Candied Pecan and Apple Salad

This candied pecan salad has tangy Granny Smith apples, candied pecans, spring mix, feta cheese, and a homemade balsamic dressing. Perfect for a small group of people and refreshing on a summer day.

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Candied Pecan Salad with Apples

I made this delicious salad after going to a restaurant and having the best salad of my life. I came right home and tried to recreate it for myself. Salads are definitely a big part of our diet. The ones share with you, however, are the old-fashioned comfort food salads like Seven Layer Salad, Macaroni Salad, and Greek Pasta Salad. This candied pecan salad is on the healthier side with spring greens, pecans, and apples. My homemade balsamic dressing is the perfect topping to a healthy salad.

What You’ll Love about this Recipe

• Although there are a few steps to making this salad they are easy steps to make.
• The ingredients are easy to find.

Ingredients

For each salad:

• A plate full of Salad Greens – I love the spring mix, but you can substitute spinach instead
• Crumbled Feta Cheese – about 1/4 cup for each. You can also use goat cheese.
• Granny Smith Apple Sliced – washed and sliced. I love to use an eight-slice handy apple slicer and corer.
• Candied Pecans—If you’d rather, you can make toasted pecans. I think a sugary pecan is needed to balance the tart Granny Smith apple and the salty feta cheese. The recipe for candied pecans is below.
• Balsamic Dressing. You can use store-bought balsamic dressing, make your own favorite balsamic dressing recipe, or use the recipe below.

Ingredients for Candied Pecans:

• Butter – unsalted.
• Brown sugar – I used light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar makes a beautiful color on the pecan
• Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract
• Pecans – Pecan halves are traditional, but you can use pecan pieces
• Granulated sugar – This is used to sprinkle some sugar over the pecans while they are fresh out of the oven.

How to make Candied Pecans:

• On the stovetop, melt the butter over medium heat in a large, non-stick skillet.
• Toss in brown sugar.
• Add vanilla
• Mix to caramelize
• Toss in the pecans and coat them.
• Cook for another few minutes until the liquid cooks down and glazes the nuts.
• Spread the pecans out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
• Sprinkle granulated sugar on hot pecans.
• Let cool

Ingredients for Balsamic Dressing:

• 1 cup olive oil
• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• ¼ tsp salt
• dash ground pepper
• 1 tsp honey
• ½ tsp garlic powder

How to Make the Balsamic Dressing

Whisk all of the ingredients together. I placed my salad dressing in a mason jar so I can quickly shake it up before pouring it onto the salad

How to Make Candied Pecan Salad with Apples

• Lay the salad greens in the middle of the plate.
• Add Cheese and Pecans to the greens
• Form a border of sliced Granny Smith Apples around the salad greens
• Pour balsamic dressing over the greens as desired

Expert Tips

Pour your balsamic dressing into a mason jar. When you are ready to use it, make sure the lid is on tight and shake it up before using it.

Variation

Make a version of this salad with spinach leaves, sweet apples, and goat cheese. Sprinkle with green onions.

FAQs

What cheese goes well with candied pecans?

Gouda, Feta, Goat cheese, and Blue cheese

Why are my Candied Pecans Soggy?

They probably weren’t cooked long enough. Make sure you cook the glaze down until it thickens and the pecans become tender. Allow the pecans to completely cool and crisp up

Should I Refrigerate my Candied Pecans?

It is not necessary to refrigerate candied pecans, but you can place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them to extend their shelf life for another week.

Storing

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks

Serving Size

The candied pecans and balsamic dressing will be enough to make several salads. The salad recipe is for one salad, but you can double or triple and more that portion of the recipe for more servings.

More Salad Recipes You’ll Enjoy

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Printable Salad Recipe

~Melissa – KidFriendlyThingsToDo.Com