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A fresh, crisp, and flavorful salad featuring sweet apples, crunchy pecans, creamy goat cheese, mixed greens, and a homemade maple Dijon vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or holiday salad.

Recipe Overview

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (optional for toasting pecans)
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Salad

6 cups mixed salad greens (spring mix, spinach, or arugula)
2 medium Honeycrisp or Gala apples, thinly sliced
½ cup pecan halves, toasted
4 oz (115 g) goat cheese, crumbled
¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup pomegranate seeds (optional)

Maple Dijon Dressing

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Equipment Needed

Large salad bowl
Small mixing bowl or jar with lid
Whisk
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Dry skillet (for toasting pecans)

Instructions

Step 1: Toast the Pecans (Optional)

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
Add pecans.
Toast for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant.
Remove and allow to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

Whisk together:

Olive oil
Apple cider vinegar
Lemon juice
Maple syrup
Dijon mustard
Garlic powder
Salt
Pepper

Set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl combine:

Mixed greens
Apple slices
Red onion
Dried cranberries
Toasted pecans

Add the goat cheese on top.

Step 4: Dress and Serve

Drizzle the dressing over the salad.
Toss gently until evenly coated.
Garnish with pomegranate seeds if desired.
Serve immediately.

Chef Tips

Slice apples just before serving to prevent browning.
Toss apple slices with a little lemon juice for extra freshness.
Toasting pecans enhances their flavor and crunch.
Add the goat cheese last to keep it from breaking apart too much.

Optional Add-Ins

Grilled chicken
Turkey breast
Grilled shrimp
Avocado slices
Candied pecans
Bacon crumbles
Blue cheese instead of goat cheese
Pear slices instead of apples

Storage

Refrigerator

Store undressed salad for up to 2 days.
Keep dressing separate until ready to serve.

Dressing

Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutritional Information (Approximate Per Serving)

Calories: 340
Protein: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 23 g
Fat: 26 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Cholesterol: 15 mg
Sodium: 250 mg
Fiber: 5 g
Sugar: 15 g

Allergen Information

Contains

Milk (Dairy): Goat cheese
Tree Nuts: Pecans
Mustard: Dijon mustard

Does NOT Naturally Contain

Peanuts
Wheat/Gluten
Eggs
Soy
Fish
Shellfish
Sesame

Note: Always check packaged ingredients (especially goat cheese, dried cranberries, and Dijon mustard) for potential cross-contact if preparing the salad for someone with food allergies.

Nut Information

⚠️ This recipe contains tree nuts (pecans).

To Make It Nut-Free

Replace the pecans with one of these alternatives:

Roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
Roasted sunflower seeds
Crispy roasted chickpeas
Crunchy gluten-free croutons
Toasted oats

Always verify that substitute ingredients are processed in a nut-free facility if serving someone with a severe nut allergy.

Variations

Apple Walnut Goat Cheese Salad
Pear & Goat Cheese Salad
Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad
Autumn Harvest Salad
Apple Feta Pecan Salad
Chicken Apple Pecan Salad
Kale Apple Goat Cheese Salad
Apple Blue Cheese Walnut Salad

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&S)

Q: Which apples are best for this salad?
A: Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith all work well depending on whether you prefer sweeter or more tart flavors.

Q: Can I prepare it ahead of time?
A: Yes. Prep the ingredients ahead, but keep the dressing separate until serving.

Q: Can I use another cheese?
A: Yes. Feta, blue cheese, shaved Parmesan, or fresh mozzarella are delicious alternatives.

Q: How do I keep apples from turning brown?
A: Toss the slices with a little fresh lemon juice before adding them to the salad.

Q: Can I make this vegan?
A: Yes. Use a plant-based goat cheese alternative or omit the cheese, and ensure the maple syrup is pure maple syrup.

Q: Can I use bottled dressing?
A: Absolutely. A balsamic vinaigrette, apple cider vinaigrette, or raspberry vinaigrette pairs nicely.

Q: Can I add protein?
A: Yes. Grilled chicken, turkey, shrimp, salmon, or chickpeas make it a complete meal.

Q: Is this salad gluten-free?
A: Yes, as written. Just verify that all packaged ingredients, including Dijon mustard and dried cranberries, are certified gluten-free if needed.

Q: Can I use candied pecans?
A: Yes. Candied pecans add extra sweetness and crunch, but they will increase the sugar content.

Q: What pairs well with this salad?
A: It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted turkey, tomato soup, butternut squash soup, crusty bread, or a light pasta dish.

Apple Pecan Goat Cheese Salad