Crisp Autumn Apple Pecan Fall Salad Recipe

Crisp autumn days call for a salad that bursts with seasonal bliss, where apple pecan fall salad recipe magic happens on your plate.

Tangy apples dance alongside crunchy pecans, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Sweet maple undertones mingle with earthy greens, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Vibrant ingredients leap from bowl to fork, showcasing the best of fall bounty.

Nutty pecans provide a delectable crunch that complements the soft, tender greens.

Dressed with a light vinaigrette, this salad delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory notes.

Let this recipe become your new autumn favorite, ready to impress at any gathering.

Mixing Apple Pecan Fall Salad in Simple Steps

• Dressing Fusion

Create a flavor-packed liquid by mixing olive oil, lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper inside a mason jar. Seal tightly and shake vigorously until ingredients dance together harmoniously.

• Salad Assembly

Layer crisp mixed greens as your canvas, then sprinkle a vibrant medley of diced apples, juicy pear chunks, ruby-red craisins, crumbly blue cheese, and crunchy salted pecans. Gently toss the ingredients to marry their textures and flavors.

• Serving Style

Present the salad with the zesty dressing nestled alongside, inviting everyone to drizzle their desired amount and create a personalized culinary experience. Each bite promises a symphony of autumn-inspired tastes and textures.

Apple Pecan Salad Tips and Customizations

• Swap blue cheese for goat cheese or feta for a different tangy flavor profile that complements the sweet fruits.
• Chop apples and pears right before serving to prevent browning, or toss them in a bit of lemon juice to maintain their crisp, fresh appearance.
• Add grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, or roasted turkey to transform this side salad into a satisfying main course that fills you up.
• Replace craisins with fresh pomegranate seeds during winter or chopped dried cherries in summer for a vibrant twist that keeps the salad exciting throughout the year.

How to Plate Apple Pecan Fall Salad

• Autumn Harvest Feast: Pair this vibrant salad with roasted chicken or grilled turkey for a complete seasonal meal that celebrates fall flavors.
• Elegant Dinner Presentation: Serve on a large rustic wooden platter, garnishing with extra blue cheese crumbles and whole pecans to create a stunning visual centerpiece for your dining table.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or light Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's sweet and tangy profile, enhancing the overall dining experience with refreshing undertones.
• Brunch Companion: Transform this salad into a weekend brunch highlight by adding grilled shrimp or sliced rotisserie chicken, making it a satisfying and nutritious midday meal option.

Storing Apple Pecan Fall Salad Fresh

• Salad Freshness Strategy: Store mixed greens separately from fruits and dressing to maintain crisp texture and prevent wilting.
• Dressing Storage Solution: Keep homemade vinaigrette in a sealed mason jar inside the refrigerator for up to one week, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
• Ingredient Prep Tip: Chop apples and pears just before serving to prevent browning, or toss with a splash of lime juice to slow oxidation.
• Leftover Magic: Combine remaining salad components in an airtight container with dressing on the side, creating a quick lunch option for the next day's meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 7

Apple Pecan Fall Salad Ingredient Essentials

• Mixed Greens: Crisp, vibrant foundation that adds nutrition and texture to the salad, choose fresh, pre-washed varieties for convenience.

• Apple, Pear: Seasonal fruits bringing sweet crunch and juicy brightness, select firm, ripe specimens with no bruising for optimal flavor.

• Craisins: Chewy dried cranberries offering tangy sweetness, look for plump, glossy berries without excessive sugar coating.
• Blue Cheese: Pungent, creamy cheese adding robust flavor complexity, select artisan varieties for deeper taste profile.
• Salted Pecans: Crunchy nuts providing rich, nutty undertones and protein boost, choose freshly roasted pecans with even salt distribution.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base creating silky dressing texture, opt for extra virgin variety with grassy, fresh notes.
• Lime Juice: Bright acidic element balancing sweetness, select ripe, fragrant limes for maximum zestiness.
• Honey: Natural sweetener adding gentle depth, choose raw, local honey for most authentic flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment creating emulsification and subtle kick, select smooth, high-quality grain mustard.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning enhancers drawing out ingredient nuances, use freshly ground black pepper for optimal taste.

Must-Have Tools for Apple Pecan Fall Salad

• Mason jar: Perfect for mixing and storing dressing smoothly.
• Large salad bowl: Spacious container for tossing ingredients together.
• Sharp knife: Essential for dicing apples and pears with precision.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure honey and mustard.
• Cutting board: Provides stable surface for chopping ingredients.

Autumn Harvest Apple Pecan Salad

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Seasonal warmth fills this apple pecan fall salad with rich autumn flavors. Crisp apple slices, toasted pecans, and tangy goat cheese create a delightful blend that invites you to savor harvest’s essence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups mixed greens
• 1 apple (Jonathan, Fuji, or Gala), diced
• 1 pear, diced
• ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup salted pecans
• ⅓ cup craisins (dried cranberries)
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsps honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Vinaigrette Preparation: Combine lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and seasonings in a sealed mason jar, shaking vigorously until ingredients form a smooth, well-integrated emulsion.
2. Salad Assembly: Create a lush base of mixed greens in a spacious serving bowl, then strategically layer cubed apple and pear to establish a vibrant, textural foundation.
3. Flavor Layering: Disperse craisins and crumbled blue cheese across the salad, introducing sweet-tart bursts and creamy depth while maintaining a balanced visual composition.
4. Nutty Accent: Generously distribute salted pecans over the salad, providing a satisfying crunch and rich, complementary flavor profile.
5. Final Touches: Gently toss the ingredients to ensure even distribution, then serve with the prepared vinaigrette on the side, allowing diners to customize their dressing application according to individual taste preferences.

Notes

• Prevent Browning Hack: Toss apple and pear cubes in lime juice immediately after cutting to maintain fresh, vibrant color and prevent oxidation.
• Cheese Selection Tip: Choose high-quality blue cheese with creamy texture for maximum flavor depth and smooth integration into the salad.
• Pecan Toasting Technique: Lightly toast pecans in dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding to enhance nutty flavor and increase crunchiness.
• Dressing Emulsion Secret: Shake vinaigrette vigorously in sealed jar for 15-20 seconds to create stable, well-blended dressing that coats ingredients evenly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg