Apple Pecan Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

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Apple pecan salad is the ultimate fall salad that is a refreshing mix of crisp apples, crunchy pecans, and leafy greens, and paired with tangy feta cheese. The salad is dressed with a light balsamic vinaigrette, balancing the sweetness of the apples and the earthy richness of the pecans. It's simple, yet the perfect combination of flavors that combines fresh seasonal ingredients, and wholesome ingredients for a nutritious meal or side.

I love to use this salad either as a perfect light side dish or add some chicken or steak to it to make a main dish. You know this is a save-worthy salad because my husband said it was the best salad I have ever made. If you know me, I love to make salads so this says A LOT.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Simplicity: This is a very easy recipe that doesn't require a lot of ingredients, but also feels like an elevated salad.
Hearty: This is a great hearty salad that will keep you full until your next meal, especially if you add your favorite protein.
No cooking: I love this salad because it requires no cooking! Leftover protein is always an option if you want to add some meat, but don't feel like cooking.

Ingredients You Will Need

Romain Lettuce: Romaine lettuce has a crisp texture with a mild, slightly bitter flavor and a refreshing crunch. It's rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and provides fiber, antioxidants, and hydration, promoting healthy digestion and supporting immune function.

Honeycrisp Apple: are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber, supporting a healthy immune system, aiding digestion, and potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. It adds a delicious sweetness to this salad.

Red Onion: Onions are full of antioxidants that help fight inflammation. They also have folate, manganese, and some vitamin C. They are antibacterial, help digestion (for some), and can help reduce your risk of cancer.

Chopped Pecans: Pecans have a rich, buttery flavor with a subtle sweetness and a slightly crunchy texture. They are packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and antioxidants, which can support brain health and reduce inflammation. They add a nice crunch to this salad.

Feta Cheese: Traditional feta is made from sheep's milk, which can be more gut-friendly for people who have an intolerance to dairy. While not considered dairy-free, it is a great option if you can tolerate small amounts of dairy.

For the Dressing

Balsamic Vinegar: has a complex, sweet-tangy flavor with hints of fruits and is used for its versatile use in dressings, marinades, and reductions.

Olive Oil: It is really important to get a high-quality extra virgin olive oil and one that is single origin, the food industry likes to cut corners when it comes to oils so be sure you check your labels.

Minced Garlic: is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It helps fight many diseases like the common cold, heart disease, and others.

Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard is known for its bold, tangy flavor. It gives a nice punch in this salad dressing! I really like this Dijon mustard from the New Primal.

Recipe Variations

Lettuce: Peppery arugula or kale would be great substitutions for lettuce in this salad.
Feta: If you are dairy-free you can leave this out. Another great swap would be goat cheese.
Salad Dressing: I love making my own balsamic dressing because it is super simple, but if that is not your thing, you can always buy one, just be sure to check for olive oil and no sugar.
Candied Pecans: A delicious apple pecan salad sometimes has candied pecan on it. This is always a great option, however, I try to eat as little sugar as possible so this is something I skip. If this suits your fancy, though- go for it!

Instructions

Prep Lettuce. Chop the romaine lettuce into thin strips then place it in a salad spinner. Wash and spin until it is mostly dry.

Chop Ingredients. Chop the apple, onion, and feta cheese into bite-sized pieces. If you don't have chopped pecans, then also chop those as well.

Make Dressing. Put the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper into a mason jar or small bowl and mix well.

Build your salad. Start with the lettuce on the bottom of a large bowl, then sprinkle apples, onions, feta, and pecans on top. Drizzle the desired amount of salad dressings and toss the salad until everything is coated.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Making it a meal: While this Apple Pecan Salad is the perfect salad as a side, if you want to make it a meal add grilled chicken breast, steak, or your favorite leftover protein.

Feta cheese: I always buy feta in the brine because it is the freshest, but you can also buy feta crumbles, too!

Storage Tips

This salad will hold for up to 2 days if undressed and in an airtight container. For meal prepping, I recommend making the dressing ahead of time (it will store up to 7 days in the fridge) and then chopping the salad ingredients the night before.

What to Serve It With

Protein: This salad goes great with grilled chicken or grilled steak.

Other sides: Oven Roasted Root Veggies, Green Bean Casserole.

For Dessert: If you are keeping dinner on the light side, I always love having these Proscuitto Wrapped D ates or Chocolate Date Balls for dessert.

FAQs About Apple Pecan Salad

What is the best apple for the salad?

For this type of salad, I usually like sweet apples, as compared to tart apples. Honeycrispy, fuji, and pink lady apples are all of my favorites.

How do I make a version of the popular Wendy's Apple Pecan Chicken Salad?

This recipe is a great copycat recipe of Wendy's Apple Pecan salad. If you want an exact recipe, swap feta cheese for bleu cheese, chicken, and dried cranberries.

Can I use a different kind of dressing?

Absolutely! An apple cider vinegarette or a pomegranate vinegarette would go great on this salad, as well.