Garden Salad with Cranberries Pine Nuts and Bacon
Brighten up your table with this vibrant Garden Salad with Cranberries, Pine Nuts, and Bacon—a perfect blend of crisp textures and bold flavors! Featuring a medley of fresh mixed greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, and refreshing cucumber slices, this salad receives a delightful sweetness from dried cranberries and a satisfying crunch from toasted pine nuts. Crispy, smoky crumbled bacon elevates every bite, while a tangy homemade balsamic-honey vinaigrette ties it all together. Ready in just 25 minutes and ideal for any occasion, this salad is equally perfect as a light lunch, an impressive dinner starter, or a refreshing side dish. Packed with nutrients and flavor, it’s a must-try for anyone seeking a balance of wholesome and indulgent ingredients!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups Mixed salad greens (e.g., arugula, spinach, lettuce)
- 0.5 cups Dried cranberries
- 0.25 cups Pine nuts
- 4 pieces Bacon slices
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium Cucumber, sliced
- 0.25 cups Red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.25 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
Instructions
Cook the bacon: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon slices until crispy, about 7-8 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
Toast the pine nuts: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low and add the pine nuts. Toast them for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, dried cranberries, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and red onion. Gently toss to combine.
Add the toppings: Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts and crumbled bacon over the top of the salad.
Drizzle the dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Serve: Divide the salad among individual plates or serve it directly from the bowl. Enjoy immediately!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1057 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 68.1 g | 87% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.1 g | 55% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 36 mg | 12% | |
| Sodium | 1537 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 97.0 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.0 g | 50% | |
| Total Sugars | 68.9 g | ||
| Protein | 22.8 g | 46% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 223 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 7.0 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 1872 mg | 40% | |
*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.
