Cinnamon-Spiced Apple and Pecan Salad with Maple Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

A refreshing salad featuring crisp apples, toasted pecans, and a maple cinnamon vinaigrette that brightens any holiday table. This Mediterranean-inspired Christmas recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 10 minutes, pairs mixed salad greens, Granny Smith apple, toasted pecans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 5 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 large, cored and thinly sliced Granny Smith apple
• 1/2 cup, roughly chopped toasted pecans
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed salad greens, 1 large Granny Smith apple cored and thinly sliced, 1/2 cup toasted and roughly chopped pecans, and 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
3. Step 3: Drizzle the maple cinnamon dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately to maintain crispness.