Description

This Holiday Honeycrisp Salad is a vibrant and refreshing salad perfect for festive occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Featuring sweet and crisp Honeycrisp apples, mixed greens, tart dried cranberries, crunchy candied pecans, and tangy crumbled feta cheese, all tossed in a honey-Dijon vinaigrette that balances sweetness with a hint of tang. The salad is quick to prepare, no-cook, and offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors that make it a standout side dish or light meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
6 cups mixed greens (such as arugula, spinach, and romaine)
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped candied pecans
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Dressing Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the mixture is fully emulsified and smooth.
Combine salad ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens, thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, thinly sliced red onion, pomegranate seeds, and chopped candied pecans. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
Add the dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad just before serving, then toss gently again to ensure everything is coated without bruising the delicate greens and apple slices.
Top with cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad for a creamy and tangy finish.
Serve immediately: For the best flavor and texture, serve the salad right after dressing it to maintain crispness and freshness.

Notes

To prevent the apple slices from browning, toss them in a bit of lemon juice before adding to the salad.
Goat cheese or blue cheese can be used as a substitute for feta cheese.
Add grilled chicken or turkey to make this salad a heartier meal.