Description
A quick, affordable, and seasonal salad featuring crisp mixed greens, sweet apples, and homemade candied pecans, ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups mixed greens (baby spinach and romaine mix)
- 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), cored and diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 cup raw pecan halves
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar and maple syrup, whisking constantly for 1-2 minutes until dissolved and bubbly.
- Add pecans to the saucepan and stir to coat evenly. Spread pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from oven and let cool completely on the pan until hardened.
- While pecans cool, combine apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small jar with a lid.
- Shake vigorously to dissolve ingredients, then slowly drizzle in olive oil while shaking until emulsified. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
- Wash and dry mixed greens. Toss diced apples with a little dressing to prevent browning.
- In a large bowl, combine greens, apples, dried cranberries, and celery. Drizzle with about half the dressing and toss gently.
- Serve immediately, topped generously with the cooled candied pecans.
Notes
Ensure pecans cool completely on the pan to harden properly. Store candied pecans separately from the dressed greens to maintain crunch. Apples can be tossed with lemon juice or vinegar to prevent browning if prepping ahead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the total sal
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 6
Keywords: fall salad, budget-friendly dinner, candied pecans, quick weeknight meals, healthy salad, seasonal recipes, meal prep friendly