41 Fresh Fall Salad Ideas
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I’ve compiled a list of the best salad recipes for fall! Sure casseroles and carby dishes get top billing when the temperatures drop, but nothing beats a hearty, fresh salad to lighten things up! Made with seasonal produce and cozy dressings and add ins, these simple fall salad recipes make the perfect nourishing addition to any fall dinner and holiday spread!
If you’re looking to celebrate fall with salads that actually taste like something you’d crave this time of year, you’re in the right place. After years of working with New England’s seasonal ingredients, I’ve become a go-to source for approachable recipes that highlight the best of what fall has to offer—no bland lettuce bowls here.
This collection is full of salads that eat like a meal: roasted root vegetables with caramelized edges, nutty grains that add substance, and crisp greens that bring everything to life. These aren’t just side dishes—they’re cozy, satisfying, and built to make the most of autumn produce.
Need some ideas for a fresh side dish at Thanksgiving or need to lighten things up at dinner? Then these cozy autumn salads are what you’re after.
Below you’ll find everything from light and crunchy kale salads, to mouthwatering harvest salads loaded with scrumptious ingredients like cozy roasted root vegetables, nutty grains, and hearty roasted vegetable salads celebrating the bounties of fall produce!
Serve alongside some homemade garlic bread or a cup of slow cooker broccoli cheddar soup!
Why You’ll Love These Autumn Salad Recipes:
- They’re cozy and fresh. Fall salads are hearty enough to be satisfying, but not heavy. Perfect when you want something a little lighter that still tastes like fall.
- Great way to use up what’s in the fridge or what’s in season at the farmers market! Fall produce is super flexible and adds so much flavor.
- Salads make a nice break from all the rich stuff. This time of year is full of casseroles and baked goods, so it’s nice to have an easy, veggie-packed option in the rotation. Nothing fancy, just simple and good.
- All of these recipes are Thanksgiving worthy! Your guests will apprecitate a fresh and cozy side dish, and salads look beautiful on the table!
My Favorite Fall Salad Dressing
The perfect fall salad recipe needs a great dressing. I love this maple balsamic vinaigrette recipe. It’s my favorite dressing to drizzle over fall salads. It’s a basic balsamic vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Add everything to a jar, give it a shake, and enjoy. It’s so yummy!
Fruity Autumn Salad Recipes
1. Apple Walnut Salad
A New England inspired fall salad made with sweet apples, leafy greens, toasted walnuts, and creamy cheddar cheese. Topped with tart cranberries and a tangy maple balsamic dressing this seasonal salad makes a hearty side dish or with added protein, a healthy and delicious fall dinner salad.
2. Apple Arugula Salad With Maple Vinaigrette
Peppery arugula, paired with the sweet apple, cheese, and crunchy almonds tossed in a delicious maple syrup vinaigrette. Perfect for apple season and makes a healthy and tasty Thanksgiving side dish!
A colorful and hearty side made with roasted beets, feta, pistachios, and fresh mint. Tossed with a lovely citrus tahini dressing for a bright and flavorful dish!
This Fall Cobb Salad is packed with the fun flavors and textures of the season. Then it is finished off with a rosemary and apple cider vinegar salad dressing. This is a really fun salad to serve at your next gathering!
This hearty Roasted Pumpkin and Beetroot Salad recipe is beautiful, easy to make, and features delicious fall produce. The perfect side dish to serve throughout the cold weather months.
This Ultimate Autumn Salad is filled with fresh greens, roasted butternut squash, Honeycrisp apples, candied walnuts, pomegranate arils, and the best apple cider vinaigrette. It incorporates the best seasonal fall ingredients to create a cornucopia of flavors on the plate! You’re going to love it!
Fall Salads with Kale
7. Kale Crunch Salad
Chopped kale is tossed with parmesan cheese, toasted panko bread crumbs, and drizzled with a mandarin vinaigrette. This makes the perfect side dish to a bowl of creamy corn chowder. Customize with toasted nuts, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, or butternut squash for the ultimate fall salad dish.
A delicious kale salad is topped with roasted delicata squash, broccolini, pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and creamy goat cheese. This hearty salad makes a great addition to any fall meal!
Fall Salad Recipes with Rice or Quinoa
Fall Quinoa Salad with Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, tomatoes, lemon, and parsley. A warm, delicious meal that makes a fantastic vegan and gluten-free option at the table.
A delicious salad made with wild rice, roasted butternut squash, and tossed in a maple Dijon dressing. This Harvest Salad is a healthy and perfect addition to your fall meal planning.
More Fall Salad Ideas
11. Butternut and Beetroot Salad
Roasted butternut squash and roasted beets are combined with goat cheese, candied nuts, greens, and fresh red onion. Toss with your favorite vinaigrette for the perfect hearty side salad.
12. Really Good Thanksgiving Salad Recipe
A bright and colorful salad that is perfect for Thanksgiving or really anytime during the fall season. Greens, Parmesan cheese, and the best harvest produce tossed with a simple maple vinaigrette. This salad will fit right in next to your other Thanksgiving sides like cranberry sauce and broccoli cheese casserole.
13. Goat Cheese Salad With Arugula
This Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula is hearty and full of different textures & flavors. It only takes about 30 minutes to make and can be served as the main dish or a hearty side. You can swap the homemade dressing with store-bought to make it even simpler.
14. Butternut Squash Feta Salad With Arugula
This Butternut Squash Feta Salad is tossed in a maple dressing along with arugula and feta cheese. It makes for a flavorful fall side dish and pairs perfectly with any savory main course.
15. Roasted Acorn Squash Salad
This deliciously flavorful salad features roasted acorn squash, wheat berries, feta cheese, and spring greens. It’s hearty and packed with nutrients, keeping you full and satisfied!
16. Roasted Vegetable Lentil Salad
Looking for some comfort food, but also nutrition and delicious? This warm roasted vegetable lentil salad is easy to make and the perfect salad to warm up during the cooler months.
17. Beetroot Salad With Feta And Orange
This beet, orange, and feta salad is a wonderful mix of sweet and savory goodness. It’s a delicious fall salad that comes together easily for a filling meal or a tasty side dish!
18. Fall Harvest Salad
This fall harvest salad features the best of what fall has to offer: squash, apples, kale, brussels sprouts, beets, pomegranate, and cranberries. Top it off with a sweet and tangy tahini maple dressing, and you have the perfect cozy fall salad.
19. Broccoli Craisin Salad
An amazing broccoli salad recipe including broccoli, raisins, coleslaw, craisins, and bacon. It’s sweet and sour, crunchy and so very delicious. Perfect as a side dish or as a potluck salad.
20. Roasted Squash Farro Salad
This beautiful roasted squash farro salad is perfect for the fall months when apples and squash are in season. Enjoy this stunning dish as a healthy main or serve it as a side dish at any meal or holiday.
21. Persimmon Salad
This hearty persimmon salad is topped with farro, cranberries, shallots, pecans, goat cheese, and a homemade vinaigrette. It’s the perfect fall salad to add to your Thanksgiving spread!
22. Celery Salad with Apples
This simple celery salad recipe comes together in the blink of an eye. The celery adds crunch, the apples add sweetness, while the hazelnuts provide a pleasant, buttery element.
23. Wild Rice Salad
This delicious wild rice salad is filled with tart apples, sweet cranberries, and pecans. Serve as a healthy and flavorful main course or a hearty side dish. Perfect for Thanksgiving or to bring to any gathering.
24. Radicchio Salad
This easy radicchio salad combines all the best of fall’s vegetables and fruits into a single, gorgeous recipe that pops with flavor. Made with thin sliced radicchio, microgreens, pomegranate arils, and a delicious combination of apples, hazelnuts, and gorgonzola. This salad is a must make!
25. Fall Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy Autumn Apple Pasta Salad Recipe made with fresh baby spinach, sweet apples, crisp celery, dried cherries, mandarin oranges, and buttery pecans, all tossed with a homemade Poppyseed Dressing. Enjoy this fresh, delicious, and festive apple pasta salad as a light lunch or holiday appetizer.
26. Fig Salad With Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
Mixed greens are tossed with fresh figs, pecan halves, and blue cheese then topped off with a sweet honey balsamic vinaigrette for the perfect fall salad. So flavorful and so delicious!
27. Arugula Blue Cheese Salad With Apples, Walnuts, And Cranberries
Made with apples, cranberries, walnuts, and blue cheese, this salad is full of complementary flavors and textures. Top it with a homemade maple mustard dressing, and this salad will become a family favorite in no time.
28. Beet Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
If there ever was a comfort food salad, this is it! Warm goat cheese rounds are the crowning glory of this delicious salad. Paired with beets, greens, and veggies, this salad is a flavorful treat!
29. Raw Brussels Sprouts Salad With Tahini Dressing
This easy raw brussels sprouts salad is made with shaved brussels sprouts, carrots, fruit, and an easy homemade tahini dressing. This salad packs up and stores well, making it perfect for meal prep!
30. Kale Quinoa Salad
Kale Quinoa Salad is the perfect healthy side dish to any meal. Made with simple ingredients, like kale, cooked quinoa, chickpeas, pepitas, cranberries and almonds, this salad is delicious and easy to make!
31. Easy Thanksgiving Harvest Salad Recipe With Apples
This easy and delicious Harvest Salad is full of amazing ingredients like apple slices, bacon, and pecans. It will make the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table, or a delicious heart, salad to keep you going during the cold weather months.
32. Fig and Butternut Squash Salad
Made with arugula, butternut squash, and dried figs, this healthy autumn salad celebrates the best flavors of the season. A maple and curry dressing finishes this delightful salad.
33. Sweet Potato Beet Salad
Roasted Sweet potatoes and beets go great together in this yummy plant-based salad. Toss with baby spinach and a homemade maple dressing for a flavorful and healthy meal!
34. Pear Salad with Gorgonzola and Walnuts
Tender greens paired with tangy blue cheese and a perfectly ripe pear make this fall salad versatile, bright and fresh. A flavorful and classy addition to any menu!
35. Fall Fruit Salad
This fruit salad is a vibrant, healthy addition to your Thanksgiving or seasonal table. Colorful chopped fruit is tossed with a simple honey dressing to make the most delicious and easy side dish.
36. Cranberry Almond Slaw
Cranberry Almond Slaw is full of crunchy cabbage, almonds, and tart cranberries. Tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette, this slaw is light, refreshing, and the perfect addition to your fall or Thanksgiving menu!
37. Harvest Chopped Salad
Make a salad this fall, but serve it chopped! Made with delicious ingredients like crunchy apples, walnuts, cranberries, cheddar cheese and drizzled with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette, this recipe is both fun and flavorful!
38. Fall Kale Salad with Apples and Cranberry Vinaigrette
The cranberry vinaigrette is the star of this simple fall salad! This flavorful kale salad is packed with delicious ingredients including crunchy apples, sunflower seeds, pecans, and creamy chunks of cheddar cheese. Serve as a tasty lunch or a healthy side to your main entree.
39. Salmon Kale Salad
An easy and hearty salad to make when the chilly weather sets in! This salmon kale salad is made with fresh kale, apples, Parmesan salmon, roasted potatoes, green beans, and an easy tahini dressing. It’s the perfect recipe for a filling lunch or simple supper!
40. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
This shaved brussels sprout salad is full of fall-inspired ingredients like apples, pecans, and cranberries tossed in a simple lemon vinaigrette. It’s an easy, show-stopping side salad that’s perfect for your dinner table or holiday menu.
41. Thanksgiving Salad
Don’t let the name fool you, this tasty Thanksgiving Salad, is a recipe you can make throughout the entire fall season. It has autumnal ingredients (brussels sprouts, squash, apples, BACON) and is guaranteed to impress.
