This delicious apple, pecan, and blue cheese salad is a perfect mix of sweet, crunchy, and creamy flavors. Quick to make and packed with nutritious ingredients, it’s an easy meal or side dish. With simple pantry staples like Dijon, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar, you can whip up the tangy dressing in minutes!
Recipe Ingredients:
- 12 ounces salad greens (spring mix)
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
- 6 ounces blue cheese chunks
- 2 whole apples, cored and sliced very thin
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (heaping) Dijon
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (or more to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Apple, Pecan and Blue Cheese Salad?
- Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, dried cherries, pecans, blue cheese, and apple slices.
- Make the dressing: In a small jar, add olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Secure the lid and shake well until fully emulsified.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle a small amount of dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Taste and add more dressing if needed.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy fresh as a light meal or a flavorful side dish!
Recipe Tips:
- Use fresh, crisp apples: Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best crunch and a balance of sweetness and tartness. Soft apples can make the salad mushy.
- Toast the pecans for extra flavor: Lightly toast the pecans in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes to bring out their natural sweetness and crunch. Let them cool before adding to the salad.
- Crumble the blue cheese yourself: Pre-packaged crumbles can be dry. Buy a block of blue cheese and break it into chunks for a creamier texture and richer taste.
- Dress the salad just before serving: Pouring the dressing too early can make the greens wilt. Toss it in right before eating to keep everything fresh and crisp.
- Adjust the dressing to your taste: If you like it tangier, add more apple cider vinegar. If you prefer it sweeter, increase the maple syrup slightly. Taste and tweak as needed!
How To Store Leftovers?
Let the leftover salad sit at room temperature for a few minutes before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Keep the dressing separate if possible to prevent the greens from getting soggy.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 220
- Total Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 350mg
- Potassium: Data not available
- Total Carbohydrate: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 12g
- Protein: 2g
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Apple, Pecan and Blue Cheese Salad
Description
This delicious apple, pecan, and blue cheese salad is a perfect mix of sweet, crunchy, and creamy flavors. Quick to make and packed with nutritious ingredients, it’s an easy meal or side dish. With simple pantry staples like Dijon, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar, you can whip up the tangy dressing in minutes!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, dried cherries, pecans, blue cheese, and apple slices.
- Make the dressing: In a small jar, add olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Secure the lid and shake well until fully emulsified.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle a small amount of dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Taste and add more dressing if needed.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy fresh as a light meal or a flavorful side dish!
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp apples: Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best crunch and a balance of sweetness and tartness. Soft apples can make the salad mushy.
- Toast the pecans for extra flavor: Lightly toast the pecans in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes to bring out their natural sweetness and crunch. Let them cool before adding to the salad.
- Crumble the blue cheese yourself: Pre-packaged crumbles can be dry. Buy a block of blue cheese and break it into chunks for a creamier texture and richer taste.
- Dress the salad just before serving: Pouring the dressing too early can make the greens wilt. Toss it in right before eating to keep everything fresh and crisp.
- Adjust the dressing to your taste: If you like it tangier, add more apple cider vinegar. If you prefer it sweeter, increase the maple syrup slightly. Taste and tweak as needed!
Apple, Pecan and Blue Cheese Salad