Fresh Apple Pecan Fall Salad Recipe: A Crisp Autumn Delight

Crisp apple pecan fall salads bring vibrant autumn flavors to your table with unexpected textures and refreshing combinations.

Seasonal ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of sweet and savory notes that celebrate cooler weather’s culinary magic.

Crunchy nuts and tender fruit form a delightful contrast that elevates traditional salad expectations.

Delicate greens provide a nutritious foundation for this colorful dish, promising both visual appeal and robust nutrition.

Wholesome and satisfying, these salads represent more than just a side dish—they embody the essence of fall bountiful harvest.

Innovative chefs love changeing simple ingredients into extraordinary culinary experiences that delight the senses and spark conversation.

Rich, complex flavor profiles merge seamlessly, changeing an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining adventure.

Essential Ingredients for Apple Pecan Fall Salad

• Mixed Greens: Crisp base for the salad, providing a fresh and nutritious foundation with varied textures and flavors.

• Apple, Pear: Fresh, sweet fruits that add crunch and juicy sweetness to the salad, best when ripe and firm.

• Craisins: Tart and sweet dried cranberries that bring a pop of color and tangy flavor to the dish.

• Blue Cheese: Creamy, bold cheese with a distinctive tangy taste that adds richness and depth to the salad.

• Salted Pecans: Crunchy, buttery nuts that provide a savory, salty element and additional texture to the salad.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base for the dressing that helps blend flavors and provides a silky texture.
• Lime Juice: Bright, acidic component that adds freshness and balances the dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that helps smooth out the dressing and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment that helps emulsify the dressing and adds a sharp flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dressing.

Apple Pecan Fall Salad Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Craft the Zesty Vinaigrette

• Olive oil
• Fresh lime juice
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Seal the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the ingredients blend into a smooth, vibrant dressing.

Step 2: Assemble the Harvest Medley

• Mixed salad greens
• Crisp diced apples
• Juicy diced pears
• Tart craisins
• Crumbled blue cheese
• Toasted salted pecans

Gently toss the ingredients to create a beautiful autumn-inspired blend.

Step 3: Serve with Seasonal Flair

Place the salad bowl on the table with the prepared dressing alongside. Let each person drizzle their desired amount of vinaigrette, creating a personalized fall flavor experience. The combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements will delight taste buds and celebrate the essence of autumn.

Best Tips for Making Apple Pecan Fall Salad

• Massage Greens Gently: Softly toss mixed greens to prevent bruising and maintain their crisp texture.
• Slice Fruits Strategically: Cut apples and pears just before serving to prevent browning and preserve fresh appearance.
• Toast Pecans Perfectly: Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch.
• Dress Smartly: Serve dressing on the side to keep salad ingredients fresh and prevent wilting of delicate greens.
• Prep Ahead Wisely: Chop ingredients and store separately, combining just before serving to maintain optimal salad quality.

How to Store and Reuse Apple Pecan Fall Salad

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers. Keep mixed greens, diced fruits, and dressing in different sealed containers to maintain freshness for up to 2 days.
• Prevent Browning: Toss apple and pear pieces with a splash of lemon juice before storing to prevent oxidation and discoloration.
• Revive Salad: When ready to enjoy, gently mix ingredients and add fresh dressing. Discard if salad appears wilted or fruits look discolored.

Smart Pairings for Apple Pecan Fall Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Choose a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the salad's tangy dressing and fresh fruit notes, cutting through the richness of blue cheese and pecans.
• Match with Autumn-Inspired Bread: Serve alongside a warm slice of rustic rosemary sourdough or whole grain walnut bread to add texture and warmth to the light, refreshing salad.
• Enhance with Roasted Chicken: Add grilled or roasted chicken breast strips to transform this side salad into a hearty main course, providing protein and creating a balanced meal that highlights the seasonal ingredients.
• Complement with Sparkling Apple Cider: Pour a chilled glass of sparkling apple cider to echo the fruit flavors in the salad, creating a harmonious drinking experience that celebrates fall's bounty.

Creative Apple Pecan Fall Salad Additions

• Autumn Harvest Crunch: Swap mixed greens for kale, add roasted butternut squash cubes, and sprinkle pomegranate seeds for extra seasonal flair.
• Mediterranean Style: Replace blue cheese with crumbled feta, add sliced cucumber, and swap pecans for toasted pine nuts for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.
• Protein Power Boost: Incorporate grilled chicken or seared salmon on top, include quinoa for added protein, and use a balsamic vinaigrette instead of the lime-honey dressing.
• Spicy Southwestern Edition: Add black beans, corn kernels, chopped jalapeños, and swap blue cheese for cotija cheese, with a cilantro-lime dressing to elevate the flavor profile.

Why Apple Pecan Fall Salad Belongs on Your Autumn Table

• Harvest Fresh Flavors: Bursting with seasonal ingredients like crisp apples, juicy pears, and tangy blue cheese, this salad captures the essence of autumn in every delightful bite.
• Craft an Easy-Shake Dressing: The mason jar mixing method creates a perfectly blended, zesty lime-honey dressing that coats each ingredient with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Textural Wonderland: Crisp greens, crunchy salted pecans, soft blue cheese, and sweet-tart fruit pieces deliver a mouthwatering contrast that keeps every forkful interesting and exciting.
• Customize Your Serving: Serving the dressing on the side gives everyone the freedom to control their own flavor intensity, making this salad perfect for picky eaters and dinner gatherings alike.

Apple Pecan Fall Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crisp autumn flavors dance in this apple pecan fall salad, blending sweet and savory notes with a harmonious mix of seasonal ingredients. Maple-glazed pecans and tangy goat cheese elevate this refreshing dish, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups mixed greens
• 1 apple (Jonathan, Fuji, or Gala), diced
• 1 pear, diced
• ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup salted pecans

Dried Fruits and Nuts:

• ⅓ cup craisins (dried cranberries)

Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking together zesty lime juice, golden honey, robust Dijon mustard, fragrant olive oil, and a pinch of seasoning in a sealed mason jar, shaking vigorously until ingredients harmonize into a smooth emulsion.
2. Select a spacious salad vessel and layer crisp mixed greens as the foundational canvas.
3. Artfully scatter freshly cubed crisp apple and juicy pear across the verdant greens, creating a textural landscape.
4. Sprinkle tangy craisins to introduce bursts of sweet-tart complexity.
5. Crumble pungent blue cheese throughout the salad, adding creamy, distinctive notes.
6. Garnish with crunchy salted pecans, providing a rich, nutty counterpoint to the delicate greens.
7. Gently toss the ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of flavors and preventing delicate components from bruising.
8. Present the salad with the prepared vinaigrette alongside, inviting diners to customize their dressing intensity according to personal preference.

Notes

• Whip up the zesty dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for quick meal prep.
• Choose crisp, firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture and bright flavor in the salad.
• Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the dish.
• Swap blue cheese with goat cheese or feta if you prefer a different tangy cheese option.
• Customize the salad by adding grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete and protein-packed meal.
• Opt for mixed greens that include baby spinach and arugula to boost nutritional value and add peppery undertones.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg