Quick Harvest Apple Pecan Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
A quick and easy salad featuring crisp apples, toasted pecans, creamy Gorgonzola, and a sweet-tangy maple vinaigrette. Perfect for busy weeknights or as a stunning side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 ounces (140g) fresh baby spinach
- 1 large or 2 small apples (about 200g), such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup (60g) raw pecan halves or pieces, toasted
- 1/3 cup (50g) Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup (30g) dried cranberries
- 1/4 small red onion (about 30g), thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5g) Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the Maple Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. If using a jar, shake vigorously for 30 seconds. If using a bowl, whisk while slowly drizzling in olive oil until emulsified. Set aside.
- Toast the Pecans: Place raw pecan pieces in a dry skillet over medium heat. Shake the pan every 30 seconds for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly darkened. Immediately transfer to a plate to cool.
- Prep the Apple and Onion: Wash and core the apple, then cut into thin slices or bite-sized cubes. Thinly slice the red onion. If desired, soak onion slices in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow flavor, then drain.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine baby spinach, sliced apple, sliced red onion, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crumbled Gorgonzola.
- Dress and Toss: Give the vinaigrette a final shake or whisk. Drizzle about three-quarters of the dressing over the salad. Gently toss until evenly coated. Add more dressing if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
Toast pecans over medium heat and watch closely to avoid burning. Dress the salad just before serving to keep spinach crisp. For a dairy-free version, omit cheese or add avocado. For a nut-free version, use pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 8
Keywords: apple pecan salad, maple vinaigrette, quick salad, harvest salad, fall salad, spinach salad