Description
A delightful fall salad featuring fresh apples, candied walnuts, and savory turkey bacon, perfect for autumn gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 red or green apples, quartered and finely sliced
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- 3–4 slices of turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 6 cups mixed salad greens and arugula
- 1/2 red onion, finely sliced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup feta or goat cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted walnut halves or pieces
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple butter (or apple sauce, optional)
- 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
Instructions
- Toss the apple slices with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Add in the mixed salad greens, crumbled turkey bacon, sliced red onion, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
- Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, add the sugar, walnuts, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using), and stir until well combined.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until walnuts are golden, then remove from heat and let cool.
- Whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, apple butter, and maple syrup or honey until blended to make the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss to combine, and top with the candied walnuts and crumbled feta or goat cheese (if using). Serve immediately.
Notes
Make ahead: Prep the salad ingredients ahead of time and store separately. Add dressings and toppings right before serving for freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg