Harvest Apple Pecan Salad with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing
This delightful Harvest Apple Pecan Salad is a crowd-pleaser, inspired by my friend Joan. A vibrant medley of crisp romaine lettuce, sweet Fuji apples, and crunchy toasted pecans creates a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will leave everyone reaching for seconds. To elevate this salad, it’s complemented by a luscious honey poppy seed dressing that's both sweet and tangy. Perfect as a side dish or as a main course by adding grilled chicken, this salad is flexible and can be adjusted based on your guests' preferences. The combination of ingredients can easily suit any gathering, from a casual lunch to a festive dinner party.
6
Servings
200
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
1 head (washed and torn)
Red onion
1 small (thinly sliced)
Feta cheese
6 ounces (crumbled)
Dried cranberries or raisins
1/2 cup (none)
Fuji apple
1 (diced)
Pecans
1 cup (toasted and chopped)
Cider vinegar
1/2 cup (none)
Vegetable oil
3/4 cup (none)
Honey
1/2 cup (none)
Poppy seeds
2 tablespoons (none)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Wash and tear the romaine lettuce and place it in a large salad bowl.
2
Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the bowl.
3
Dice the Fuji apple and fold in gently, along with the dried cranberries (or raisins) and crumbled feta cheese.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the toasted and chopped pecans with the salad mixture.
5
In another bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: cider vinegar, vegetable oil, honey, poppy seeds, and pepper until well blended.
6
Just before serving, pour the dressing onto the salad and toss thoroughly to coat the ingredients evenly.
7
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
12
Fat
25
Carbs
3.3
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Harvest Apple Pecan Salad?
The Harvest Apple Pecan Salad is a vibrant medley of crisp romaine lettuce, sweet Fuji apples, crunchy toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese, all tossed in a sweet and tangy honey poppy seed dressing.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What kind of apples should I use for this salad?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 Fuji apple, known for its sweetness and crisp texture, though you could substitute with other crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala.
What ingredients are in the honey poppy seed dressing?
The dressing is made by whisking together cider vinegar, vegetable oil, honey, poppy seeds, and a pinch of pepper.
Can I add protein to make this a main course?
Yes, you can easily turn this into a main course by adding grilled chicken or another protein of your choice.
How should the pecans be prepared?
The pecans should be toasted and chopped to enhance their flavor and provide a better crunch in the salad.
Is there a substitute for dried cranberries?
Yes, if you do not have dried cranberries, you can use raisins as an alternative.
When is the best time to add the dressing?
You should pour the dressing onto the salad and toss it thoroughly just before serving to ensure the lettuce stays crisp.
How many calories are in a serving of this salad?
Each serving of the Harvest Apple Pecan Salad contains approximately 200 calories.
What type of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 ounces of crumbled feta cheese.
What type of lettuce is recommended?
One head of romaine lettuce, washed and torn, is the recommended base for this salad.
Is this salad considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy salad and features fresh fruit, nuts, and greens.
What kind of vinegar is used for the dressing?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of cider vinegar for the honey poppy seed dressing.
How much fat is in a serving?
There are 12 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
Each serving contains 25 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in the salad?
There are 3.3 grams of protein per serving of this salad.
How should I prepare the red onion?
The red onion should be thinly sliced before being added to the salad bowl.
Can I use a different type of oil for the dressing?
The recipe specifies vegetable oil, but you could likely use another neutral oil like canola or light olive oil.
How many poppy seeds are needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds.
Is this a good recipe for parties?
Yes, it is described as a crowd-pleaser and is tagged as party food and a great side dish for any gathering.
How much honey goes into the dressing?
The dressing requires 1/2 cup of honey.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 total ingredients required for this salad and its dressing.
What kind of pepper should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of standard pepper for the dressing.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
You can prepare the ingredients and dressing separately in advance, but you should only combine and toss them just before serving to maintain freshness.
Is the apple diced or sliced?
The instructions specify to dice the Fuji apple.
How do I incorporate the pecans?
The toasted and chopped pecans should be combined with the rest of the salad mixture in a large bowl before the dressing is added.
What size onion is needed?
One small red onion is sufficient for this recipe.
Can I use something other than pecans?
While the recipe specifies pecans, you could substitute them with walnuts or sliced almonds if preferred.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Based on the listed ingredients (vegetables, fruit, nuts, honey, vinegar, oil, and feta), this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Who inspired this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by the author's friend, Joan.