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