Harvest Apple Salad with Cider Dressing is a good choice when you want something fresh on the table alongside heavier fall dishes.
The crisp apples, dried cranberries, and pecans give it plenty of texture, and the feta adds a little saltiness. It’s colorful without needing a long list of ingredients or much preparation.
The homemade apple cider dressing has a pleasant balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Maple syrup softens the sharpness of the vinegar, and a small amount of cinnamon gives it a subtle fall flavor. You can adjust the sweetness to suit your taste.
You’ll need a large salad bowl and a small bowl for whisking the dressing.
Everything is ready in about 15 minutes, which is especially helpful when you’re preparing several dishes for Thanksgiving or another holiday meal.
This apple cranberry pecan salad also works well with everyday dinners. Serve it alongside roasted chicken, pork, or a simple casserole.
For the freshest texture, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve.
Why You’ll Love This Harvest Apple Salad with Cider Dressing
Ready in 15 Minutes
There’s no cooking involved. A little slicing, a quick dressing, and the salad is ready to serve.
Plenty of Crunch
Fresh apples and chopped pecans give every serving a satisfying crunch. Using crisp apples is important since softer varieties can become mushy after tossing.
Homemade Maple Cider Dressing
The dressing uses pantry ingredients and takes only a minute or two to whisk together. You can also make it ahead and refrigerate it until needed.
A Fresh Thanksgiving Side Dish
Thanksgiving meals often include several rich, creamy dishes. This salad gives you a lighter option with fresh greens and a tangy dressing.
Easy to Prepare Ahead
You can prepare most of the ingredients in advance. Keep everything separate, slice the apples closer to serving time, and assemble the salad when needed.
Sweet and Savory Flavors
The dried cranberries and apples add sweetness, but the salad isn’t overly sweet. Red onion, feta, and Dijon mustard keep the flavors balanced.
Ingredient Substitutions
Crisp Apples
Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Gala apples are good choices. Granny Smith apples also work if you prefer a tarter salad. Choose firm apples that hold their shape after slicing.
Mixed Salad Greens
Baby spinach, spring mix, or chopped romaine can replace the mixed greens. Romaine gives the salad a little more crunch.
Dried Cranberries
Dried cherries or raisins are good alternatives. Dried cherries have a slightly tart flavor that goes well with the apple cider dressing.
Chopped Pecans
Chopped walnuts are a good substitute. You can also use sliced almonds or roasted pumpkin seeds.
Feta Cheese
Crumbled goat cheese works well if you prefer a creamier cheese. Blue cheese is another option, although it has a stronger flavor.
Red Onion
Thinly sliced shallots have a milder flavor. You can also use green onions for a less noticeable onion taste.
Apple Cider Vinegar
White wine vinegar can be used instead. It has a slightly different flavor but still makes a good vinaigrette.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Avocado oil is a suitable replacement. It has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the dressing.
Pure Maple Syrup
Honey can replace the maple syrup in the same amount. The dressing will have a slightly different sweetness.
Dijon Mustard
Whole grain mustard is a good alternative. It gives the dressing a little more texture.
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RECOMMENDED TOOL FOR THIS RECIPE
Cutting Board with Insert Prep Mats
The color-coded prep mats make it easy to keep meat, vegetables, and other ingredients separate while chopping.
Harvest Apple Salad with Cider Dressing
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Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 8 cups fresh mixed salad greens
- 2 medium fresh Honeycrisp apples thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ⅓ cup red onion thinly sliced
For the Apple Cider Dressing:
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the mixed salad greens in a large salad bowl.
- Add the sliced apples, dried cranberries, pecans, feta cheese, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Toss gently to coat the ingredients evenly.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Prevent Browning – Toss the apple slices with a little lemon juice if you’re preparing them ahead of time. Toast the Pecans – Lightly toast the pecans in a dry skillet for a few minutes to bring out their nutty flavor. Let them cool before adding them to the salad. Slice the Apples Thinly – Thin slices are easier to mix with the greens and distribute throughout the salad. Keep the Greens Dry – Wash and thoroughly dry the salad greens before assembling. Excess water can dilute the dressing. Soften the Onion Flavor – Soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes, then drain well before using. Dress Just Before Serving – Wait until you’re ready to eat before adding the dressing. This helps keep the greens crisp.Storing
Refrigerator – Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day if it has already been dressed. The greens will soften as they sit. Undressed Salad – Store the greens, toppings, and apple slices separately in the refrigerator. The greens and most toppings can be prepared 1 to 2 days ahead. Slice the apples just before serving for the freshest texture. Apple Cider Dressing – Store the dressing in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Shake or whisk well before serving, since the oil and vinegar may separate.Nutrition
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