Candied Pecan Salad

Did you know that making candied pecans at home was this easy!? They’re done in just about 10 mins and you don’t even need to turn your oven on! Pecans, raw or candied, are the star ingredient in so many sweet and savory dishes. Not only are they delicious and versatile, but they’re also extremely nutrient dense. They MAKE this easy summer salad and add the perfect sweetness and crunch. You’ve got to try this! Along with being delicious, here are a few more reasons to incorporate pecans into your everyday meals: You may not guess it based on their buttery texture and naturally sweet taste but pecans are actually packed with nutrients! They’re high in “good” monounsaturated fats & provide plant protein, fiber, and essential minerals. They make for the perfect on-the-go snack! I personally love mixing them with dried cranberries & dark chocolate for a fast trail mix and they’re great to bring along when traveling. Check out this video on exactly how I make my candied pecans.

What You'll Need:

Candied Pecans:

+ 2 cups pecans
+ ¼ cup brown sugar
+ 1 tsp. cinnamon
+ ¾ tsp. salt
+ ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (adjust based on preference)
+ 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
+ ½ tsp. vanilla extract
+ 2 tbsp. water

Salad:

+ Mixed greens
+ 1-2 cups candied pecans
+ 2 cups strawberries, quartered
+ ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
+ ½ cup pomegranate seeds
+ Feta or mozzarella cheese to top

Dressing:

+ ¼ cup EVOO
+ 2 tbsp maple syrup
+ 1 lemon, juiced
+ 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
+ Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Toast pecans in skillet over med heat until fragrant then remove from heat and set aside.

2. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cayenne, vanilla extract, butter and water to skillet over medium heat and stir constantly until mixture begins to bubble (about 1-2 minutes). Add pecans to the mixture and stir thoroughly to coat.

3. Continue cooking for approximately 3-5 min. Remove from heat and transfer to baking sheet to let cool.

4. Combine all salad ingredients, add dressing and toss!

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