If fall had a flavor, it’d taste like these salads — cozy, colorful, and full of roasted goodness. We’re talking caramelized butternut squash, crisp apples, maple vinaigrette, and sweet potatoes that make kale taste like a treat.
These easy fall salad recipes are everything you need to balance out the casseroles, soups, and those Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls cooling on the counter — fresh, simple, and full of harvest flavor.
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This whole post started with my Persimmon salad and Arugula Pomegranate salad recipes. I made it one afternoon and thought, why aren’t there more salads that actually celebrate fall produce like this? Persimmons, roasted squash, crisp apples — they’re all so good right now, but most recipes skip right to soups and casseroles. So I pulled together my favorite fall salad recipes — the cozy, colorful kind that make you want to grab a fork and dive in.
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Apple & Pear Fall Salads
Fall’s crisp apples, juicy pears, and tangy vinaigrettes are what make these salads shine. Each recipe blends sweet fruit, crunchy nuts, and creamy cheese for that perfect fall balance — light yet comforting, refreshing yet cozy.
Apple Salad
The apple salad is a lively mix of tart apples, cherries, white cheddar, and pecans tossed in a homemade honey balsamic dressing. Every bite bursts with cozy fall flavor — sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of crunch.
Kale Apple Salad
This kale salad with crisp apples and red onion is simple yet so fresh. A drizzle of olive oil and apple cider vinegar dressing ties everything together for a light autumn lunch.
French Endive Apple Walnut Salad
A quick French-style harvest salad made with crunchy endive, sweet apples, and earthy walnuts. Finished with a cider vinaigrette, it’s a perfect mix of tangy and crisp.
Pear and Rocket (Arugula) Salad
The pear and arugula salad brings together juicy pears, peppery arugula, and cinnamon-spiced candied nuts for the perfect mix of sweet and crisp. Creamy goat cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette make this elegant fall salad ideal for entertaining or holiday dinners.
Pear and Fennel Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
A gorgeous autumn salad featuring crisp fennel, ripe pears, feta, and crunchy almonds. The pomegranate vinaigrette adds color and a sweet-tart pop of flavor.
Roasted Squash, Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Salads
Roasted butternut squash, caramelized sweet potatoes, and maple dressings make these autumn salads cozy yet vibrant. Each recipe highlights the natural sweetness of roasted squash and pairs it with tangy cheese or hearty greens for the ultimate harvest bowl.
Butternut Squash Salad Recipe
Maple pecan butternut squash salad layers roasted squash, toasted nuts, and a maple shallot vinaigrette for the ultimate sweet-savory bite. Creamy blue cheese and fig make every forkful feel fancy.
Roasted Pumpkin Salad
In this roasted pumpkin and apple harvest salad, juicy apples, tender pumpkin, and ruby pomegranate seeds mingle with apple cider vinegar dressing. It’s crisp, colorful, and perfect with any fall dinner.
Air Fryer Roasted Acorn Squash Salad
The air fryer acorn squash salad pairs tender roasted squash with goat cheese, crunchy pecans, and dried cranberries. A drizzle of maple cider vinaigrette ties everything together for a cozy fall side.
Sweet Potato Salad
A roasted sweet potato salad recipe featuring maple-cinnamon potatoes, smoky bacon, feta, and pecans. The creamy maple vinaigrette adds the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
Kale & Sweet Potato Salad
This kale and roasted sweet potato salad brings together crisp greens, caramelized potatoes, and a creamy maple curry dressing — colorful, satisfying, and full of fall flavor.
Cozy Grain & Hearty Greens Salads
These warm salads feature quinoa, kale, and roasted vegetables — hearty enough for dinner, yet packed with nourishing fall ingredients like roasted squash, sweet potatoes, and apple cider vinaigrette.
Warm Fall Quinoa Salad
The quinoa salad with roasted sweet potatoes and kale is tossed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette for the ultimate cozy-meets-healthy meal. Brussels sprouts and cranberries add texture and fall flair.
Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
The roasted butternut squash quinoa salad blends caramelized squash, fluffy quinoa, and a drizzle of olive oil dressing. It’s wholesome, satisfying, and perfect for easy weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Colorful & Crunchy Harvest Salads
If you love texture and color, these fall salads deliver — think roasted veggies, crisp apples, kale, goat cheese, and tart cranberries. They’re bright, festive, and perfect for both weekday lunches and Thanksgiving tables.
Broccoli Pomegranate Salad
The broccoli pomegranate salad comes together in minutes with crunchy broccoli, juicy pomegranate seeds, and creamy feta. It’s refreshing, antioxidant-rich, and perfect for adding something bright to any fall dinner table.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing
A shaved Brussels sprouts salad loaded with apples, toasted pecans, and a maple Dijon dressing. Crisp, colorful, and perfectly balanced — it’s a crowd-pleaser alongside roast chicken or Thanksgiving turkey.
Fall Pasta Salad
This fall pasta salad is a cozy twist on the classic — roasted vegetables, crisp apples, and dried cranberries tossed in light apple cider vinaigrette. Every bite is a mix of sweet, savory, and totally autumn.
Persimmon Burrata Salad
The persimmon burrata salad combines creamy burrata, ripe persimmons, and a drizzle of maple balsamic dressing for a show-stopping fall salad that’s as gorgeous as it tastes.
Serving & Pairing Ideas
Pair these fall salads with roasted chicken, butternut squash soup, or crusty bread for a comforting seasonal meal. For more autumn inspiration, try my Maple Glazed Walnuts or Persimmon Burrata Salad for easy mix-and-match side dishes.
FAQs About Fall Salad Recipes
Fall salads feature seasonal produce like roasted butternut squash, sweet potatoes, crisp apples, pears, kale, and pomegranate. They often include warm elements, hearty grains, or cozy dressings such as maple, apple cider vinaigrette, or balsamic.
The best dressings for fall salads are slightly sweet and tangy — think maple dijon vinaigrette, apple cider vinaigrette, or honey balsamic dressing. They balance the earthy flavors of roasted veggies and the sweetness of apples or squash.
Fall salads pair perfectly with roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or crispy chickpeas. Adding toasted nuts or crumbled cheese (like goat or blue cheese) also boosts flavor and makes the salad more satisfying.
Yes! Most fall salads hold up beautifully when prepped ahead. Roast your veggies, cook your quinoa or grains, and mix the dressing separately. Combine everything just before serving to keep the greens crisp and the textures fresh.
Side Dishes for Salads
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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