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–+ servings

Simple Apple Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese

A refreshing apple arugula salad featuring creamy goat cheese, crunchy candied pecans, and tangy balsamic dressing. Perfect for fall gatherings, light lunches, or as an appetizer!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Candied Pecans
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • pinch of sea salt
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp sea salt (to taste)
For the Salad
  • 5 oz arugula
  • 3 apples (sliced very thin)
  • 1/4 cup red onion (sliced thin)
  • 1/2 cup figs (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup goat cheese crumbles
  • candied pecans (prepared earlier)

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Whisk
  • Large salad bowl

Method
 

Candy the Pecans
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Toss the pecans with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 5–7 minutes or until toasted and slightly darkened. Remove from the oven and cool completely for maximum crunch.
Prepare the Dressing
  1. Whisk together 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and sea salt to taste. Let the dressing sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Assemble the Salad
  1. Add 5 ounces of arugula to a large salad bowl. Arrange the thinly sliced apples, chopped figs, red onion slices, goat cheese crumbles, and candied pecans over the greens. Drizzle about half the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 6gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 310mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 5gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Keep the dressing separate to prevent sogginess. Toss apple slices with lemon juice to avoid browning if prepping ahead. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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