Feta Cheese Apple and Spiced Pecan Salad
Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy with this vibrant Feta Cheese Apple and Spiced Pecan Salad. Crisp mixed greens are paired with tart apple slices—like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith—for a refreshing crunch, while creamy crumbled feta adds a rich, tangy note. The real star? Candied spiced pecans coated in brown sugar, cinnamon, and a hint of cayenne for an irresistible smoky-sweet kick. Tossed in a homemade honey vinaigrette with apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard, this salad is a delightful symphony of textures and flavors. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a stand-out side dish or a light yet satisfying meal on its own. Perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or an elevated weekday lunch!
Smart Nutrition Tracking with SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups Mixed salad greens
- 1 large Apple (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 1 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup Pecans
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.25 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Preheat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Stir continuously for about 4-5 minutes until the sugar melts and evenly coats the pecans. Remove from heat and transfer the pecans to a parchment-lined plate to cool completely.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to form the vinaigrette. Set aside.
Wash and dry the apple. Core it and slice it thinly into wedges or matchsticks, depending on personal preference.
In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, apple slices, and crumbled feta cheese.
Once the pecans are cool, break them into smaller pieces if desired and add them to the salad.
Drizzle the honey vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss to combine all ingredients evenly.
Serve immediately and enjoy your Feta Cheese Apple and Spiced Pecan Salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
435 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.5 g | 44% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.2 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 25 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 492 mg | 21% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.1 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.7 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.1 g | ||
| Protein | 7.4 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 193 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 358 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
