5 from 51 votes
Holiday Salad with Apple Cider Dressing
This Holiday Salad combines mixed greens with thinly sliced apples and red onions, dried cranberries, pecans, and optional crumbled gorgonzola cheese, all tossed in a sweet and tangy apple cider vinegar dressing. The dressing blends apple cider vinegar, olive oil, mustard, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper, delivering a vibrant balance that complements the fresh and crunchy salad components, making it suitable for festive meals or light lunches.
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings:
8
people
Calories:
213 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Apple Cider Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar raw
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard or Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
Salad Assembly:
- 1 pound mixed greens
- 1 large apple , thinly sliced
- ¼ large red onion , thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans
- ½ cup gorgonzola cheese crumbled
Instructions
- To prepare the dressing, combine the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper in a 12-ounce glass jar with a lid. Start with just 2 tablespoons of honey, and add the other tablespoon if you'd like the dressing to be sweeter. (My family prefers using all 3 tablespoons.) Stir well, until the dressing looks well mixed, and set it aside. If you find you need to brighten the flavor, stir in 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- To assemble the salad, add the leafy greens to a large salad bowl, and top them with the sliced apples, onions, dried cranberries, and pecans. You can add the blue cheese on top, too, or serve it on the side with a spoon, for guests who might not enjoy cheese.
- Pour the dressing generously over the salad, just before serving, and toss well to make sure everything is well coated. You might not need to use all of the dressing, but any leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The dressing can be prepared up to three days ahead to simplify meal prep.
- Chop apples and onions just before assembling to prevent browning.
- Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
- Mixed greens from the store save time, but chopped romaine can substitute if preferred.
Nutrition Information
Calories
213kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Cholesterol
5mg
(2%)
Sodium
170mg
(7%)
Potassium
189mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
13g
(26%)
Vitamin A
717IU
(14%)
Vitamin C
15mg
(17%)
Calcium
54mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 213
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 213kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 170mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 189mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 717IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 54mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.