Apple Feta Salad with Pecans
This apple feta salad is an easy and elegant side dish for any occasion. Made with hearty greens tossed with crisp Granny Smith apples, feta, toasted pecans, and a mix of dried fruit, all finished with a simple vinaigrette. Because it's built on hearty greens instead of delicate lettuce, it holds beautifully on a buffet or dinner table, and nearly everything can be prepped ahead.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 223kcal
Ingredients
- 15 ounces mixed hearty greens baby spinach, Swiss chard and/or arugula, chopped
- 1 large granny smith apple cored and chopped
- 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- ½ cup toasted chopped pecans
- ½ cup mixed dried fruit dried cranberries, golden raisins, blueberries
- ¼ cup pomegranate-quince white balsamic vinegar can also use regular white balsamic
- 3 tablespoons lime olive oil can also use extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt to taste
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together the chopped greens, apple, feta cheese, pecans and dried fruit.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
- Toss the salad with half of the dressing. Add more as needed. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Notes
Make ahead: Salad can be tossed without the apples and not dressed earlier in the day. Shortly before serving, chop the apples, add to salad, and toss with dressing.
Skip peeling the apples. The skin adds color to the salad and helps the pieces hold their shape once chopped.
To prevent browning: If you need to chop the apples ahead of time, toss the pieces in a spoonful of the vinaigrette first. The acid in the vinegar slows oxidation, so they stay bright longer.
Reserve some toppings. Set aside a small handful of feta, pecans, and dried fruit before tossing the salad. These tend to sink to the bottom once mixed in — scattering them on top just before serving makes the salad look composed and pulled-together on the table.
Nutrition
Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 910IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 1mg