This easy cranberry salad with pecans is a protein-packed delight that is perfect as a side salad, light lunch, or to add to your holiday table. With tangy goat cheese, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a zesty dressing, this flavorful salad is a crowd-pleaser that's ready in just 10 minutes.
This post contains helpful tips and tricks! If you're in a rush, please use the "Jump to Recipe" below!
💭 Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy to assemble. All you need to do is combine the salad ingredients, whisk together the dressing (skip if you have store-bought dressing!), top the salad with goat cheese, and serve! This easy recipe takes 10 minutes or even less!
- Full of nutrients. This salad is made with fresh ingredients that are packed with protein, fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins to get you through the day.
- Perfect Thanksgiving salad, holiday side dish, or light lunch for busy days anytime of the year!
📋 Ingredients and notes
To make this delicious cranberry salad, you'll need mixed salad greens, goat cheese, dried cranberries, and pecans. For the salad dressing, you'll need extra virgin olive oil, golden syrup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Variations & Substitutions
- Mixed salad greens. Use store-bought mixed salad greens or buy fresh greens of your choice: arugula, spinach, lettuce, and kale.
- Goat cheese. You can substitute goat cheese with cotija cheese or feta cheese.
- Dried cranberries. Substitute with other dried fruit like raisins or currants. Fresh cranberries tend to be very tart, so the flavors of your salad will be different if you use fresh instead of dried cranberries.
- Pecans. For a more flavorful crunch, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the salad. You can also use candied pecans for a sweeter taste.
- Dressing. I used lemon Dijon dressing for this recipe, which complements the sweet and tangy flavor of the salad. Another great dressing for this recipe is balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
📖 How to make cranberry salad with pecans
Step 1:
Add salad greens, pecans, and dried cranberries in a salad bowl.
Step 2:
In a small bowl, add the dressing ingredients, olive oil, golden syrup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined.
Step 3:
Drizzle your desired amount of dressing, crumble the goat cheese on top and serve.
👩🏽🍳 Tips for the best cranberry salad with pecans
⭐ Allow the goat cheese to come to room temperature. This enhances its creaminess and makes it easier to crumble evenly.
- Prepare all the salad ingredients before making the dressing.
- Consider toasting the pecans in a dry pan for a few minutes! This adds a nice nutty flavor and crunch to the salad.
- You can add chickpeas, tofu, or quinoa to make this a complete meal with protein.
- Refrigerate the goat cheese and dressing before adding to the salad.
👩🏽🍳 Troubleshooting FAQs
I used a zesty lemon Dijon dressing which pairs perfectly with the flavors of this cranberry salad! You can also use a vinaigrette dressing with balsamic or red wine vinegar.
Keep the ingredients in separate airtight containers and place them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
You can add any protein of your choice to make this salad a complete meal! Some of our favorite additions are chickpeas, tofu, and quinoa.
🍴 How to serve cranberry salad with pecans
The best way to have this easy cranberry salad recipe is to serve it fresh. Assemble the ingredients just before serving to maintain the fresh and crisp texture of the greens and prevent them from becoming soggy.
Serve cranberry salad with a crusty bread, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or your favorite main dish!
🍴Storage and reheating suggestions
Store the salad ingredients in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for longer, about 3-4 days. Place paper towels at the bottom of the mixed green container to help absorb extra moisture. Store the dressing separately, preferably in a sealed mason jar, and refrigerate it.
🍴 More delicious salad recipes
If you like this recipe, check out my other delicious salad recipes:
📖 Recipe
Cranberry Salad with Pecans
Ingredients
Salad:
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
Dressing:
- ⅓ cup olive oil, extra virgin
- 1½ tablespoons maple syrup, substitute golden syrup
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Add salad greens, pecans and dried cranberries in a salad bowl.
- In a small bowl, add the dressing ingredients, olive oil, golden syrup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined.
- Drizzle your desired amount of dressing, crumble the goat cheese on top and serve.
Notes
- Prepare all the salad ingredients before making the dressing.
- Allow the goat cheese to come to room temperature. This enhances its creaminess and makes it easier to crumble evenly.
- Consider toasting the pecans in a dry pan for a few minutes! This adds a nice nutty flavor and crunch to the salad.
- You can add chickpeas, tofu, or quinoa to make this a complete meal with protein.
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