Minnesota Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
A vibrant, nutrient-packed salad celebrating Midwest harvests, featuring seasonal apple and cranberries in a sweet-tart maple dressing. This american-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed greens, diced apple, dried cranberries 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 280 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
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup, diced apple
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup, chopped walnuts
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp maple syrup, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups mixed greens, 1/2 cup diced apple, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, and 1/4 cup chopped walnuts.
- Step 3: Drizzle the maple vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated, ensuring the greens are lightly dressed and the ingredients are distributed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Minnesota Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 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 Minnesota Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette?
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 greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Minnesota Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette?
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 Minnesota Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette 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.
What goes well with Minnesota Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette?
American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
