Description
Enjoy a vibrant Cranberry Pecan Salad with Maple Dressing. This easy, fresh salad is packed with flavor and perfect for any meal, a real crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- Salad Base & Mix-ins:
- 5 oz (about 5–6 cups) mixed greens
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Crunchy & Sweet Additions:
- 1/2 cup pecans
- Maple Dressing Essentials:
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Toast Those Pecans:: Okay, first things first, let’s get those pecans fragrant! Spread them out on a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Keep an eye on them, stirring occasionally, until they smell wonderfully nutty and are lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. This step is a game-changer for your Cranberry Pecan Salad with Maple Dressing; it brings out so much flavor. I always set a timer because I’m prone to getting distracted and burning them, which makes the whole kitchen smell like regret!
- Whisk Up the Maple Dressing:: In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Once that’s all combined, slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking. You want it to emulsify, meaning it gets thick and creamy, not separated. This is where I always taste and adjust – sometimes I add a tiny bit more maple, sometimes a dash more vinegar. Trust your taste buds for the perfect Cranberry Pecan Salad with Maple Dressing!
- Prep Your Salad Base:: In a large salad bowl, gently combine your mixed greens, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese. Don’t crush the greens, we want them light and airy. I love seeing all those colors together – the green, the red, the white – it just looks so inviting before you even add the star of the show, the Cranberry Pecan Salad with Maple Dressing.
- Add the Crunchy Pecans:: Once your toasted pecans have cooled down a bit, add them to the salad bowl with the greens mixture. Cooling them is important, otherwise, they can make your greens wilt a little, and nobody wants a sad, droopy salad. This is where the texture truly shines, giving you that satisfying crunch with every bite of the Cranberry Pecan Salad with Maple Dressing.
- Dress and Toss Gently:: Now for the main event! Pour about half of the maple dressing over the salad. Gently toss everything together using salad tongs or your clean hands (my preferred method, honestly!). Add more dressing, a little at a time, until the salad is lightly coated to your liking. Don’t overdress it; we want the greens to be vibrant, not swimming. I’ve definitely gone overboard before, and it was just too much.
- Serve It Up:: Transfer your beautiful Cranberry Pecan Salad with Maple Dressing to individual plates or a serving platter. If you’re feeling fancy, you can garnish with a few extra pecans or cranberries. It should look fresh, colorful, and utterly delicious. The smell of that maple dressing always gets me excited for the first bite. Enjoy this bright, fresh salad!