16 Autumn Salad Recipes You'll Totally Fall For
With fall comes the abundance of new seasonal produce, from pumpkins and apples to cranberries and kale. That means it's time to shift your salad rotation from summer squash and tomatoes to heartier, cozier fare. Think about deep green leaves of kale, vibrant Brussels sprouts, spicy arugula, and creamy pumpkin. Here, we've rounded up our best fall salad recipes– a delicious assortment ready to shine on your dinner table. Try one of our fall salad recipes with apples for a little sweetness and crunch, or turn a plain old bowl of lettuce into the main course with one of our entree salad ideas. Whether the salad is the star of your table or just the appetizer, these recipes will ensure that eating your vegetables is a fun (and anticipated) mealtime habit for everyone—kids included.
Harvest Salad
Recipe: Harvest Salad
Crisp apples, fresh Brussels sprouts, and hearty kabocha squash come together to create a delightful, quintessentially fall salad. The maple syrup in the dressing takes it over the top.
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Festive Fall Salad
Recipe: Festive Fall SaladÂ
Packed with creamy butternut squash and topped with crunchy cornbread croutons, this Festive Fall Salad recipe welcomes the season with all the signature flavors. Brussels sprouts and spinach add body, and roasted turkey breast turns it into a delicious meal.
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Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad
Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad
Cheerful slices of bright orange sugar pumpkin complement the fresh greens of the baby kale. Pomegranate arils provide a tartly sweet contrast to the bitter greens and rich pumpkin flesh, complete with crumbled goat cheese and toasted pecans for a little crunch. A simple vinaigrette of Dijon mustard, honey, pepper, and apple cider vinegar tie it all up with a little spice.
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Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad
Recipe: Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad
Earthy beets really shine in this fall salad, especially when you opt for the fun colors like the Chioggia beets or golden ones, which will pop on the plate. They'll taper the spiciness of the arugula, as will the Granny Smiths.
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Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans
Recipe: Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans
Crunchy Brussels sprouts, crisp apples, and plenty of pecans come together for a refreshing autumn salad that allows seasonal produce to shine.
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Cranberry-Apple-Ginger Salad
Recipe: Cranberry-Apple-Ginger Salad
Fresh ginger and black pepper give this salad a refreshing kick and compliment the array of fruit for a unique fall salad that belongs at your dinner party table or in the fridge for a quick nibble.
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Apple and Goat Cheese Salad with Candied Pecans
Recipe: Apple and Goat Cheese Salad with Candied Pecans
Spicy, paprika-laden pecans provide a smoky element to this crispy apple and winter greens salad. Creamy goat cheese mellows the strong flavors and the vinaigrette brings fall vibes with allspice, orange zest, and lemon juice. Â
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Kale and Sweet Potato Salad with Chicken
Recipe: Kale and Sweet Potato Salad with Chicken
Lunch or dinner in 30 minutes? Yes, please. Chicken breasts and sweet potato cubes roast in the oven while you prepare everything else. Don't be nervous about candying your own pecans—they come together quickly and easily.
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Simple Beet Salad
Recipe: Simple Beet Salad
Throw this together when you're in a pinch. Beets do all the heavy lifting and a pre-made balsamic vinaigrette will do just fine.
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Spiked Cranberry-Orange Salad
Recipe: Spiked Cranberry-Orange Salad
This cranberry salad gets a little spike of orange-flavored liqueur, making it decidedly sophisticated and a sure standout on the sideboard.
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Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spicy Pecans
Recipe: Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spicy Pecans
Sweet, savory, spicy, tangy—this is a salad that delivers on all fronts. Quality beets are essential, so pick some good ones.
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Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Recipe: Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs
In this lighter version of a Caesar salad, all the familiar flavors are here, but swap the lettuce for kale and use Greek yogurt for a little creaminess. Don't skimp on the Parmesan.
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Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette
Recipe: Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette
With all the bright colors tossed together, this salad gives a much-needed burst of sunshine.Â
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Steak, Sweet Potato, and Blue Cheese Salad
Recipe: Steak, Sweet Potato, and Blue Cheese Salad
Juicy steak takes this salad from side dish to most-requested main course.
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Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Recipe: Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Though touted as a "summer salad," sweet potatoes really shine in the fall. Roasting the sweet potatoes renders a beautiful, caramelized crust that's just a little crispy.
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Classic Cranberry Salad
Recipe: Classic Cranberry Salad
Move over, canned stuff. This homemade version is so good, you'll want it all season long (not just on Thanksgiving!). Â