The Tangy Apple Pecan Feta Salad Recipe You’ll Love Today

Crisp autumn days call for a vibrant apple pecan feta salad that bursts with fresh flavors and textures.

Seasonal ingredients dance together in this delightful dish, creating a symphony of sweet and savory notes.

Crunchy pecans add a delightful nutty dimension to the mix.

Tangy feta cheese provides a creamy contrast to the crisp apple slices.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of freshness and richness.

Colorful and nutritious, this salad makes an ideal side or light lunch that will impress anyone at the table.

Serving Ideas for Apple Pecan Feta Salad

• Brunch Companion: Pair this vibrant salad with quiche or frittata for a delightful midday meal that balances fresh and savory notes.
• Wine Pairing Wonder: Complement the salad's tangy feta and sweet apple with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or light Pinot Grigio that enhances its bright flavors.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken breast or seared salmon on top to transform this salad into a complete, nutritious main course that satisfies hunger and delivers extra protein.
• Elegant Presentation Tip: Serve on a white platter with pecans artfully scattered around the edges to create a restaurant-worthy visual appeal that impresses guests.

How to Keep Apple Pecan Feta Salad Fresh

• Store salad without dressing in a sealed container for up to 2 days, keeping ingredients crisp and fresh by separating wet and dry components.
• Keep balsamic vinaigrette in a small jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, preventing soggy greens and maintaining salad's texture.
• Before serving leftovers, gently toss salad with fresh pecans and a splash of vinaigrette to revive crispness and restore original flavors.
• Do not freeze this salad, as leafy greens, apples, and cheese will lose texture and become watery when thawed.

FAQs

• What makes the pecans taste better in this salad?

Toasting the pecans beforehand brings out their rich, nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad, enhancing the overall texture and taste.

• Can I use a different type of cheese if I don't have feta?

While feta provides a tangy flavor, you can substitute it with goat cheese or blue cheese for a similar creamy and sharp taste profile.

• How do I prevent the apple slices from browning?

Toss the apple slices in a little lemon juice right after cutting to prevent oxidation and keep them looking fresh and crisp in the salad.

Why Apple Pecan Feta Salad Is a Delight

• Elevate Your Meal: A gourmet salad that transforms ordinary greens into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with vibrant ingredients that create a symphony of textures and flavors, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a satisfying lunch.
• Nutrition Powerhouse: Loaded with fresh produce, crunchy nuts, and tangy cheese, delivering a balanced mix of proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants in every delightful bite.
• Versatile Delight: Adaptable for various occasions like potlucks, picnics, work lunches, or as a light dinner companion that suits multiple dietary preferences.

Ingredients for Apple Pecan Feta Salad

• Mixed Greens: A fresh and crisp foundation for the salad that provides a light and nutritious backdrop.
• Apple Slices: Crisp and sweet apple pieces that add a refreshing crunch and natural sweetness.

• Toasted Pecans: Crunchy and rich nuts that bring a warm, deep flavor and nutty texture to the salad.
• Feta Cheese: Tangy and crumbly cheese that adds a creamy and sharp taste to balance the other ingredients.

• Dried Cranberries, Red Onion: Tart and sweet cranberries with sharp red onion that provide bursts of intense flavor and color.

• Balsamic Vinaigrette, Salt, Pepper: A zesty dressing that ties all the ingredients together with a smooth, tangy coating and simple seasonings to enhance the overall taste profile.

How to Toss Apple Pecan Feta Salad

Step 1: Prepare Fresh Ingredients

Wash and dry mixed greens thoroughly.

Core and slice crisp apples into thin, elegant wedges.

Chop red onion into delicate, translucent slivers.

Crumble feta cheese into small, creamy chunks.

Step 2: Toast Nutty Pecans

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.

Add pecans and toast until golden brown and fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 3: Assemble Colorful Salad

• Mixed greens
• Apple slices
• Toasted pecans
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Dried cranberries
• Chopped red onion

Step 4: Dress and Toss

Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the salad.

Use salad tongs or two large spoons to gently mix ingredients, ensuring each component gets a light coating of dressing.

Step 5: Season and Serve

Sprinkle sea salt and freshly ground black pepper across the salad.

Give a final gentle toss.

Transfer to individual serving plates immediately and enjoy the vibrant, crisp flavors.

Handy Tips for Apple Pecan Feta Salad

• Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Use a sharp knife to cut apple slices uniformly thin, preventing browning by tossing them with a splash of lemon juice to maintain freshness.
• Soak sliced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce its sharp taste, creating a milder, more balanced flavor in the salad.
• Replace balsamic vinaigrette with a lighter honey mustard or apple cider vinaigrette for different taste profiles and dietary preferences.

Flavor Options for Apple Pecan Feta Salad

• Mediterranean Makeover: Replace mixed greens with arugula, swap feta for goat cheese, and use lemon vinaigrette for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Vegan Veggie Delight: Substitute feta with crumbled tofu, use maple-glazed walnuts instead of pecans, and choose a dairy-free vinaigrette for a plant-based alternative.
• Protein Power Salad: Add grilled chicken or salmon, use quinoa as a base, and include roasted almonds for an extra protein-packed meal.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace apple slices with cucumber, use a keto-friendly dressing, and increase nuts for a low-carbohydrate friendly adaptation.

Apple Pecan Feta Salad Recipe

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• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp garden greens dance with tangy feta and sweet apple slices in this apple pecan feta salad recipe. Crunchy pecans and zesty vinaigrette elevate this refreshing dish, making you crave each vibrant bite.

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Ingredients

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Salad Ingredients:

• 6 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, and lettuce)
• 2 medium apples (thinly sliced)
• 1/2 cup pecans (toasted)
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Garnish and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Arrange crisp mixed greens as a vibrant base in a spacious serving bowl, creating a lush foundation for the salad.
2. Layer thinly sliced apples across the greens, allowing them to cascade elegantly throughout the mixture.
3. Sprinkle golden toasted pecans to introduce a delightful crunch and nutty essence to the salad composition.
4. Crumble tangy feta cheese generously, distributing white clusters that provide a creamy contrast to the fresh ingredients.
5. Scatter ruby-toned dried cranberries, adding pops of sweet-tart brightness across the salad landscape.
6. Disperse delicate slivers of red onion to contribute a subtle sharp undertone and visual complexity.
7. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette in smooth, circular motions, ensuring each ingredient receives a glossy, flavor-enhancing coating.
8. Gently toss the entire mixture using soft folding techniques to preserve the ingredients’ integrity and distribute dressing evenly.
9. Delicately season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate and balance the overall flavor profile.
10. Serve immediately at room temperature to capture the salad’s peak freshness and vibrant textures.

Notes

• Toast pecans carefully to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent burning, which can make them bitter.
• Slice apples just before serving to maintain crispness and prevent browning by tossing them in a bit of lemon juice.
• Use chilled greens for maximum crunch and freshness, ensuring the salad stays crisp and vibrant.
• Adjust balsamic vinaigrette quantity based on personal taste preference, starting with a light drizzle and adding more if needed.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 225 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg