15-Minute Apple Pecan Salad
A vibrant salad combining crisp Honeycrisp apples, crunchy candied pecans, and sharp aged white cheddar with fresh romaine lettuce. The tangy-sweet creamy lemon dressing made with crème fraiche balances the rich nuts and cheese perfectly. This elegant salad works beautifully as a light lunch, dinner side, or holiday entertaining dish. The combination of textures and flavors creates a sophisticated salad that's both refreshing and satisfying.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup crème fraiche or plain Greek yogurtsour cream1:1dairyadds dairy
slightly more tangy
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 lemon, zested
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 heads Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 large Honeycrisp apples, thinly slicedGala or Fuji apples1:1fruit
different sweetness level
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup candied pecanstoasted walnuts1:1nutsbudget
less sweet
- 4 oz aged white cheddar cheese, grated with a potato peeler or large gratergoat cheese3 ozdairy
tangier and creamier
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced
Instructions
- 1
Combine crème fraiche or Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, and salt in a medium bowl
- 2
Whisk until smooth and set aside
- 3
Place lettuce in a large bowl
- 4
Drizzle lemon juice over apple slices and toss to prevent browning
- 5
Add apple slices, candied pecans, grated cheese, and chives to the salad bowl
- 6
Add the creamy lemon dressing and toss until salad is well coated
- 7
Serve immediately
Tips
Make the dressing up to 2 days in advance for easier meal prep and better flavor development.
Use a potato peeler or large grater on the cheddar to create delicate cheese ribbons that distribute better throughout the salad.
Toss apple slices with lemon juice immediately after cutting to prevent browning and maintain crisp texture.
Good to Know
Refrigerate dressed salad up to 2 hours. Store dressing separately up to 2 days.
Make dressing up to 2 days in advance. Prep ingredients same day for best texture.
Serve immediately after dressing to maintain crisp lettuce and prevent wilting.
Common Mistakes
Dress salad just before serving to avoid wilted greens.
Don't skip the lemon juice on apples to prevent browning.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
different sweetness level
less sweet
FAQ
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Make the dressing up to 2 days ahead, but assemble and dress the salad just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp and prevent wilting.
What if I don't have candied pecans?
Toast regular pecans in a dry pan for 3-4 minutes, then toss with a little honey while warm. Let cool before adding to salad.
How long will leftovers keep?
Dressed salad keeps 1-2 hours refrigerated before wilting. Undressed components keep 1 day separately, dressing keeps 2 days.