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Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad
5 from 54 votes

Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad

This Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad combines crisp kale with diced apple, celery, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta. The salad is topped with crispy diced bacon and homemade candied pecans coated in egg white, sugar, and warm spices. A tangy dressing made with apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, shallots, olive oil, and honey brings all the flavors together. Its mix of textures and the sweet, savory balance makes it substantial enough for a light meal or a flavorful side.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American, Canadian

Ingredients

  • 3 lices Bacon diced
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 shallot diced, medium
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • salt Kosher salt and freshly ground
  • black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground
  • 1 kale stems removed and leaves shredded, large bunch
  • 1 apple diced, medium
  • ½ cup celery sliced
  • ½ cup cranberries dried, sweetened
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
for the candied pecans
  • 1 egg large, white
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, shallot and Dijon; let stand 5 minutes. Whisk in olive oil and honey; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in kale and massage for 1 minute.
  3. Top with bacon, apple, celery, cranberries, feta cheese and candied pecans, and gently toss to combine.
for the candied pecans
  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk egg white until frothy, about 1-2 minutes. Whisk in sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice and cayenne pepper.
  3. Stir in pecans until well combined and evenly coated.
  4. Spread pecan mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Place into oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring at halftime. Let cool completely.