Description
A fresh and vibrant Apple Arugula Salad featuring sweet maple-roasted pecans, tart balsamic dressing, and creamy goat cheese, perfect for a light and flavorful meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 5 oz baby arugula (about 5 cups)
- 3 apples (Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp), thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried figs, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup goat cheese crumbles
- 1 cup pecan halves
- Pinch of sea salt
Maple Pecan Coating
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Balsamic Dressing
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼–½ teaspoon sea salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Maple Pecans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, toss the pecan halves with 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt until they are evenly coated. Spread the pecans in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 5–7 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning, until they are golden brown and fragrant. Remove from the oven and allow the pecans to cool completely.
- Prepare the Balsamic Dressing: In a bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, 2 teaspoons maple syrup, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing. Adjust seasoning with sea salt and black pepper according to taste.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, add the baby arugula, thinly sliced apples, chopped dried figs, and thinly sliced red onion. Add the cooled maple-roasted pecans and goat cheese crumbles. Drizzle half of the prepared balsamic dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately with the remaining dressing on the side.
Notes
- Watch the pecans closely while roasting to avoid burning.
- The type of apples can be substituted with any crisp, sweet variety like Honeycrisp or Gala.
- Maple syrup adds subtle sweetness to both the pecans and dressing, enhancing the salad’s flavor balance.
- The salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the arugula and apples.
- For a vegan option, substitute goat cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
