10+ Fall Salad Recipes to Celebrate the Season’s Flavors

As the leaves change and the air grows crisp, fall is the perfect time to enjoy a variety of fresh salads. You can create delicious meals that reflect the rich flavors of the season. Using seasonal ingredients like apples, squash, and nuts will make your salads not only tasty but also vibrant and nourishing.

Fall salads are versatile and can be made to suit any occasion, from casual family dinners to festive gatherings. They provide a great way to showcase seasonal produce while keeping your meals light and healthy.

Get ready to explore delicious recipes that will celebrate the best of autumn!

1) Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad

This Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad is perfect for fall. It combines sweet Honeycrisp apples with creamy feta cheese. The salad is also mixed with spicy arugula and crunchy nuts for extra flavor and texture.

You will love the tangy apple cider vinaigrette that ties everything together. Each bite is refreshing and satisfying. It’s a great addition to your autumn meals or a light lunch.

Ingredients

• 2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
• 6 cups arugula or shredded kale
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup raw pecans
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
• 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto (optional)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinaigrette

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine arugula and apple slices.
2. Top with feta, pecans, and pumpkin seeds.
3. Add prosciutto if using.
4. Drizzle with apple cider vinaigrette.
5. Toss gently to combine and serve.

2) Roasted Sweet Potato and Avocado Salad

This Roasted Sweet Potato and Avocado Salad is a delightful fall dish. You’ll love the mix of flavors and textures. The sweet potatoes are tender and slightly caramelized, while the avocado adds creaminess.

To make it even better, you can add toasted nuts for crunch. A light dressing of apple cider vinegar brightens everything up. This salad is simple and perfect for any fall meal.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1/4 cup pecans, toasted
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss the diced sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for about 25-30 minutes.
4. In a bowl, combine the mixed greens, avocado, and roasted sweet potatoes.
5. Drizzle with apple cider vinegar and sprinkle toasted pecans on top.
6. Toss gently and serve.

3) Kale and Maple Balsamic Salad

This Kale and Maple Balsamic Salad is a tasty way to enjoy fall flavors. You’ll love how fresh kale combines with sweet maple balsamic dressing.

Start with finely chopped kale as your base. Add roasted squash, apples, or even some toasted nuts for extra crunch.

The maple balsamic dressing brings everything together. It’s easy to make and adds a lovely sweet and tangy taste.

This salad is not just healthy, but also colorful and inviting to eat.

Ingredients

• 6 cups kale, finely chopped
• 1 cup roasted kabocha squash, diced
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roast the squash for 25-30 minutes until tender.
3. In a bowl, mix maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, combine kale, roasted squash, apple, walnuts, and raisins.
5. Drizzle with the dressing and toss well before serving.

4) Crispy Prosciutto and Baby Arugula Salad

This salad is a delightful mix of flavors and textures. The crispy prosciutto adds a savory crunch that pairs well with the peppery baby arugula.

You can easily make this dish by adding sweet ingredients like pears or apples. Toss in some nuts for added crunch and a light dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

This salad can be a great side or a light meal.

Ingredients

• 4 cups baby arugula
• 6 slices prosciutto
• 1 pear, sliced
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Bake the prosciutto slices until crispy, about 10 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, toss the arugula, pears, and walnuts.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Top with crispy prosciutto and serve right away.

5) Pomegranate and Candied Nut Salad

This Pomegranate and Candied Nut Salad is a delightful mix of flavors. The juicy pomegranates add a sweet crunch, while the candied nuts bring a warm, toasty flavor. It’s perfect for autumn gatherings.

To prepare, start with a base of fresh spinach or mixed greens. Add in pomegranate seeds and your choice of candied nuts, like pecans or walnuts. A light dressing of balsamic vinaigrette enhances the sweetness.

This salad is visually appealing and a healthy choice. Enjoy it as a side dish or a light meal.

Ingredients

• Fresh spinach or mixed greens
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup candied nuts (pecans or walnuts)
• Balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse and dry the fresh greens.
2. In a large bowl, combine the greens, pomegranate seeds, and candied nuts.
3. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

6) Sweet Potato, Chicken, and Cranberry Salad

This Sweet Potato, Chicken, and Cranberry Salad is a perfect fall dish. You can enjoy the blend of flavors while getting a healthy boost.

Start by roasting sweet potatoes until they are tender. You can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes.

Next, cook some chicken breast. You can grill, bake, or pan-sear it until cooked through. Mix the chicken with the sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, and a handful of nuts for crunch.

To finish, drizzle with a vinaigrette of your choice or a honey mustard dressing. This adds a tasty layer to your salad.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup pecans or walnuts
• Dressing of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Peel and chop sweet potatoes. Roast for 25 minutes.
3. Cook chicken breast until no longer pink.
4. Mix sweet potatoes, chicken, cranberries, and nuts.
5. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

7) Granny Smith Apple and Goat Cheese Salad

This salad is a perfect mix of flavors and textures. You’ll enjoy the tartness of Granny Smith apples paired with creamy goat cheese. It’s fresh, easy to make, and great for fall.

Start by mixing together some fresh greens. You can use spinach, arugula, or a spring mix. Then, add thinly sliced Granny Smith apples for a crisp bite.

Next, sprinkle crumbled goat cheese on top. The rich creaminess balances the tart apple flavor nicely. For a bit of crunch, add some toasted pecans or walnuts.

Drizzle the salad with a simple apple cider vinaigrette. This dressing brings everything together beautifully.

Ingredients

• 4 cups of mixed greens
• 1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
• 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup pecans or walnuts, toasted
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens and apple slices.
2. Add crumbled goat cheese and toasted nuts.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

8) Roasted Butternut Squash and Pepitas Salad

This roasted butternut squash and pepitas salad is a perfect dish for fall. The sweet and tender butternut squash pairs well with the crunchy pepitas. You can add your favorite greens for extra flavor.

To make this salad, start by roasting the butternut squash until it’s golden. Toss it with mixed greens and sprinkle pepitas on top. A simple vinaigrette can bring all the flavors together.

Feel free to add extras like cranberries or feta cheese for more variety. This salad not only tastes good but also adds beautiful colors to your table.

Ingredients

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 4 cups mixed greens
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: cranberries, feta cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes.
4. In a bowl, combine mixed greens and roasted squash.
5. Top with pepitas and optional ingredients. Serve and enjoy!

9) Blue Cheese and Bacon Autumn Salad

This Blue Cheese and Bacon Autumn Salad brings together rich flavors that celebrate the season. Crispy bacon adds a savory crunch, while blue cheese brings a creamy tang. Fresh greens create a perfect base for this delicious combination.

You can also add some sliced apples or pears for a sweet touch. Ingredients like walnuts or pecans enhance the texture and flavor. A light vinaigrette binds it all together.

This salad is not just tasty; it’s also easy to prepare. You can whip it up for a quick lunch or as a side at dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 cups mixed salad greens
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1/4 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans)
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it.
2. Place salad greens in a large bowl.
3. Add sliced apple, crumbled blue cheese, and nuts.
4. Top with crumbled bacon.
5. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss to combine.

10) Maple Cider Vinaigrette Salad

The Maple Cider Vinaigrette Salad is perfect for fall. The salad combines crispy apples, roasted sweet potatoes, and crunchy pecans. Drizzled with a sweet maple vinaigrette, it’s a delightful mix of flavors.

To make the vinaigrette, whisk together cider vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. Then, slowly add olive oil for a smooth blend. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.

This salad is not only tasty but also colorful. You can serve it warm or cold, making it a versatile dish for any meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 cup roasted sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/4 cup feta cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roast sweet potatoes until tender, about 25 minutes.
3. In a bowl, combine vinegar, syrup, mustard, and oil.
4. Toss mixed greens, apples, sweet potatoes, and pecans in a large bowl.
5. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle feta cheese on top.