Easy Apple Pecan Salad Recipe
If you’re looking for a salad that’s anything but boring, this easy apple pecan salad deserves a spot on your table. Crisp apples, crunchy toasted pecans, sweet dried cranberries, creamy feta, and a simple homemade maple Dijon dressing come together for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and fresh. Whether you’re serving it alongside dinner, bringing it to a holiday gathering, or enjoying it as a light lunch, this colorful salad is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again.
More apple recipes to try:
- Homemade Dutch Apple Pie That Tastes Like Grandma’s
- Apple Fritters Recipe: Easy Apple Fritters That Taste Better Than the Bakery
- Why Everyone Is Obsessed with This Apple Dump Cake
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Note from Nell
One thing I always do with this salad is toast the pecans first. It only takes a few minutes, but it makes such a difference in the flavor. I also like using Honeycrisp apples because they’re sweet, crisp, and hold up really well in the salad. If I’m taking this to a gathering, I’ll pack the dressing separately and toss everything together right before serving so the greens stay fresh and crisp.
Easy Apple Pecan Salad
Serves: 4–6
This crisp, fresh apple pecan salad is one of those recipes that works just about any time of year. It’s light enough for lunch, beautiful enough for a holiday table, and pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, pork, or soup. The sweet apples, crunchy pecans, creamy feta, and tangy homemade dressing come together in a salad that’s simple to make but tastes like something from your favorite café.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 cups mixed spring greens
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- ½ cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ small red onion, very thinly sliced
For the Maple Dijon Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Add the spring greens to a large serving bowl.
- Top with the sliced apples, toasted pecans, feta, dried cranberries, and red onion.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Tips for the Best Apple Pecan Salad
- Toss the apple slices with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if you’re prepping the salad ahead to help prevent browning.
- Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor and gives the salad even more crunch.
- Wait to add the dressing until you’re ready to serve so the greens stay crisp.
- Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady apples all work wonderfully.
Easy Variations
- Add sliced grilled chicken for a heartier lunch or dinner.
- Swap the feta for goat cheese or blue cheese.
- Use candied pecans for a sweeter flavor.
- Add sliced avocado for extra creaminess.
- Sprinkle in pomegranate arils during the holidays for a festive touch.
What to Serve with Apple Pecan Salad
This salad pairs well with:
- Grilled chicken
- Herb-roasted pork tenderloin
- Butternut squash soup
- Turkey sandwiches
- Quiche
- Fresh sourdough bread or dinner rolls
Storage
This salad is best enjoyed fresh. If making it ahead, store the dressing separately and add the apples and dressing just before serving. Leftover dressing can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings
Apple Pecan Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Add the spring greens to a large serving bowl.
- Top with the sliced apples, toasted pecans, feta, dried cranberries, and red onion.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Notes
- Toss the apple slices with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if you’re prepping the salad ahead to help prevent browning.
- Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor and gives the salad even more crunch.
- Wait to add the dressing until you’re ready to serve so the greens stay crisp.
- Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady apples all work wonderfully.
- Add sliced grilled chicken for a heartier lunch or dinner.
- Swap the feta for goat cheese or blue cheese.
- Use candied pecans for a sweeter flavor.
- Add sliced avocado for extra creaminess.
- Sprinkle in pomegranate arils during the holidays for a festive touch.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Pecan Salad is one of those recipes that feels a little special without requiring much effort. It comes together quickly, looks beautiful on the table, and pairs well with everything from grilled chicken to holiday dinners. It’s also easy to customize with whatever you have on hand, making it a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
A Few Extra Tips
- For a heartier meal, top the salad with grilled chicken, sliced turkey, or grilled salmon.
- Toast the pecans ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for quick salads throughout the week.
- If you’re serving this for a gathering, keep the dressing separate until the last minute so the greens stay crisp.
- Thinly slice the apples for the best texture and easiest bites.
- Leftover maple Dijon dressing is delicious on spinach salads, roasted vegetables, or as a marinade for chicken.
