done as they continue to cook from residual heat. For meal prep, store dressing separately to keep nuts crispy. If using raw pecans, toasting is highly recommended for flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall salad, cranberry pecan salad, easy salad, healthy dinner, vegetarian recipe, balsamic vinaigrette, toasted nuts

Find it online: https://bakebeam.com/crispy-cranberry-pecan-fall-harvest-salad-6-best-easy-recipes/