Autumn Chopped Salad Recipe
This Autumn Chopped Salad is a vibrant and flavorful medley celebrating fall’s best ingredients. Featuring crispy bacon, sweet pears, crunchy maple pecans, sharp cheddar, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a luscious blend of balsamic vinaigrette and poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a refreshing, crunchy salad that brings cozy autumn flavors to your table.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 8 cups romaine hearts, chopped
- 1 pear, chopped into ½–¾ inch pieces
- 8 pieces bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, diced into ½–¾ inch pieces
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Maple Pecans
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Dressings
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup poppy seed dressing
Instructions
- Prepare Maple Pecans: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and stir in maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add pecan halves and cook, stirring frequently, until pecans are evenly coated and toasted, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a parchment-lined tray to cool, then chop.
- Chop Salad Ingredients: Chop romaine, pear, cooked bacon, and cheddar cheese into uniform ½ to ¾ inch pieces to ensure all salad components are similar in size for optimal texture and presentation. Set aside.
- Assemble the Salad: Place chopped romaine in the bottom of a large serving bowl. Layer chopped pears, bacon, maple pecans, diced cheddar cheese, and dried cranberries evenly on top.
- Combine and Add Dressings: In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the balsamic vinaigrette and poppy seed dressing. Shake vigorously until well blended. Pour the dressing over the salad and use tongs to gently toss, ensuring all ingredients are coated. Serve immediately for the best freshness and crunch.
Notes
- For best texture, chop all salad ingredients uniformly between ½ to ¾ inch pieces.
- Maple pecans can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- You can substitute pears with apples for a slightly different autumn flavor.
- If unavailable, bottled balsamic vinaigrette and poppy seed dressings can be substituted.
- Serve immediately after tossing with dressing to prevent sogginess.
Keywords: autumn salad, chopped salad, maple pecans, fall recipe, bacon salad, pear salad, balsamic vinaigrette, poppy seed dressing
Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/autumn-chopped-salad-recipe/
