Rustic Midwest Apple and Cheddar Salad with Maple Mustard Vinaigrette

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-24 · Updated 2026-06-24

A refreshing salad combining crisp Midwestern apples, sharp cheddar cheese, and toasted pecans, dressed in a sweet and tangy maple mustard vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed salad greens, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, roughly chopped toasted pecans 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
• 2 medium, thinly sliced Midwestern apple (such as Gala or Honeycrisp)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup, roughly chopped toasted pecans
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp pure maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified into a smooth vinaigrette.
2. Step 2: In a large salad bowl, combine 6 cups mixed salad greens, 2 medium thinly sliced Midwestern apples, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup roughly chopped toasted pecans.
3. Step 3: Drizzle the maple mustard vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly before serving immediately.