If you’re craving a salad that perfectly captures the cozy, vibrant essence of fall, then look no further than this Harvest Salad – A Delightful Autumn Dish Recipe. It’s a gorgeous medley of crisp greens, sweet and tart fruit, tender roasted squash, crunchy candied nuts, and tangy cheese all dressed in a luscious, slightly sweet maple vinaigrette. Each bite bursts with colors, textures, and deep seasonal flavors that make it feel like a celebration on your plate. This salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a true centerpiece full of comforting autumn goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Harvest Salad comes from a handful of simple, fresh ingredients that each bring their own personality and balance to the dish. From the bright crunch of apples and pears to the roasted warmth of butternut squash, you’ll find that these essentials combine beautifully to create a salad that’s anything but ordinary.
- Mixed greens (6 cups): A fresh blend like arugula, spinach, and romaine gives a mix of peppery, mild, and crisp textures that form the perfect base.
- Medium apple (1, thinly sliced): Adds crisp sweetness and a juicy snap that contrasts the roasted elements wonderfully.
- Ripe pear (1, sliced): Offers a soft, honeyed flavor that complements the tart apple and sharp greens.
- Roasted butternut squash cubes (½ cup): Warm and tender, these bring a creamy, caramelized note that feels like autumn in every bite.
- Dried cranberries (¼ cup): A pop of tart, chewy sweetness to balance the salad’s savory elements.
- Candied pecans or walnuts (¼ cup): Crunchy and sweet with a hint of toasted nuttiness, elevating the texture and flavor depth.
- Crumbled goat cheese or feta (¼ cup): Provides a creamy, tangy finish that ties all the flavors together.
- Red onion (2 tablespoons, thinly sliced): Adds just a touch of sharpness and color for contrast.
- Olive oil (¼ cup): Forms the rich, smooth base of the dressing.
- Apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons): Brings a bright, fruity acidity to balance the sweetness.
- Maple syrup (1 tablespoon): Adds a natural, warm sweetness that enhances the autumn vibes.
- Dijon mustard (1 teaspoon): Gives a subtle tang and depth to the dressing.
- Salt and pepper: To taste; these seasonings lift all the flavors to perfection.
How to Make Harvest Salad – A Delightful Autumn Dish Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Roasted Butternut Squash
Start by preheating your oven and tossing cubed butternut squash with a little olive oil, salt, and a pinch of cinnamon if you like. Roast until tender and slightly caramelized, about 20 minutes. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the squash, making it a cozy, comforting addition to the salad that contrasts beautifully with the fresh ingredients.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Dressing
While the squash is roasting, mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake until it becomes an emulsified, silky dressing that’s tangy, sweet, and perfectly balanced. This dressing is the secret that ties every ingredient together in this Harvest Salad – A Delightful Autumn Dish Recipe.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, layer your mixed greens first for a fresh bed. Then artfully add the sliced apples and pears, roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, candied nuts, goat cheese, and thin slices of red onion. Drizzle the dressing generously over the top and toss gently to coat everything evenly without bruising the delicate leaves.
Step 4: Serve or Store
This salad is best enjoyed immediately for the freshest flavors and textures. However, if needed, you can keep the dressing and salad components separate in the refrigerator, assembling them just before serving to maintain crispness and vibrancy.
How to Serve Harvest Salad – A Delightful Autumn Dish Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme make a lovely garnish, adding a burst of herbal brightness against the sweet and savory notes. A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper on top also enhances the overall flavor complexity.
Side Dishes
This Harvest Salad pairs wonderfully with heartier proteins like grilled chicken or turkey, making it a perfect starter or side for autumn dinners and holiday meals. It also complements warm butternut squash soup or crusty bread for a cozy, balanced feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the salad in individual mason jars for a charming autumn picnic or lunchbox option. Or arrange the ingredients artfully on a large platter for a stunning buffet centerpiece that showcases the vibrant colors of the season beautifully.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the salad ingredients and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Mixed greens can get soggy, so keeping them apart ensures your salad stays fresh and crisp when you reassemble.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not freeze well due to the fresh greens, fruit, and cheese. However, you can freeze extra roasted butternut squash cubes separately and add them later when making the salad fresh.
Reheating
Only reheat roasted components like the squash gently in the oven or microwave. Avoid reheating the whole salad, as that will wilt the greens and alter the fresh, crisp textures that make this Harvest Salad – A Delightful Autumn Dish Recipe so irresistible.
FAQs
Can I make this salad vegan?
Absolutely! Simply swap out the goat cheese or feta for a plant-based cheese alternative, and use maple syrup for sweetness in your dressing to keep it vegan-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
What can I substitute if I don’t have butternut squash?
Butternut squash adds a lovely sweetness and texture, but you can substitute roasted sweet potatoes or pumpkin cubes for a similar fall feel.
How far in advance can I prepare this salad?
To maintain maximum freshness, prep and roast the squash a day ahead, store ingredients separately, and toss everything together just before serving.
Can this salad be served warm?
It’s best as a cool or room temperature salad, but you can serve the roasted squash warm while keeping the greens and other ingredients cool for a delightful contrast.
Are there any nuts or ingredients I can omit due to allergies?
Yes! You can omit the candied nuts or swap them for toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to keep the crunch while accommodating allergies.
Final Thoughts
This Harvest Salad – A Delightful Autumn Dish Recipe truly captures everything wonderful about autumn on your plate. It’s vibrant, cozy, and incredibly easy to make, making it one of those recipes you’ll want to revisit all season long. I promise once you try it, this salad will become a cherished favorite at your table as much as it is at mine. So go ahead, gather those lovely fall ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a bowl full of seasonal magic!
Print
Harvest Salad – A Delightful Autumn Dish Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Description
Harvest Salad is a delightful autumn dish that combines the fresh, crisp flavors of mixed greens, apple, and pear with the warm, roasted taste of butternut squash. Enhanced by dried cranberries, candied nuts, creamy goat cheese, and a tangy maple-Dijon dressing, this salad offers the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tart, making it an ideal seasonal meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed greens (such as arugula, spinach, and romaine)
- 1 medium apple, thinly sliced
- 1 ripe pear, sliced
- ½ cup roasted butternut squash cubes
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup candied pecans or walnuts
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
- 2 tablespoons red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the mixture is fully combined and emulsified.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, layer the mixed greens, sliced apple, pear, roasted butternut squash cubes, dried cranberries, candied pecans or walnuts, crumbled goat cheese or feta, and thinly sliced red onion evenly.
- Add the Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently yet thoroughly to evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing without bruising the delicate greens.
- Serve or Store: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors, or refrigerate the salad components separately and combine them just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and texture.
Notes
- Roast the butternut squash in advance by tossing it with olive oil, salt, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra warmth and flavor.
- Feel free to substitute goat cheese with blue cheese or swap out the candied nuts for pumpkin seeds to suit taste preferences or allergies.
- This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or turkey for added protein if desired.
