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Apple Cranberry Bacon Salad

Apple Cranberry Bacon Salad
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The Apple Cranberry Bacon Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors. Combining crisp apples, tangy dried cranberries, smoky bacon, mixed greens, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing, this salad is ideal as a light lunch, a satisfying side, or a creative topping for sandwiches. Its delightful textures and flavors make it a favorite for any season, especially fall and winter.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 crisp apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 6 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • 5 cups mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, or mixed lettuce), washed and dried
  • 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans (optional), chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and thoroughly dry the mixed greens. Core and thinly slice the apples, keeping the skins on for extra color and nutrients. Thinly slice the red onion. Cook the bacon until crisp, then crumble into bite-size pieces.
  2. Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Adjust sweetness or tanginess to taste, ensuring the dressing is smooth and well combined.
  3. Toss the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced apples, dried cranberries, red onion, and nuts if using. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
  4. Add Bacon and Serve: Just before serving, top the salad with crispy bacon to maintain its crunch. Give the salad a final light toss and plate it for serving.

Notes

  • Choose Fresh Apples: Use crisp apples that hold their texture well to avoid mushy bites.
  • Cook Bacon Perfectly: Cook bacon until crisp but not burnt for maximum flavor and crunch.
  • Dress Just Before Serving: Toss the salad with dressing right before eating to keep greens crisp.
  • Dry Ingredients Well: Ensure greens and apples are fully dry to prevent sogginess.
  • Add Dressing Gradually: Start with a small amount of dressing and add more as needed for balanced flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple salad, cranberry salad, bacon salad, fall salad, mixed greens salad, healthy salad, gluten free salad

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/apple-cranberry-bacon-salad/