Introduction
Fall salads are anything but boring. With crisp apples, roasted squash, earthy grains, and tangy dressings, these recipes prove salads can be hearty, colorful, and bursting with seasonal flavor. Whether you’re planning a light lunch, a cozy dinner side, or something special for Thanksgiving, these 23 fresh fall salad recipes will keep your taste buds happy all season long.
1. Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
A cozy mix of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cubed butternut squash
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup crumbled feta
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Roast squash at 400°F for 25 minutes.
- Toss with spinach, cranberries, and feta.
- Drizzle vinaigrette before serving.
2. Apple Walnut Salad
Crunchy, sweet, and full of autumn charm.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts
- ¼ cup blue cheese
- 2 tbsp honey mustard dressing
Instructions
- Arrange greens, apples, walnuts, and cheese.
- Toss lightly with dressing before serving.
3. Kale and Quinoa Harvest Salad
A power-packed salad full of texture and nutrients.
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped kale
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup roasted sweet potatoes
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 tbsp lemon-tahini dressing
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a large bowl.
- Massage kale with dressing; toss everything together.
4. Pear and Pecan Salad
Sweet pears meet crunchy pecans and creamy cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 cups arugula
- 1 ripe pear, sliced
- ¼ cup candied pecans
- 2 tbsp goat cheese
- 2 tbsp maple vinaigrette
Instructions
- Layer arugula, pears, and pecans.
- Add cheese; drizzle vinaigrette before serving.
5. Brussels Sprout Slaw
Crunchy, tangy, and incredibly fresh.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shaved Brussels sprouts
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 2 tbsp Dijon dressing
Instructions
- Toss all ingredients together.
- Chill 20 minutes for best flavor.
6. Maple Roasted Beet Salad
A colorful fall favorite that’s sweet and earthy.
Ingredients
- 2 medium beets, roasted
- 3 cups mixed greens
- ¼ cup goat cheese
- ¼ cup walnuts
- 2 tbsp maple vinaigrette
Instructions
- Slice roasted beets; place over greens.
- Add toppings and drizzle dressing.
7. Pumpkin Couscous Salad
Hearty and slightly sweet with warm spices.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked couscous
- 1 cup roasted pumpkin
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Mix ingredients in a bowl.
- Serve warm or chilled.
8. Fig and Arugula Salad
A simple yet elegant fall salad.
Ingredients
- 4 cups arugula
- 4 figs, halved
- ¼ cup shaved Parmesan
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Arrange arugula and figs.
- Top with Parmesan and drizzle glaze.
9. Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad
Protein-packed and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups kale
- 1 cup roasted sweet potatoes
- 1 cup roasted chickpeas
- 2 tbsp tahini lemon dressing
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and toss gently.
10. Cranberry Farro Salad
Nutty, chewy, and perfectly seasonal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked farro
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup feta cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Toss all ingredients; season with salt and pepper.
11. Roasted Carrot and Lentil Salad
Hearty enough for a main course.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 2 cups roasted carrots
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp orange vinaigrette
Instructions
- Combine lentils and carrots.
- Toss with parsley and vinaigrette.
12. Cabbage and Apple Slaw
Crisp and refreshing with a sweet crunch.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 apple, julienned
- ¼ cup raisins
- 3 tbsp creamy dressing
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients and chill 15 minutes.
13. Warm Wild Rice Salad
Earthy, nutty, and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked wild rice
- ½ cup roasted mushrooms
- 1 cup spinach
- 2 tbsp balsamic dressing
Instructions
- Mix ingredients and serve warm.
14. Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Crunchy, creamy, and beautifully balanced.
Ingredients
- 2 cups roasted cauliflower
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 tbsp tahini sauce
Instructions
- Toss roasted cauliflower with toppings.
15. Autumn Cobb Salad
A fall twist on the classic Cobb.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- ½ cup roasted turkey
- 1 apple, diced
- ¼ cup pecans
- 2 tbsp vinaigrette
Instructions
- Arrange all ingredients in rows.
- Drizzle with vinaigrette.
16. Roasted Grape Salad
Sweet, savory, and stunningly unique.
Ingredients
- 2 cups grapes
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 3 cups greens
- ¼ cup feta
Instructions
- Roast grapes 10 mins at 400°F.
- Add to greens and top with feta.
17. Caramelized Onion and Spinach Salad
Deep flavor and creamy tang in every bite.
Ingredients
- 3 cups spinach
- 1 onion, caramelized
- 2 tbsp goat cheese
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Toss spinach and onions; top with cheese and glaze.
18. Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
Sweet pears and tangy cheese — a perfect pair.
Ingredients
- 2 pears, halved and roasted
- 3 cups greens
- ¼ cup blue cheese
- ¼ cup walnuts
Instructions
- Assemble all ingredients; drizzle dressing to serve.
19. Cranberry Orange Spinach Salad
Refreshing and bursting with citrus flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 cups spinach
- 1 orange, segmented
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp citrus vinaigrette
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and toss.
20. Roasted Pumpkin and Barley Salad
Comforting and wholesome.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked barley
- 1 cup roasted pumpkin
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Mix ingredients and serve warm or chilled.
21. Broccoli Apple Crunch Salad
Crunchy, sweet, and colorful.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 apple, diced
- ¼ cup cranberries
- 2 tbsp sunflower seeds
- 2 tbsp yogurt dressing
Instructions
- Combine everything; chill before serving.
22. Warm Roasted Vegetable Salad
The ultimate cozy fall salad.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed roasted veggies
- 2 cups arugula
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Toss roasted veggies over arugula.
- Add dressing and serve warm.
23. Sweet Potato Kale Caesar
A hearty, nutrient-packed Caesar remix.
Ingredients
- 3 cups kale
- 1 cup roasted sweet potatoes
- 2 tbsp Caesar dressing
- 1 tbsp Parmesan
Instructions
- Massage kale with dressing.
- Add toppings and toss.
Conclusion
These fall salads bring together the best of the season — roasted veggies, crisp fruit, hearty grains, and bold dressings. Each one offers a fresh, unexpected take that’s both satisfying and vibrant. Save your favorites, mix and match, and enjoy autumn’s freshest flavors in every bowl. 🍁
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