Apple Pecan Salad

4.84 from 18 votes

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Apple Pecan Salad is made with crunchy, salty, and sweet ingredients all tossed together with a homemade balsamic dressing. Apples + Bacon + Pecans + Garlicky Balsamic goodness = one heck of a party in your mouth. It’s the perfect salad for Fall. If you love a balsamic dressing, you’ll also love my Caprese Salad Recipe!

apple pecan salad in a bowl with large wooden spoon

Why You’ll Love This Salad

It’s so easy! This is a salad you’ll keep coming back to again and again. Made with your favorite salad greens, hickory smoked bacon crumbles, crisp juicy apple, toasted pecans and drizzled with my homemade balsamic vinegar dressing. It’s fancy enough to serve as a side dish to a holiday meal and easy enough to have on any night of the week.

bite of salad on a fork

How to Make Apple Pecan Salad

For full recipe details, including ingredients needed and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is what you can expect when putting together this salad:

apple pecan salad ingredients

Prep Salad Veggies

Place chopped or torn lettuce, cooked and crumbled bacon and diced apple into a large bowl.

Make the Dressing

Whisk clove, dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper together.

Toss Dressing and Salad Together

Toss dressing with salad and serve.

Storing Leftovers + Make Ahead Directions

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. As far as making this salad ahead of time, I would recommend making the dressing a day or two before, and do everything else the day of when you want to serve it. This will save you a little bit of time, but not a ton. Be sure to give the dressing a quick whisk to remix before adding to the salad.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Pecan Salad

What kind of lettuce should I use?

I used red leaf lettuce, but I also like to use romaine or other mixed greens.

What kind of Apples are the best in this salad?

I like fuji apples for this salad. You could also use gala or honey crisp. Use what you like.

Can I add cheese to this salad?

Absolutely! A little feta cheese crumbles, parmesan, blue cheese or goat cheese would be a great addition!

apple pecan salad plated

Other Salad Recipes to Try:

Pin it, print it, and bookmark this page, because you are going to want to have this recipe on hand. If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star review! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

apple pecan salad in a bowl with large wooden spoon
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4.84 from 18 votes

Apple Pecan Salad

Apple Pecan Salad is made with crunchy, salty, and sweet ingredients all tossed together with a homemade balsamic dressing. Enjoy!
servings 3 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 cups red leaf lettuce washed and torn
  • 1 fuji apple washed and diced
  • 4 slices hickory smoked bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 4 tablespoons pecans toasted and chopped

for the dressing-

  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place all salad ingredients into a large bowl. Whisk all ingredients for dressing together. Toss dressing with salad and serve.
    apple pecan salad in a bowl with large wooden spoon

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 336mg | Potassium: 573mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 4250IU | Vitamin C: 6.1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Apple Pecan Salad
4.84 from 18 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




86 Responses
  1. Sherry

    5 stars
    Just love this salad💕. I made it right away. I love the contrast of these ingredients, with that dressing! Yummy!

  2. Apple Cheddar Chicken Salad | Lauren's Latest

    […] served this salad with a homemade Garlic Balsamic Dressing which was originally used overtop this salad, but it works just as nicely and deliciously with this […]

  3. Best Caprese Salad Recipe {Plus Dressing} - Lauren's Latest

    […] herby, sweet and spicy health food. I added a little Garlic Balsamic Dressing originally made for this recipe but any dressing would do. I also added in a few extra greens to fill the salad out more and make […]

  4. Heidi

    5 stars
    This is my go to salad recipe whenever we need to bring a salad to a dinner with friends or family. Everyone always asks for the recipe and I refer them to Lauren’s Latest ????

  5. THE SUMMER PLAN | Alicia Hutchinson

    […] with a salad 6. Taco Salad with Avocado Dressing 7. Chipotle Steak Salad 8. Fish Tacos 9. Apple, Bacon, Pecan Salad (This salad!!) 10. Grilled Sausage and veggies 11. Frozen Burritos (Not like from a gas […]

  6. Two Weeks of Friday Favorites | Alicia Hutchinson

    […] oil dressing that was so good I almost died. Not even kidding.  You can find the recipe HERE. […]

  7. Whole 30 Menu Plan | Alicia Hutchinson

    […] crushed garlic clove, salt and pepper, and about a tsp of Dijon mustard.  So good! Apple Bacon Salad: Seriously the best thing ever for lunch.  […]

  8. Mary

    Love your posts and recipes! And, congratulations on baby no. 3!
    Making your yummy salad for lunch today! Have been searching for a new and tasty dressing!

  9. Mother's Day Recipe Round Up! - The Housewife in Training Files

    […] Apple, Bacon & Pecan Salad with Garlic Balsamic Vinaigrette | Lauren’s Latest […]

  10. Lauren's Latest » Caprese Salad with Garlic Balsamic Dressing

    […] herby, sweet and spicy health food. I added a little Garlic Balsamic Dressing originally made for this recipe but any dressing would do. I also added in a few extra greens to fill the salad out more and make […]

  11. Kori f

    5 stars
    Made this tonight! Hubster loved it! I thought a bit garlicky but I am a bit wussy. Thank you for helping us change up our salad routine.

  12. Things I like Monday | Crazy Jamie

    […] and then I think I will make this recipe too Apple, Bacon & Pecan Salad with Garlic Balsamic Dressing […]

  13. Fall Farm Shares begin Wednesday! (Ordering continues for Market Shares) | Broadfork Farm

    […] Apple, Bacon and Pecan Salad with Balsamic Dressing (Feel free to make it vegetarian if you wish. I’m really just encouraging seasonal fruit and a dressing with our salad greens.) […]

  14. Pinned with Love: Pinterest Roundup for August 2013 | Handmade Jade

    […] @ Half Baked Harvest. 2. salted caramel cheesecake cupcakes → Jaclyn @ Cooking Classy. 3. apple, bacon & pecan salad with garlic balsamic dressing → Lauren @ Lauren’s Latest. 4. sweet potato gnocchi with gouda cheese sauce → Meseidy @ […]

  15. Julie Glazer

    Love this salad. Des was ridiculous. So glad someone else said something about Sean and Catherine. Love you for that!

  16. Leah | So, How's It Taste?

    I know if I make this salad, it will be the only thing I eat for weeks straight! It sounds fantastic!

  17. Stephie @ Eat your heart out

    Brooks is TOTALLY not as into Des as she is into him. This is NOT going to end well. I think she should have sent him home and kept poor Zak…though I am now rooting for Zak to be next Bachelor! Whooo! (I thought he was a dumb bro at the beginning but these last few episodes convinced me otherwise. Even if his family singing to Des was a little creepy and weird. Also, who knew that a nose adjustment was a thing? Hometown dates are always so weird.)

    Oh, And I didn’t care much for Sean picking Catherine, either. They don’t seem to match for me. This stuff clearly consumes me, too.

  18. Terese H.

    Made this for dinner tonight – soooooo good! Totally wowed my husband and 19 year old son! So easy, too – I had everything I needed in my fridge and pantry!

  19. Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen

    Catching up on The Bachelorette tonight. I think my evening also needs to involve this salad….love everything that’s going on here!

  20. Jennie @themessybakerblog

    I love that you’re doing a video journal. How fun! Wow, this salad rocks. I can’t wait to try it.

  21. Lauren

    I thought from the beginning she would pick Brooks but I like you am getting a little worried about her crying. But I have a bad feeling thinking one of them in the next episode either wants to go home or does not want to get married, or something crazy. But I think having a salad and watching reality TV seems like a great way to end the day. Can’t wait to try it out!

    1. Lauren

      You think?? Uh-oh….now I’m worried!! In a preview from last week or the week before, they show everyone crying!! What the heck is going to happen?

  22. carrian

    I love that you are doing a video journal! Are you just using your phone? Awesomeness. Why didn’t I think of that for the couple weeks that Cade was gone?!

  23. Peggy

    I love the video idea! Hmm it probably would have been great while my hubby was gone for 5 (yes FIVE) weeks. He just got home and had to go right back to work… ugh thank you Uncle Sam. Oh yeah he is an active duty reservist so he works/lives/breathes “work” 24/7. 5 weeks at Quantico… and we have 6 weeks to look forward to next year. during which time we have the middle boy turning 18 as well as his graduation from high school… and he will more than likely be leaving for boot camp soon after…. okay we will not borrow trouble. especially since our eldest is currently gone… flew the coop… joined the army (active duty) and is in bootcamp… goal… Army Ranger… he’s loving everything so far… qual’d on the range in the first 20 minutes. I digress… can you tell i am missing adult “conversation”?

    This salad… THANK YOU, Bless you!!! You have saved me!!! WE ate something similar at a local restaurant recently and I’ve struggled to recreate the dressing… girl THIS is it!!! yes i just made salad dressing at 9:00 but as soon as I read this it just clicked…. so insanely good! (i added a few dried cherries to the little bit of salad i tried this one… died, i repeated died!!! it was so good!!!) My family will thank you for this!

  24. Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)

    That looks great! How cute that you are making videos of what you and the kids are up to – he’ll love that!

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