A vibrant mix of greens, apples, pears, and fall-inspired toppings, paired with a zesty apple cider vinaigrette. It’s a fresh and flavorful way to enjoy the season!

Fall Harvest with Apple and Pear Slices in White Bowl

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This fall harvest salad is packed with the season’s best flavors: crisp apples, juicy pears, and fresh greens topped with crunchy nuts, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, and a zesty apple cider vinaigrette. It’s a delicious mix of sweet and tangy.

It makes a tasty lunch and is always a hit at fall dinners. You can either assemble the salad in a serving bowl for a colorful addition to your dinner spread, or set out the fresh ingredients and let everyone make their own custom salad.

Fall Harvest Salad in Wooden Bowl with Wooden Spoon

Ingredient Notes

Here are the ingredients you’ll need (pictured below). Read on for a few notes.

Fall Salad Ingredients on White Marble Surface

Greens – we use a blend of romaine lettuce and baby spinach. You can use your favorite lettuce mix.

Nuts – candied walnuts are a delightful addition. You can also use candied pecans or roasted variations.

Seeds – pumpkin seeds provide the a delicious crunch, plus they’re perfect for fall. You can also use sunflower seeds.

Fruits – we use both apples and pears, but if you have just one type on hand it will still be delicious.

Cheese – we love the taste and look of feta in this salad, but feel free to use your favorite cheese.

See the recipe card for full list with amounts

Supplies

Top Down View of Fall Salad on Striped Napkin with Spinach and Wooden Spoons

Let’s Make a Delicious Fall Salad

Follow these simple steps to make this colorful salad.

Note: If you plan to make homemade apple cider vinaigrette, follow this recipe and chill in the fridge while preparing the salad.

1 Chop and Mix Greens.

Wash all of the produce, chop the romaine lettuce, and mix the greens in a serving bowl.

Mixing Romaine and Spinach in Wooden Bowl

2 Slice Apples and pears. Add Toppings.

Slice (or chop) the apples and pears. Arrange them on top of the salad greens. Sprinkle on the dried cranberries, candied walnuts, feta, and pumpkin seeds.

Adding Salad Toppings to Lettuce Mixture in Wooden Bowl

Note: If the salad will sit out for a while, add some lemon juice to the apples and pears to prevent them from browning.

3 Top with Vinaigrette & enjoy!

When you are ready to serve the salad, drizzle it with apple cider vinaigrette or have everyone add their own.

Pouring Dressing onto Fall Salad in Wooden Bowl

🍂 More About This Recipe

This salad has all the classic fall flavors. Crisp apples, juicy pears, and crunchy nuts make it both fresh and tasty, with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette to balance the sweetness. The colors and flavors really bring out that cozy autumn vibe, making it perfect for fall get-togethers or a healthy lunch during cooler months.

This salad is so easy to customize with your favorite toppings. Try these quick swaps and additions to make it your own.

Greens: use your favorite lettuce blend.
Fruits: mix in fresh pomegranate in place of the dried cranberries.
Nuts: swap candied walnuts for roasted pecans.
Cheese: use gorgonzola instead of feta.
Seeds: substitute sunflower seeds for the pumpkin seeds.
Protein: add grilled chicken or crispy bacon crumbles.

Do you have other favorite toppings? Share them in the comments!

🥗 Find more salad topping ideas here.

To make this salad party-ready, set out all the ingredients in bowls and let your guests build their own. This ensures everything stays fresh, and everyone can customize their salad with the toppings they love. Offer a couple of dressing options in addition to the apple cider vinaigrette. Pair it with some crusty bread or a warm soup, and you’ve got an effortless yet elegant dinner party spread.

Fall Salad in Wooden Bowl with Wooden Spoon on Counter Beside It

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about making this harvest salad.

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

Yes! You can chop the greens and add all the toppings except for the apple and pears ahead of time. Slice the pears and apples and add them along with the vinaigrette just before serving. (To prepare the fruits in advance and prevent browning, toss them with a little lemon juice before storing.)

What toppings can I use besides the ones listed?

Feel free to get creative! Some great alternatives include gorgonzola instead of feta, roasted pecans, or sunflower seeds. You can also add grilled chicken or bacon for extra protein. (See more topping ideas.)

How long does the salad stay fresh?

This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days if the fruits and vinaigrette are kept separate.

What’s the best way to serve this salad at a dinner party?

Lay out all the ingredients and let your guests build their own salad. This allows them to customize with their favorite toppings, and it keeps everything fresh throughout the meal.

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Fall Harvest Salad