Description
Indulge in the flavors of fall with this Autumn Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette. This vibrant salad features a delightful combination of crisp greens, tart apples, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and savory bacon, all drizzled with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette. Perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings, cozy dinners, or as a refreshing side dish, this salad is not only beautiful but also packed with nutrients. In just 15 minutes, you can create a dish that celebrates seasonal ingredients while offering a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Whether enjoyed on its own or alongside your favorite proteins, this Autumn Salad is sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
- 8 cups crisp Romaine or Green Leaf lettuce, chopped (approximately 1 head of lettuce)
- 2 medium tart red apples, cored and diced (do not peel) (recommended: Fuji or Honeycrisp)
- 1 cup dried cranberries (sub: fresh pomegranate seeds)
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (see Cooking Notes)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (try baking it ahead of time)
- 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese (sub: Gorgonzola crumbles)
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (sub: honey)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- To make the dressing, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a jar. Seal and shake until well mixed.
- In a large bowl, mix chopped lettuce, diced apples, cranberries, toasted pecans, crumbled bacon, and feta cheese.
- Drizzle about two-thirds of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately with additional dressing on the side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (210g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg