This colorful salad brings crisp apples, tart cranberries, and buttery pecans together in every bite. Tossed with a bright maple Dijon vinaigrette, it comes together fast and feels special on both busy weeknights and holiday tables.
Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad
Equipment
- 1 Large salad bowl
- 1 Skillet for toasting pecans
- 1 Jar with lid for vinaigrette
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Cutting Board
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens baby spinach or spring mix, rinsed and dried
- 1 large apple cored and thinly sliced
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup pecans toasted and roughly chopped
- 0.25 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
- 0.25 small red onion thinly sliced
Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- kosher salt pinch, to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the Salad
- Rinse and dry 5 to 6 cups of greens. Core and thinly slice 1 large apple. Slice a little red onion.
- Warm a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup pecans and toast, stirring, until fragrant and slightly darker, 4 to 6 minutes. Cool, then roughly chop.
- In a jar, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp Dijon, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Seal and shake until glossy.
- Add greens to a large bowl. Top with apples, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped pecans, 1/4 cup crumbled cheese, and a few onion slices.
- Drizzle with vinaigrette to taste and toss gently. Add a pinch of salt and pepper if needed and serve right away.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad
- Fast and fresh: ready in about 15 minutes.
- Balanced flavors: sweet apples, tart cranberries, creamy cheese, and crunchy pecans.
- Staple-friendly: uses pantry ingredients for the vinaigrette.
- Flexible: easy to scale for a crowd or customize with what you have.
Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad Ingredients & Substitutions
- Greens: baby spinach, spring mix, or finely chopped kale. If using kale, massage with a little olive oil to soften.
- Apple: a crisp variety like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji. Pears also work beautifully.
- Dried cranberries: sweet-tart and chewy. Fresh cranberries are very tart; see FAQs for tips.
- Pecans: toast for 4 to 6 minutes until fragrant. Swap with walnuts, almonds, or pepitas.
- Cheese: crumbled feta or goat cheese. Shaved parmesan is lovely too.
- Red onion: thinly sliced for a mild bite. Shallot is a softer alternative.
- Optional add-ins: cooked quinoa, grilled chicken, or crisp turkey bacon for extra protein.
- Maple Dijon vinaigrette: extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. A squeeze of lemon brightens it further.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad
1) Prep the produce
Rinse and dry 5 to 6 cups of greens. Core and thinly slice 1 large apple. Slice a little red onion.
2) Toast the pecans
Warm a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup pecans and toast, stirring, until fragrant and slightly darker, 4 to 6 minutes. Cool, then roughly chop.
3) Shake the vinaigrette
In a jar, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp Dijon, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Seal and shake until glossy.
4) Assemble the salad
Add greens to a large bowl. Top with apples, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped pecans, 1/4 cup crumbled cheese, and a few onion slices.
5) Dress and serve
Drizzle with vinaigrette to taste and toss gently. Add a pinch of salt and pepper if needed and serve right away.
Tips for Success
- Prevent browning: toss apple slices with a little lemon juice.
- Season the greens: a small pinch of salt on the greens makes the flavors pop.
- Dress lightly first: you can always add more vinaigrette, but you cannot take it away.
- Toast nuts fresh: it takes minutes and makes a big flavor difference.
Variations of Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad
- Harvest version: add roasted butternut squash or sweet potato cubes.
- Hearty grains: fold in cooked, cooled quinoa or farro.
- Protein boost: top with grilled chicken, seared salmon, or crisp turkey bacon.
- Extra crunch: add thinly sliced celery or cucumber.
- Creamy twist: swap vinaigrette for a yogurt honey Dijon dressing.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad
- Roast chicken or pan-seared salmon.
- Butternut squash soup or tomato basil soup.
- Turkey sandwich or a simple grilled cheese.
- Warm focaccia or crusty bread.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Make-ahead: store components separately for up to 3 days.
- Vinaigrette: refrigerate in a sealed jar up to 1 week; shake before using.
- Nuts: keep toasted pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week.
- Assembled salad: best enjoyed fresh. If needed, store undressed salad in a container lined with a paper towel for 1 day.
- No reheating needed; serve chilled or at room temperature.
Memories Made Around the Table
I first tossed this together on a chilly evening when the fruit bowl was full of apples. The sweet crunch and that tangy maple dressing turned a simple dinner into something everyone reached for twice.
FAQs
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes. Prep the greens, slice the onion, toast the nuts, and mix the vinaigrette. Slice the apples just before serving and toss everything together at the last minute.
How do I keep the apples from browning?
Toss the slices with 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar, then pat dry before adding to the salad.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries are quite tart. If using them, slice in half and briefly sauté with a teaspoon of maple syrup until they just begin to burst, then cool before adding.
What greens work best?
Baby spinach or spring mix are the easiest. For kale, remove tough stems and massage with a teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt to soften.
Is there a nut-free option?
Swap pecans with roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a similar crunch.
Final Thoughts
Simple ingredients, quick prep, and a bright maple Dijon vinaigrette make this Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad a reliable favorite. Keep the dressing jar-ready and you can build a fresh, satisfying bowl anytime.