Name: Apple Pomegranate & Pecan Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: ½ cup pomegranate juice; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon honey; ¼ cup canola oil; ⅛ teaspoon salt; ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 medium Granny Smith apples (cored and chopped); 1 5 ounce package baby spinach; ⅔ cup pomegranate seeds; ⅓ cup candied pecans; ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

Crunchy apples, sweet pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, fresh spinach, and feta all tossed in a tangy homemade vinaigrette.

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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Let me tell you, this Apple Pomegranate & Pecan Salad Recipe wasn’t born out of some Pinterest-perfect meal plan. Nope. It came out of one of those “oh shoot, what do I do with these?” moments. I’d just come back from the farmer’s market, arms full of Granny Smiths because they looked too shiny to pass up (does anyone else impulse-buy fruit like that?). At home, there was already a pomegranate hanging out on the counter—half-forgotten since Christmas—and a bag of candied pecans I’d been sneaking handfuls from during late-night Netflix binges.

I tossed them all together with some spinach because, well, greens make it “healthy,” right? Added feta because cheese is basically a love language in my family. And you know what? It was one of those happy accidents that tasted better than anything I’d actually planned. My husband called it “fancy without trying,” which might be the highest compliment coming from a guy who thinks dinner rolls count as vegetables.

Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:

Why You’ll Love This Apple Pomegranate & Pecan Salad Recipe?

I mean, first off, this isn’t your sad little desk lunch salad. The Apple Pomegranate & Pecan Salad Recipe is colorful, crunchy, and just fun to eat. You get the tart snap of apple, the juicy pops of pomegranate seeds (like nature’s candy), the sweet crunch of candied pecans, and then feta crashes the party with its salty kick. All tied together with a pomegranate-balsamic vinaigrette that tastes like something you’d order in a restaurant—only you don’t have to tip anyone.

Plus, it comes together in like 20 minutes. Which, let’s be real, is less time than it takes to scroll Instagram reels you didn’t even mean to watch.

Ingredient Notes:

Here’s the thing with this Apple Pomegranate & Pecan Salad Recipe: every ingredient pulls its weight.

Pomegranate juice – It’s the heart of the dressing. Tart, sweet, and looks like ruby-red magic.
Balsamic vinegar – A moody, tangy background note. Kind of like the bass player who never gets enough credit.
Dijon mustard – Tiny bit of heat, keeps the dressing together. Without it, the vinaigrette is like a band that keeps breaking up.
Honey – Sweetness that softens all the sharper edges.
Canola oil – Smooth operator. Makes the dressing silky and pourable.
Granny Smith apples – Tart, crisp, and reliable. You could swap in Honeycrisp if you want it sweeter, but I like the punch of Granny.
Spinach – Strong enough to hold up under dressing without wilting into sadness.
Pomegranate seeds – Little bursts of joy. Messy to get out, but worth it.
Candied pecans – If you can resist eating them all before tossing them in, I salute you.
Feta cheese – Salty, crumbly, and ties everything together. Goat cheese could work too, but feta is the star here.

How To Make Apple Pomegranate & Pecan Salad?

Step 1: Make the dressing.
Grab your food processor (or a whisk if you’re feeling old-school). Add pomegranate juice, balsamic vinegar, Dijon, and honey. Give it a good whirl or whisk until it looks blended. Then—slowly, and I mean sloooowly—pour in the canola oil while it’s mixing. This is the part where you’ll feel like a Food Network star. Finish it off with a pinch of salt and pepper. Done.

Step 2: Build the salad.
In a big bowl (seriously, don’t skimp here—you’ll regret trying to toss in something too small), throw in your apples, spinach, pomegranate seeds, pecans, and feta.

Step 3: Toss and serve.
Drizzle the dressing over everything, toss gently, and stand back to admire your work. It’s one of those salads that actually looks as good as it tastes, which isn’t always the case.

Storage Options:

Here’s the honest truth: this Apple Pomegranate & Pecan Salad Recipe is best fresh. The apples stay crisp, the pecans stay crunchy, and the spinach stays perky. Stick it in the fridge overnight and the spinach starts looking like it’s had a rough day. If you want to prep ahead, keep the dressing separate in a jar and toss it just before serving. That way, everything stays fresh and nobody’s sad about soggy greens.

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Variations and Substitutions:

Here’s where you can play around a little.

Apples – Use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or whatever you’ve got. Each gives a slightly different vibe.
Greens – Arugula for peppery bite, kale if you want it hearty.
Nuts – Walnuts or almonds if you’re not team pecan.
Cheese – Blue cheese if you like bold, goat cheese for creamy tang.
Juice – Cranberry juice works in place of pomegranate if you’re improvising.

What to Serve with Apple Pomegranate & Pecan Salad?

This salad’s flexible. It’s like that one friend who can hang out with anybody.

Roast chicken – Perfect weeknight dinner combo.
Grilled salmon – The tangy dressing loves a rich fish.
Holiday mains – Bright and fresh alongside turkey, ham, or prime rib.
Crusty bread – Because bread with salad just feels right.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I really need candied pecans?
“Need” is strong. You can use plain toasted pecans, but candied adds that sweet crunch that makes people ask for the recipe.

Can it be dairy-free?
Sure thing. Skip the feta or swap it for a dairy-free crumble. It’ll still taste great.

What if I don’t own a food processor?
No stress. Just whisk the dressing by hand. It might not be quite as smooth, but honestly, rustic is charming.

So there you go—the Apple Pomegranate & Pecan Salad Recipe that accidentally became one of my favorites. It’s quick, it’s colorful, and it’s the kind of thing people will think you worked way harder on than you actually did. Ever tried throwing random things together and striking gold? This is mine. Can’t wait to hear what you think.

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

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