Fall Harvest Salad Recipe
A vibrant and wholesome Fall Harvest Salad featuring roasted butternut squash, crisp apple slices, dried cranberries, and walnuts, all tossed with mixed greens and a tangy maple cider dressing. This salad combines autumn flavors with a perfect balance of sweetness, crunch, and savory notes, making it an ideal healthy meal or side dish for cooler weather.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups mixed greens (kale, spinach, or arugula)
- 1 cup roasted butternut squash, cubed
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Dressing
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for roasting squash)
Instructions
- Preheat and roast squash: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss the cubed butternut squash with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread it evenly on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes or until the squash is tender and lightly caramelized.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Assemble the salad base: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, roasted butternut squash, thinly sliced apple, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts, mixing gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Toss salad with dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients well, ensuring an even flavor balance throughout.
- Add finishing touch and serve: If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the freshness of the ingredients and the contrast of warm squash with crisp greens.
Notes
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese.
- To add protein, consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Use fresh cranberries if preferred but dried cranberries provide a nice chewiness and sweetness.
- Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by varying the amount of maple syrup according to taste.
- Can be prepared ahead by roasting squash and making dressing in advance, then assembling just before serving to keep greens crisp.
Keywords: fall salad, roasted butternut squash, harvest salad, autumn recipe, healthy salad, maple dressing, kale salad, vegetarian salad
Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/fall-harvest-salad-recipe/
