5 from 9 votes
Apple Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans and Feta
Get your spinach on with this delicious Apple Spinach Salad topped with sweet candied pecans, tart dried cranberries, and creamy feta.
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
297 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 3-4 cups spinach fresh baby
- 1 apple medium, Honeycrisp variety
- ¼-⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 3 TBSP pecans store-bought or homemade, candied, chopped
MAPLE DIJON DRESSING
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 TBSP red wine vinegar
- 1 TBSP pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp salt sea salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- First make the dressing. Combine ingredients in a mason jar and shake well or add ingredients to a bowl and whisk well until emulsified. Love garlic? For extra flavor you can add a small clove of fresh garlic (finely minced) to the dressing. It's delicious!
- Next make the salad. Apples can be thinly sliced (for fancier presentation) or sliced then chopped into bite-sized pieces. Add spinach to a large bowl then add half the dressing. Mix well to coat, then add apples, feta, dried cranberries, and candied pecans.
- Toss to combine and feel free to add extra of any ingredient, to taste. You can also season with extra salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with remaining dressing and enjoy immediately while it's fresh and delicious! Enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- OPTIONAL EXTRAS: roasted sunflower seeds or pepitas, microgreens or sprouts, shredded/diced chicken or turkey (for my t-rex friends), crispy roasted chickpeas, fluffy cooked quinoa, thinly sliced red onion, fresh blueberries or pomegranate.
- DIY CANDIED PECANS:
- Heat a small skillet or saucepan to medium heat and butter to melt. Next add pecans, brown sugar, and the teeniest bit of salt. Sauté for 5-6 minutes and pour over parchment paper.Allow to cool for several minutes until the coating hardens and your pecans have officially been candied! Finely chop and add as much or as little as you'd like to your salad.
- Nutrition Facts below are estimated for salad and dressing using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!
- 1 cup chopped pecans (the smaller the better)
- 1 TBSP unsalted butter
- 2 TBSP brown sugar
- ⅛ tsp salt
Nutrition Information
Calories
297kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
22g
(7%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Cholesterol
17mg
(6%)
Sodium
437mg
(18%)
Potassium
208mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
17g
(34%)
Vitamin A
2215IU
(44%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
133mg
(13%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 297
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 297kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 17mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 437mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 208mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 2215IU | 44% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 133mg | 13% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.