This Fall Salad with apples and pecans is perfect for autumn! This salad, made with delicious honey mustard dressing, is a great holiday side dish or just a hearty lunch.
I am so excited to share this amazing Fall Salad Recipe with you. It has the perfect combination of flavors and textures and then is topped with delicious Honey Mustard Dressing. It is a great savory recipe for your apples from apple picking.
Made with some simple ingredients, this is a reader favorite recipe. It is delicious enough to entertain with at a holiday or a party, but it is simple enough that you could take it with for lunch. And, I have lots of variations listed below so you get the exact flavors you are looking for.
Just took this to a Christmas party last night of 14 women and everyone loved it! Never thought they would eat the whole thing! Will probably make for the family Christmas dinner.
How to Make a Fall Salad
If you can dice fruit and whisk dressing, you can make this salad. Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients with measurements.
- Make the salad dressing. Whisk together the ingredients. This dressing will keep well in the refrigerator if you want to make it the night before. Just let it come to room temperature before serving and give it a good shake.
- Combine the remaining ingredients. In a large bowl combine the mixed greens, diced fruit, craisins, blue cheese and pecans. You may find that it is better to leave the cheese on the side if you are serving guests.
Honey Mustard Dressing
As mentioned, I made my own salad dressing for this recipe. It comes together simply with ingredients that I always have on hand. Like most salad dressings it is a balance of oil and an acid. Here we are using lime juice.
- Olive Oil
- Lime Juice
- Honey
- Mustard
- Salt & Pepper
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap out the blue cheese. Not everyone is a fan of blue cheese. You can easily take that out and add in feta cheese instead.
- Change the pecans. If you can’t find walnuts or they don’t appeal to you, use walnuts instead.
- Kick the pecans up a notch. This recipe is great with salted pecans, but even more festive with candied pecans.
- Mix up the apples. I love Gala Fuji and Jonathan apples in this, but you can use what you have.
- Add in bacon. Looking for another great flavor to add to this salad? Pop in some bacon like we do in my Apple Salad with Bacon.
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of this salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. My suggestion would be to serve the dressing on the side. Then lightly toss any leftovers with a little dressing. This will keep the fruit from browning in the refrigerator.
FAQ
This isn’t a great salad to prepare ahead of time because the apple and pear will brown. The dressing can be made ahead, which will save you a little time. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature and give it a good shake before serving.
Feta, goat cheese, or slices of Parmesan (like in my Brussel Sprout Salad) are all good substitutes. I also have other swaps listed above.
What to Serve with Fall Salad
This salad makes a great Thanksgiving salad. At other times of the year, you can round this recipe out with a few other dishes, and it can be a meal to entertain with! Try serving it with:
If you make this great salad recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Apple Pecan Fall Salad
Ingredients
For Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 1 apple I love Jonathan, Fuji, or Gala for this salad, diced
- 1 pear diced
- 1/3 cup craisins
- 1/2 cup blue cheese read about substitutions here
- 1/2 cup salted pecans
Honey Mustard Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a mason jar, combine all the ingredients for the dressing and then shake to combine.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients. Toss to combine. Serve with the dressing on the side.
Notes
MARK SCHILE says
I can’t wait to see what treat is in my inbox. I love your apple pecan salad; it is simply delicious. It’s my go to salad. I also like that most dressings taste scrumptious upon this salad.
I’m so glad you like it!
Sara says
Love it!!! Took to a neighbors for dinner. They all loved it. Will be remaking this salad for bunco this coming week. I’d did use Gorgonzola instead of blu cheese and used craisens that were 50% less sweet. I made my own salted pecans. Amazing and easy. Thanks!
I’m so glad it was a hit, Sara!
Lee A Cleveland says
Great salad for Thanksgiving! I used a combination of lemon & lime juice and added bacon plus thin sliced red onions.
I’m so glad that you liked it!
Lori says
I made this for a potluck Christmas dinner and it was devoured! I loved the sweet and salty flavors in this salad. And yes, the bacon puts it over the top. Thanks for sharing your fabulous recipe.
I’m so glad that you liked it!
Janet simpson says
Years ago I took care of a woman who is 92 years old and had this recipe though hers was slightly different and no offense I prefer hers or even after trying it she did use feta always. She also, along with ( cinnamon and sugar spiced) pecans, used shelled and roasted sunflower seeds . Pat also, instead of any kind honey or sugar in the dressing, it was always 2 tablespoons of real maple syrup . Sometimes more if the Dijon mustard was older and extra spicy, as it sharpens with age
Nancy says
Love this recipe! So easy and so delicious! I especially love the dressing with the fresh lime flavor.
I’m so glad you liked this!