This Autumn salad is the perfect festive side dish to bring to your holiday gatherings. It’s full of delicious ripe Autumn fruit, sweet candied pecans, tangy honey goat cheese and tossed in a homemade dijon vinaigrette.
What’s so great about this autumn salad is it goes well with just about any main dish. You can even add some herbed grilled chicken to make it a meal in it of itself.
I made this salad a few weeks ago for some friends and they all wanted the recipe. It’s quickly become my favorite fall salad.
It’s a lighter side to so many heavy holiday dishes and it is a refreshing way to get some greens and color into your overall meal.
I love all the festive colors, flavors and textures. Not to mention it’s delicious.
It’s made in less than 15 minutes or less but can also be meal prepped. You can make it ahead of time to lower your stress load this holiday cooking season and check off a holiday side for a stress free dinner party.
This is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, a Fall get together or for Christmas dinner.
What You Need For A Beautiful Autumn Salad:
Here is everything you will need to make this beautiful autumn salad.
I have also included some variations and notes in case you need alternatives.
You can prep some of the ingredients ahead of time to save you time.
I would hold off on cutting the fruit until you are ready to serve so that it doesn’t oxidize and turn brown. You can prep everything else though ahead.
Ingredients:
Mixed Greens: You can really use any lettuce you like, but I love tender greens. I buy a bag of mixed greens at my local grocery store. Turn it into an Autumn kale salad by using kale instead of mixed greens.
Apples: I love using a sweet, crisp apple like Honeycrisp apples or Pink Lady apples. Green apples would also work for a more tart flavor.
Pears: I prefer using Bartlett pears, but you can use any pears you would like.
Pomegranate seeds: Pomegranate seeds are delicious this time of year. This adds a delicious crunch to the salad.
Mandarine Oranges: You can also use clementines or orange segments.
Red onion: Red onion adds a little zing to the salad. If you like a little less pungent flavor soak them in cold water for about 20 minutes.
Candied Pecans: I love to buy candied pecans at Trader Joe’s. You can also make your own.
Honey Goat Cheese: You can find honey goat cheese at Trader Joe’s or at many other specialty markets.
Bacon: Bacon adds a saltiness to the salad. I like using either black forest bacon or applewood smoked bacon.
If you are prepping your ingredients ahead of time you can place the onions, pecans, pomegranate seeds and your bacon into baggies.
Make the dressing in a mason jar and grab all your other ingredients and place them in your salad bowl.
Store in the fridge until you are ready to finish assembling.
Ingredients For The Dijon Vinaigrette:
Honey: Honey adds a sweetness and also helps emulsify the dressing.
White Balsamic: I love white balsamic for this vinaigrette. It’s not as pungent as some other balsamic vinegars and adds the perfect amount of acidity.
Dijon Mustard: Dijon adds tanginess, but also helps emulsify the dressing. You can also use a whole grain mustard.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Make sure you use a good high quality extra virgin olive oil for ultimate flavor.
Cinnamon: You only need a touch of ground cinnamon and it will add a wonderful spice flavor.
Salt and Pepper: Use Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Add Some Protein:
I love adding some herbed grilled chicken or herbed grilled pork tenderloin.
You could even add some shredded or cubed rotisserie chicken to the dish if you would like some extra protein.
Other Delicious Salad Recipes:
If you are a salad lover like me try these other delicious salad recipes. These are my favorite fall salad recipes to try out.
And if you enjoyed this one make sure you rate the recipe so more eyes can see it! Making home recipes for you is what brings me joy.
Wedge Salad With Light Blue Cheese Dressing
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Maple Orange Dressing
My Favorite Mediterranean Salad
Orzo Pasta Salad With Roasted Vegetables
Autumn Salad Recipe:
Autumn Salad With Apple, Pear and Dijon Vinaigrette
Autumn Salad With Apple, Pear and Dijon Vinaigrette is the perfect salad to bring to your holiday get togethers.
Ingredients
- 6 slices applewood smoked or black forest bacon
- 16 ounces mixed greens
- 1 Honey Crisp apple, sliced thin
- 1 Bartlett pear, sliced thin
- 2 mandarine oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 cup red onion, sliced thin
- 1/2 cup candied pecans
- 1/2 cup honey goat cheese, crumbled
For The Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- pinch of cinnamon
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and then chop into small pieces.
- To assemble the salad place all the ingredients in a large salad bowl.
- Place all the dressing ingredients into a mason jar, seal and shake until emulsified.
- When you are ready to serve, toss the salad with the dressing.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 339Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 182mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 5gSugar: 46gProtein: 4g
