Description
This Holiday Honeycrisp Salad combines the crisp sweetness of Honeycrisp apples with dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and creamy goat cheese, all tossed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette. A fresh, festive side dish perfect for holiday gatherings!
Ingredients
For the Salad:
6 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or romaine)
2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup pecans, toasted
⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta, if preferred)
Optional: ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
For the Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking to emulsify.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and red onion (if using).
- Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over the top.
- Dress and Serve:
- Just before serving, drizzle the apple cider vinaigrette over the salad.
- Toss gently to coat and serve immediately.
Notes
To toast pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
For a nut-free version, substitute seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Adjust sweetness in the vinaigrette by adding more honey or maple syrup to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: American