Honey-Spiced Pecan Salad with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese
A refreshing salad featuring toasted pecans coated in honey and warming spices, tossed with mixed greens and creamy goat cheese for a perfect balance of sweet and savory. This American-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs mixed salad greens, pecans, honey into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup halves pecans
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 4 oz crumbled goat cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup pecan halves and toast, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Step 2: Remove the skillet from heat and immediately stir in 2 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, tossing to coat the pecans evenly. Let cool.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: In a large salad bowl, toss 6 cups mixed salad greens with the honey-spiced pecans and 4 oz crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Step 5: Serve immediately as a light lunch or starter.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Spiced Pecan Salad with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Honey-Spiced Pecan Salad with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed salad greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Spiced Pecan Salad with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Honey-Spiced Pecan Salad with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Honey-Spiced Pecan Salad with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
