Description
A vibrant Holiday Honeycrisp Salad that combines crisp apples, mixed greens, tangy dried cranberries, crunchy candied nuts, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a sweet and tangy homemade dressing. This festive salad is perfect as a refreshing side dish during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 large Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- 6 cups mixed greens (spring mix, arugula, or spinach)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup candied pecans or walnuts
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the salad base: In a large salad bowl, layer the mixed greens with thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, candied pecans or walnuts, crumbled feta cheese, thinly sliced red onion, and pomegranate arils to create a colorful, textured base.
- Make the dressing: In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss and serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly while preserving the crispness of the apples and greens. Serve immediately to enjoy maximum freshness.
Notes
- To prevent apple slices from browning, toss them with a little lemon juice before adding to the salad.
- This salad pairs well with roasted turkey, ham, or chicken, making it an ideal festive side dish for holiday meals.
- Substitute blue cheese instead of feta for a bolder flavor profile.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey to make the dressing vegan-friendly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
