Colorful Pecan and Feta Romaine Salad with Balsamic and Poppyseed Dressings Recipe
Introduction
This vibrant salad combines fresh romaine lettuce, colorful peppers, and a mix of tangy cheeses and crunchy nuts for a delightful texture and flavor. Paired with a unique blend of balsamic and poppyseed dressings, it’s perfect as a light meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish.
Ingredients
- 8 cups romaine lettuce, torn or chopped
- 1 yellow pepper, chopped into 1/4″ pieces
- 1/2 orange pepper, chopped into 1/4″ pieces
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Balsamic Dressing:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp honey dijon mustard (substitute regular dijon if needed)
- Pinch salt & pepper
- Poppyseed Dressing:
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp finely grated sweet onion
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the romaine lettuce, yellow pepper, orange pepper, red onion, feta cheese, toasted pecans, craisins, and pepitas into a large bowl. Toss well to combine.
- Step 2: To make the balsamic dressing, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, honey dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a glass jar. Shake well to mix.
- Step 3: For the poppyseed dressing, whisk together white wine vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, dry mustard, mayonnaise, lemon zest, grated sweet onion, dijon mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil in a medium bowl until smooth. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
- Step 4: Combine equal parts (1:1 ratio) of balsamic and poppyseed dressings in a bowl and whisk to blend.
- Step 5: Drizzle the mixed dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Serve with additional dressing on the side to add as desired.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute toasted walnuts or almonds for pecans to vary the nutty flavor and texture.
- Use regular dijon mustard if honey dijon is not available; the dressing will still have a nice balance.
- For a lighter version, reduce the mayonnaise in the poppyseed dressing or substitute with Greek yogurt.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp to make this salad a more substantial main course.
Storage
Store leftover salad and dressings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Toss the salad with dressing just before serving to keep the greens crisp. Dressings can be shaken or whisked again before use.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the dressings ahead of time?
Yes, both the balsamic and poppyseed dressings can be made several days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just shake or whisk well before serving.
What if I don’t have pepitas?
If you don’t have pepitas, you can omit them or substitute with sunflower seeds or additional toasted nuts for a similar crunch.
PrintColorful Pecan and Feta Romaine Salad with Balsamic and Poppyseed Dressings Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful mixed salad combining crisp romaine lettuce, colorful peppers, red onion, tangy feta cheese, toasted pecans, and sweet craisins and pepitas. This salad is perfectly complemented by a unique blend of balsamic and poppyseed dressings, offering a harmonious balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 cups romaine lettuce, torn or chopped
- 1 yellow pepper, chopped into 1/4” pieces
- 1/2 orange pepper, chopped into 1/4” pieces
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
Balsamic Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp honey dijon mustard (substitute regular dijon mustard if unavailable)
- Pinch of salt & pepper
Poppyseed Dressing
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp finely grated sweet onion
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad: Place all salad ingredients—romaine lettuce, yellow and orange peppers, red onion, feta cheese, toasted pecans, craisins, and pepitas—into a large bowl and toss well to combine evenly.
- Make the Balsamic Dressing: Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, honey dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a glass jar. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is well emulsified.
- Make the Poppyseed Dressing: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together white wine vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, dry mustard, mayonnaise, lemon zest, grated sweet onion, dijon mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil until smooth and fully combined. Transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Combine the Dressings: Mix equal parts (1 cup each) of the balsamic and poppyseed dressings in a bowl and whisk until well blended to create the final dressing for the salad.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the combined dressing over the prepared salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients. Serve immediately, with additional dressing on the side for topping the salad as desired.
Notes
- Toast pecans before chopping to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Adjust the amount of maple syrup and honey in dressings to suit your preferred sweetness level.
- The combined dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Use regular dijon mustard if honey dijon mustard is unavailable.
- For a nuttier twist, substitute pepitas with toasted sunflower seeds.
- Romaine lettuce can be substituted with other crunchy greens such as iceberg or a spring mix.
Keywords: romaine lettuce salad, feta salad, pecan salad, craisin salad, poppyseed dressing, balsamic dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian salad
