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Holiday Honeycrisp Salad

This Holiday Honeycrisp Salad is the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors for your holiday table. Featuring crisp Honeycrisp apples, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and crumbled blue cheese, all tossed with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette, this salad adds a refreshing, colorful touch to any festive meal. It’s simple, elegant, and ready in minutes — the kind of recipe that makes healthy eating feel indulgent.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

For the Apple Cider Vinaigrette:

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil or light vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice or apple cider
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons honey to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the Salad:

  • 3 medium Honeycrisp apples about 1 pound, thinly sliced
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon to prevent browning
  • 12 ounces mixed salad greens spring mix, spinach, arugula, or baby romaine
  • 1 cup pecan halves toasted or candied
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries
  • 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese or feta/goat cheese as alternative

Instructions

  • Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, honey, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as desired.
  • Slice the apples: Thinly slice the Honeycrisp apples and toss them with lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
  • Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine salad greens, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and crumbled blue cheese. Add the sliced apples on top.
  • Dress the salad: Drizzle with apple cider vinaigrette just before serving. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
  • Serve immediately: Serve the salad fresh for the best texture and color.

Notes

  • Make Ahead: Prepare the vinaigrette up to 3 days in advance and store in the fridge. Slice the apples and toss the salad just before serving.
  • Substitutions: Swap blue cheese for goat cheese or feta. Use walnuts or almonds instead of pecans.
  • Add Protein: Top with grilled chicken or roasted turkey for a full meal.
  • Vegan Option: Omit cheese and replace honey with maple syrup.
  • Presentation Tip: Arrange the apple slices on top for a beautiful, layered look before tossing.