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17 Comments

Sweet Maple Apple Pecan Salad Recipe

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope May 15, 2025

Jump to Recipe

This Apple Pecan Salad is a year-round favorite at my table—fresh, simple, and full of flavor. Made with crisp apples, toasted pecans, creamy goat cheese, and a maple vinaigrette that everyone raves about, it’s easy to change up with seasonal fruit like strawberries or pears to fit any time of year.

Sweet maple apple pecan salad in wooden bowl with serving spoons.
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  • Maple Pecan Salad Ingredients:
  • Assembling Maple Pecan Salad
  • Make-ahead tips
  • More salad recipes:
  • Sweet Maple Apple Pecan Salad Recipe

Every time I make this salad, people ask for the recipe, I even have a friend who has taken the recipe to her family in New Zealand, and it is now spreading all over New Zealand. I love it! An international sensation!

Whether for brunch, luncheon or dinner, this salad complements so many dishes. I gave the recipe to my sister-in-law a few years back, she L.O.V.E.D. it, in fact, she loved it so much my niece called begging me to give her a new salad dressing recipe…because it was all she ever made! LOL!

So I hope you give it a try, I promise EVERYONE will ask you for the recipe, and the dressing is to die for!

Maple Pecan Salad Ingredients:

  • Greens: I love using mixed baby greens for this salad, but also try using chopped romaine, or even adding a little arugula, it’d probably also be great with spinach.
  • Red Onion: Sliced very thin (I love my mandoline slicer), if using raw red onions, soak them in ice water for 10 minutes to take the bite out, or even better, use my pickled red onions.
  • Apple: Use your favorite, but a sweet-tart apple works great here, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, sliced thin and then chopped into bite size pieces
  • Candied Pecans: You can use storebought, or try making these Maple Bourbon Candied Pecans — oh my!
  • Goat Cheese: Try regular, or honey goat cheese; but you may also swap with Feta, which has a bit more bite to it, but still delish!

Maple Vinaigrette Ingredients

  • Maple Syrup: Use 100% real maple syrup here, it really shines.
  • Vinegar: I use red or white wine, but also try white or dark balsamic and even apple cider vinegar for slightly different variations.
  • Oil: I typically use neutral oils like Avocado or Grapeseed oil.
  • Kosher salt: Balances the sweet and tart flavors perfectly.

Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.

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Assembling Maple Pecan Salad

Grab the ingredients for your maple vinaigrette and pour in a mason jar and shake, shake, shake. (see options below). Go ahead and count that as your arm workout for the day! Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Place mixed spring lettuce (I like baby mixed greens) or other favorite greens into a salad bowl. The small salad containers from the market is perfect, depending on how many you are feeding, this recipe easily doubles or triples for larger crowds.

Sweet Maple Apple Pecan Salad in glass bowl | www.thefreshcooky.com

Slice apple into thin slices and then chop into smaller pieces, no need to peel, more vitamins and fiber that way, but if you must, feel free to peel. My apple preferences are Granny Smith (for tartness) or Honeycrisp (for sweet-tart), but use your fave! 

Throw in thinly sliced red onions, use this simple mandoline slicer to get them really thin — see pro tip below for taking the “bite” out of red onions! I like red onions, I just don’t want them overwhelming each bite or take it a notch higher and try these pickled red onions!! They are mildly flavored, without the bite of raw onions. Oh my!

Pro Tip – Taking the Bite Out of Red Onions:
I picked up this simple trick years ago from a caterer I worked with at an event, and it’s been a game-changer ever since. Just soak sliced red onions in ice water for about 8–10 minutes. It softens that harsh bite while keeping all the good onion flavor—perfect for salads like this one!

Pickled Red Onions | www.thefreshcooky.com #pickling #redonions #pickledredonions

Take it up a notch and serve with these crisp, smoky Maple Bourbon Pecans!

Lob in goat cheese (or check out options below), pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Toss salad with dressing just before serving, adjusting dressing to size of salad served. Serve immediately.

Make-ahead tips

  • Slice apples ahead of time; squeeze in a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, toss well, refrigerate 
  • Prep sliced onions, place in a baggie or glass container in the fridge 
  • Measure candied pecans and have them ready to toss in salad
  • Make your dressing and refrigerate
Bowl of Sweet Apple Maple Salad | www.thefreshcooky.com

Apple Pecan Salad Variations or Substitutions:

  1. Add fresh berries; I used sliced strawberries and pomegranate arils in the salad shown. Fresh boysenberries, blueberries or raspberries would be yummy too. Or even juicy, sliced pears.
  2. Add a handful or two of pomegranate arils for a fun, pop of color and crunch!
  3. Instead of candied pecans, use candied walnuts or almonds, macadamia nuts or even plain toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or pine nuts.
  4. Try feta or blue cheese instead of goat cheese.
  5. Change your vinegar; try white or dark balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar or a wine vinegar (red or white).
  6. Add shredded cooked chicken to make this a heartier salad for a luncheon
  7. Sling in a handful of crisp fried bacon bits, now we’re talking!

More salad recipes:

Check out all of our salad recipes for something for every occasion.

  • Green Goddess Chicken Salad
  • Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette
  • Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol

Like this recipe?

Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!

Recipe Card

Sweet Maple Apple Pecan Salad Recipe

4.70 from 10 readers
Author: Kathleen | The Fresh Cooky
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Print Pin SaveSaved!
A delightfully light and filling salad, with bright colors and a light dressing. Wonderful for any season, throughout the year, easily adapt to seasonal fruits and flavors.

Equipment

  • 9-Inch Handcrafted Indonesian Round Teak Wood Salad Serving Bowl
  • Eddington 50012 Italian Olive Wood Salad Server, Handcrafted in Europe, 2-Piece Set, 13-Inches
  • Clear Glass Wavy Salad Bowl, Mixing Bowl

Ingredients 
US Customary – Metric

Maple Syrup Vinaigrette

  • 3 Tablespoons maple syrup real
  • 2 Tablespoons vinegar typically I use red or white wine, but also try white or dark balsamic and even apple cider vinegar
  • ยผ cup salad oil I typically use Avocado oil or Grapeseed oil
  • ยผ teaspoon kosher salt

Salad

  • 1 small container mixed baby greens or try chopped romaine
  • ยผ – ยฝ medium medium red onion sliced very thin, or try my pickled red onions (yum!)
  • 1 large Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apple, sliced thin and then chopped into bite size pieces
  • 1 cup candied pecans
  • ยผ cup goat cheese try honey, plain or smoked, crumbled

Optional Add-Ins or Swaps

  • Add fresh sliced strawberries boysenberries, raspberries, even blueberries
  • Add pomegranate arils a few tablespoons
  • Replace candied pecans for candied walnuts candied sliced/slivered almonds, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds or pepitas.
  • Try feta or blue cheese crumbles in place of goat cheese
  • Try white or dark balsamic or apple cider vinegar
  • Toss in some shredded cooked chicken breast for a heartier salad or bacon bits (or both!!)
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Maple Vinaigrette

  • To make vinaigrette, simply combine all ingredients in a salad shaker (or repurpose a jelly jar or mason jar) and shake well until combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
    3 Tablespoons maple syrup, 2 Tablespoons vinegar, ยผ cup salad oil, ยผ teaspoon kosher salt

Salad

  • Place greens, sliced red onions, sliced & chopped apples (and any other mix-ins) into salad bowl. Add cheese and pecans, pour on dressing to taste and toss. Serve immediately.
    1 small container mixed baby greens, ยผ – ยฝ medium medium red onion, 1 large Granny Smith, 1 cup candied pecans, ยผ cup goat cheese
  • Many people have allergies, so sometimes I offer the nuts and cheese in small bowls on the side for serving, toss everything else and serve with optional toppings. Serve with soup or sandwiches or add shredded cooked chicken for a heartier salad.
Last step! Leave a RatingRate this recipe here. This helps other readers and helps support this website.

Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 11 serving | Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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Hello, Sunshine!

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Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, Iโ€™m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

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  1. Peti Tuiasosopo

    Sun, Jun 16, 2024 at 1:48 pm

    5 stars
    An absolutely one of the fam favs from The Fresh Cooky line of wholesome eats!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Sun, Jun 16, 2024 at 2:05 pm

      Thank you so much Peti!!

      Reply
  2. Peti

    Fri, May 12, 2023 at 12:06 pm

    5 stars
    Hello friend- one of our fam fav (and other fams too).

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Fri, May 12, 2023 at 12:09 pm

      I really need to update this because itโ€™s so good and more people need to know. Hope you are well, my friend!

      Reply
  3. Peti

    Mon, May 30, 2022 at 2:14 pm

    5 stars
    Aloha friend, family gathering fave ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Wed, Jun 1, 2022 at 12:16 pm

      Aloha back at you! So glad you love it!

      Reply
  4. Lisa

    Sat, Nov 14, 2020 at 8:52 pm

    5 stars
    We made this for our church,s women,s brunch. It was a hit and the nuts were amazing touch! Yummy and easy dressing too!

    Reply
  5. Cameron Morgan

    Fri, May 10, 2019 at 10:53 am

    We made this for Easter and will make it again soon — delicious and not difficult! Very pretty, and the nuts make it a little more special than everyday …

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Fri, May 10, 2019 at 12:44 pm

      Thanks Cameron, that’s so fun to hear!! It’s one of my favorite salads for sure!!

      Reply
  6. Betty Schofield

    Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    4 stars
    Will be making this salad soon.

    Reply
    • Kathleen[email protected]

      Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 8:34 pm

      I hope you do!! Let me know what you think!

      Reply
  7. Betty Schofield

    Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    4 stars
    Will be making this salad soon.

    Reply
  8. Betty Schofield

    Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    4 stars
    Will be making this salad soon.

    Reply
  9. Lisa Connolly

    Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 5:53 am

    5 stars
    I am making this for Easter! It sounds yummy.

    Reply
    • Kathleen[email protected]

      Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 7:25 am

      It is SOO yummy Lisa, let me know what you think!! Happy Easter my friend!

      Reply
  10. Lisa Connolly

    Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 5:53 am

    5 stars
    I am making this for Easter! It sounds yummy.

    Reply
  11. Lisa Connolly

    Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 5:53 am

    5 stars
    I am making this for Easter! It sounds yummy.

    Reply

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Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

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