Description
This fresh and flavorful Apple Arugula Salad combines crisp apples, tangy goat cheese, and maple-roasted pecans, all tossed in a sweet balsamic maple dressing. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy—ideal for lunch, dinner, or your next gathering.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
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2 crisp apples (Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp), thinly sliced
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5 cups baby arugula
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¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
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⅓ cup dried figs, chopped
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½ cup crumbled goat cheese
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½ cup pecan halves
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2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (for roasting pecans)
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Pinch of sea salt
For the Dressing:
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¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
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2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
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1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (or honey)
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
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Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Roast the Pecans:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss pecans with maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 5–7 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Let cool. -
Prepare the Dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and emulsified. -
Assemble the Salad:
In a large salad bowl, add arugula. Top with sliced apples, chopped figs, red onion, goat cheese, and roasted pecans. -
Dress and Serve:
Drizzle about half the dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to coat, adding more dressing as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Make Ahead: Roast the pecans and mix the dressing up to 2 days in advance. Store separately until ready to serve.
Variations: Substitute feta for goat cheese or dried cranberries for figs.
Add Protein: Top with grilled chicken or turkey for a heartier meal.
Storage: Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated (undressed) for up to 24 hours.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed / No-Cook (except pecans)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving (¼ recipe)
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg