Apple Pecan and Bacon Salad with Maple Vinaigrette Dressing

User Reviews

5.0

102 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    10 mins

  • Total Time

    15 mins

  • Servings

    8 servings

  • Calories

    300 kcal

  • Course

    Salad

  • Cuisine

    American

Apple Pecan and Bacon Salad with Maple Vinaigrette Dressing

This Apple Pecan and Bacon Salad with Maple Vinaigrette Dressing features crunchy candied pecans, sweet, crisp apples, savory bacon pieces, and tart, dried cranberries. Serve with your favorite lettuce and top it off with a simple and delicious 2-minute vinaigrette for the perfect salad to go with any meal!

I Made This!

76 people made this

Save this

61 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

For the Salad

  • 6 cups lettuce I used green leaf lettuce and arugula
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • cup chopped bacon pieces see note for my time-saving tip!
  • cup dried cranberries
  • 1 apple thinly sliced and halves cut crosswise or chopped

Maple Vinaigrette

  • cup olive oil
  • cup pure maple syrup see note
  • 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice or 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper or 1/8 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
Add to Shopping List

Instructions

  1. First, prepare the candied pecans. In a small skillet, toast pecans for 1 minute over medium-high eat. Add sugar and stir constantly until sugar dissolves. Sprinkle cinnamon over pecans and stir until pecans are sugar-coated. Immediately transfer to a sheet of parchment or a heat-resistant plate to cool slightly.
  2. Prepare salad by arranging lettuce on a platter. Top with apples, cranberries, pecans, and bacon.
  3. Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar, shake vigorously to combine. Pour over salad immediately if serving right away, or wait until just before serving (shake well just before pouring over salad).

Notes

  • For the bacon: I love bacon in my salads, but I don't like to take the time to cook and chop bacon just for a salad. To save time I like to use bacon bits. Stay with me here! Add your bacon bits to a small microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 15-20 seconds and you will be amazed how they warm and crisp up! When choosing bacon bits at the store, I look for ones that look a bit "raw" (for lack of a better term), and skip any that are too tiny and look dried out. 
  • The apples: For flavor and texture, I prefer bright red apples in this salad. Gala, fuji, honey crisp are all good options!
  • Maple Syrup: use REAL maple syrup, NOT maple flavored breakfast syrup. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 300kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 21g (32%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Monounsaturated Fat 12g Sodium 400mg (17%) Potassium 189mg (5%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 20g (40%) Vitamin A 287IU (6%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 46mg (5%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 300 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 300kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 21g 32%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Monounsaturated Fat 12g 60%
Sodium 400mg 17%
Potassium 189mg 4%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 20g 40%
Vitamin A 287IU 6%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 46mg 5%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0

102 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload