Description
This Holiday Honeycrisp Salad is a beautiful, seasonal salad that celebrates the crispness of Honeycrisp apples, paired with the crunch of pecans and the tang of blue cheese. The salad is topped with a sweet and tangy apple cider vinaigrette, bringing all the elements together in a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any winter gathering, this salad adds a refreshing balance to traditional rich holiday dishes.
Perfect for a festive table, the red cranberries, green greens, and pale blue cheese create a gorgeous color palette that is as appetizing to the eye as it is to the palate. This salad can be served as a starter or a side, and it’s sure to make a statement with its elegant presentation and delightful taste. The balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors will leave your guests coming back for seconds!
Ingredients
- 3 medium Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 12 ounces salad greens (spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, baby romaine, or a combination)
- 1 cup pecan halves, toasted or candied
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries)
- 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup light vegetable oil (sunflower, safflower, or extra-virgin olive oil)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice or apple cider
- 2–3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Apple Cider Vinaigrette by combining oil, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a mason jar. Seal tightly and shake until well combined. Alternatively, whisk together in a medium bowl.
- Place apple slices in a large plastic bag and drizzle with lemon juice. Close the bag and shake gently to coat each slice to prevent browning.
- In a large salad bowl, layer the salad greens, apple slices, pecans, cranberries, and blue cheese.
- Just before serving, drizzle the desired amount of Apple Cider Vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes