Description
A delightful autumn salad featuring sweet apples, crunchy candied walnuts, and savory turkey bacon.
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 the mixed salad greens, crumbled turkey bacon, sliced red onion, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
- For the candied walnuts, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the sugar, walnuts, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir until well combined, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until walnuts are golden. 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 for 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 the candied walnuts and dressing in advance for convenience. Store them separately to maintain the freshness of the salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg