21 Best Fall Salads For a Cozy and Healthy Season

This Fall Cobb Salad combines roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, and dried cranberries with traditional Cobb ingredients like bacon, hard boiled eggs, and goat cheese. A maple balsamic vinaigrette adds a sweet and tangy finish, enhancing the seasonal flavors.

The salad is arranged over mixed greens and topped with pepitas for added crunch. It offers a hearty, colorful meal that balances savory and sweet elements, perfect for enjoying autumn produce in a fresh way.

This Fall Cobb Salad combines roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, and dried cranberries with classic Cobb ingredients like bacon, hard boiled eggs, and goat cheese. A maple balsamic vinaigrette adds a sweet and tangy finish, highlighting the seasonal flavors of autumn.

The salad is served on a bed of mixed greens with crunchy pepitas for texture and can be customized with ingredient substitutions like sweet potatoes or nuts.

It offers a hearty, flavorful meal that balances fresh produce with savory and sweet elements, perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner.

This fall fruit salad combines crisp apples, juicy grapes, tender blackberries, and crunchy pecans for a balanced mix of textures and flavors. It is tossed in a cinnamon orange dressing made with fresh orange juice, zest, maple syrup, and cinnamon, adding a warm, citrusy note that enhances the fruit’s natural sweetness.

The salad is quick to prepare, taking about 15 minutes, and can be made ahead and refrigerated without the apples browning, thanks to the dressing’s protective coating.

It offers a refreshing, seasonal option perfect for gatherings or a healthy snack, with flexibility to swap ingredients based on preference or availability.

This autumn apple and pear salad combines fresh mixed greens with thinly sliced fruit, crispy bacon, crumbled feta, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds. The salad balances sweet and salty flavors, offering a variety of textures from crunchy to soft in every bite.

A homemade balsamic vinaigrette adds a sweet and tangy finish, served on the side to keep the greens crisp. This salad works well as a side dish or can be turned into a main course by adding sliced chicken or turkey.

This spinach salad combines fresh baby spinach with cooked quinoa, crisp apple slices, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and creamy goat cheese. A bright lemon vinaigrette ties the flavors together, creating a balanced mix of sweet, tangy, and nutty elements.

The quinoa adds protein and texture, making the salad hearty enough to serve as a main dish. Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor, while the lemon dressing brightens the entire salad for a refreshing and satisfying meal.

This roasted sweet potato and feta salad combines caramelized sweet potato cubes with salty feta, crunchy pumpkin seeds, and fresh leafy greens for a balanced mix of textures and flavors.

Pomegranate seeds add bursts of sweetness and tartness, while a tangy lime vinaigrette ties all the ingredients together with a bright finish.

The salad can serve as a hearty main dish or a flavorful side, featuring a blend of baby kale, spinach, and chard that holds up well to the roasted vegetables.

Variations include swapping in different squash, adding extra protein like chickpeas, or incorporating fresh herbs and avocado for added richness.

This Fall Quinoa Spinach Salad combines roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, quinoa, and fresh spinach to create a hearty and nutritious meal. Toasted pepitas and dried cranberries add crunch and sweetness, while a creamy apple cider vinegar tahini dressing ties all the flavors together.

The salad offers a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and vitamins, making it a satisfying option for lunch or dinner. Ingredients can be easily swapped to suit different tastes, allowing for variations like kale instead of spinach or sweet potatoes in place of squash.

This dish combines tender roasted butternut squash with crispy bacon, baby kale, spinach, and tangy feta cheese for a flavorful fall salad. It is finished with a maple-rosemary vinaigrette that adds a sweet and herbaceous touch to the mix of textures and tastes.

The salad also includes toasted walnuts, red onion, and dried cranberries, creating a balance of savory, sweet, and crunchy elements. It can be served as a side or made into a main dish by adding roasted chicken or swapping ingredients to suit personal preferences.

This vibrant salad combines fresh baby spinach with crisp Granny Smith and Gala apples, creamy avocado slices, crunchy pecans, mandarin oranges, and dried cranberries. The mix of textures and natural colors creates an inviting and nutritious dish perfect for a light meal or side.

A homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, made with balsamic vinegar, mayo, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and honey, ties all the ingredients together with a balanced tangy and sweet flavor.

The salad is best served immediately after tossing with dressing to keep the spinach fresh and crisp.

This fall pasta salad combines tender rotini pasta with fresh broccoli, carrots, pecans, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a lightly sweetened maple vinaigrette. The salad is served cold, making it a refreshing and colorful side dish perfect for seasonal gatherings.

The vinaigrette blends olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and Italian seasoning to create a balanced dressing that complements the ingredients. Preparing the pasta to al dente and allowing it to reach room temperature before mixing helps the salad absorb the flavors without becoming soggy.

This Spiralized Cabbage and Apple Waldorf Salad combines crisp cabbage and sweet apple, spiralized for a fresh, crunchy texture. It offers a quick, plant-based dish that can be prepared in about 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy days.

The salad uses simple ingredients like mayonnaise or yogurt, with an option to swap in avocado mayonnaise for a creamier twist. It provides a flavorful and wholesome way to enjoy a classic Waldorf salad with a modern, spiralized presentation.

This Apple Bacon & Gorgonzola Salad combines crisp apple slices, smoky bacon, and creamy Gorgonzola cheese for a rich blend of textures and flavors. The addition of dried cranberries and toasted pecans adds sweetness and crunch, making every bite interesting and satisfying.

A sweet balsamic vinaigrette ties the ingredients together with a smooth, tangy finish that enhances the overall taste. This salad works well as a light meal or a flavorful side dish, perfect for lunch, dinner, or holiday gatherings.

This item features a vibrant Apple Quinoa Salad combining cooked quinoa, fresh spinach, crisp apples, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and walnuts. It is dressed with a tangy and sweet maple mustard dressing that enhances the fall-inspired flavors.

The salad offers a nutritious and satisfying option for a light lunch or a side dish at dinner. Variations include swapping greens, grains, nuts, or cheese to suit personal preferences or dietary needs.

This Fall Chopped Salad combines fresh mixed greens with crisp apples, juicy pears, smoky bacon, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and finely minced red onion. The ingredients come together to create a balanced mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy textures that capture the essence of the season.

A tangy honey mustard dressing ties all the flavors together, adding a perfect contrast to the natural sweetness of the fruit. This salad works well as a main dish or a side, pairing nicely with soups, roasted meats, or cornbread for a satisfying meal.

This salad combines crisp apples, creamy white cheddar, and sweet caramelized onions layered over fresh spring greens. A crunchy topping of cranberry almond granola adds texture and a subtle sweetness to every bite.

The dish is finished with a tangy Maple-Dijon vinaigrette that balances the flavors with a hint of maple syrup and mustard. It can be served as a vibrant side or topped with chicken for a satisfying main course.

This dish features rotini pasta tossed with charred butternut squash and Brussels sprouts, creating a balanced blend of sweet and bitter flavors. The vegetables are cooked in olive oil until caramelized, then combined with spinach and fresh parsley for added freshness.

A warm sauce made from browned butter, olive oil, and shallots lightly coats the pasta, enhancing the dish without overpowering it. Optional goat cheese adds a creamy finish, making this a versatile meal suitable for weeknight dinners or holiday side dishes.

This item highlights a vibrant Lemon Dijon Beet Salad featuring roasted red and golden beets paired with a creamy, citrusy lemon Dijon vinaigrette. The salad combines fresh mixed greens and herbs, offering a colorful and refreshing vegan dish that can be enjoyed as a light meal or appetizer.

The dressing blends Dijon mustard, coconut milk, maple syrup, lemon zest, and olive oil for a tangy, smooth flavor that complements the earthy beets. Optional toppings like goat cheese or roasted walnuts can be added to enhance texture and taste, making it a versatile and simple recipe to prepare.

This lentil salad combines the earthiness of lentils with the sweetness of fresh pears, the creaminess of gorgonzola, and the crispiness of bacon. Baby spinach adds a fresh, leafy texture, while a lemon and olive oil dressing brightens the overall flavor.

The dish offers a hearty yet balanced meal that can be prepared quickly and served chilled or at room temperature. It highlights how robust ingredients can transform lentils into a satisfying and flavorful salad.

This fall harvest salad combines roasted butternut squash, brie, apples, dried cranberries, and candied pecans to create a balanced mix of sweet and salty flavors. A maple vinaigrette with a hint of salt ties the ingredients together, enhancing the overall taste and adding a lively touch to the dish.

The salad is served over massaged kale, which softens the greens and adds a fresh, vibrant base. Variations like swapping brie for goat cheese or using pears instead of apples allow for customization, making it a versatile option for celebrating seasonal produce.