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Best Easy Fall Harvest Salad with Apples and Feta

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A quick and easy fall salad with crisp apples, creamy feta, toasted pecans, and a simple maple Dijon dressing. Perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups mixed greens (spinach and arugula blend recommended)
  • 2 medium Honeycrisp apples, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Toast the pecans: Place chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Shake occasionally and toast for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and slightly darker. Pour onto a plate to cool.
  2. Make the dressing: In a small jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds until emulsified. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
  3. Prep the apples: Core and thinly slice the apples (about 1/4 inch thick). If not serving immediately, toss with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning.
  4. Slice the red onion: Cut onion in half and slice thinly into half-moons. For a milder flavor, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
  5. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, add mixed greens. Top with sliced apples, crumbled feta, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and sliced red onion. Do not toss yet.
  6. Dress and toss: When ready to serve, shake dressing again, then drizzle about 3/4 over the salad. Toss gently to coat evenly. Add more dressing if needed.
  7. Serve immediately: Garnish with extra pecan halves and a sprinkle of feta. Best enjoyed fresh.

Notes

Toast pecans carefully to avoid burning. Keep dressing separate until serving to prevent soggy greens. For meal prep, store components separately and assemble just before eating. Apples can be tossed in lemon juice to prevent browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall harvest salad, apple feta salad, easy fall salad, harvest salad, maple dijon dressing, quick salad recipe

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/best-easy-fall-harvest-salad-with-apples-and-feta/