Description
A fresh and flavorful Apple Salad combining crisp spring lettuce, sweet gala apples, toasted pecans, tangy feta cheese, dried cranberries, savory baco, and red onion, all tossed in a zesty apple cider vinegar and maple syrup dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a vibrant side dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 10 oz. spring lettuce mix (with spinach) or baby spinach
- 3 medium gala apples, cored and thinly chopped
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 12 oz. baco, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, sliced into thin strips
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Mix all the dressing ingredients—olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper—in a bowl until well blended. Alternatively, add them to a mason jar, cover with the lid, and shake vigorously until fully combined.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, layer together the spring lettuce mix, thinly chopped gala apples, toasted pecans, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, cooked and chopped baco, and thinly sliced red onion strips.
- Add the dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad components in the bowl.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh texture and flavors at their best.
Notes
- Toast pecans lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant to enhance their flavor.
- Use fresh gala apples for crispness; other sweet apple varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp also work well.
- Baco is a bacon alternative; you can substitute with cooked bacon if preferred.
- Prepare dressing just before serving to keep the salad ingredients crisp and fresh.
- This salad is best served immediately after tossing to prevent wilting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
