Crisp apples, sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy toasted pecans, and sweet dried cranberries tossed with fresh greens and a delicious homemade vinaigrette! This colorful salad is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy. It’s wonderful for fall gatherings, holiday dinners, or a fresh everyday lunch. ❤️
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 6 cups mixed greens or fresh lettuce
- 2 medium apples, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup pecan halves, lightly toasted
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Prepare the apples: Wash and thinly slice the apples. Toss them with a little lemon juice to help prevent browning.
- Build the salad: Place the mixed greens in a large serving bowl. Add the apple slices, cheddar cubes, dried cranberries, red onion, and toasted pecans.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the homemade vinaigrette over the ingredients just before serving.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss everything together, sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper, and serve immediately.
Tip: Use a crisp apple variety such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith. For extra flavor, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently.
❤️ Would you add extra cheddar cheese or extra pecans to this delicious apple salad?