Fall Harvest Festive Autumn Salad Recipe: Zingy Dressing Magic

Fall’s crisp breeze carries whispers of comfort, and this festive autumn salad with tangy vinaigrette promises pure seasonal delight.

Rustic ingredients dance together, creating a vibrant medley of colors and textures.

Crisp mixed greens mingle with roasted butternut squash, toasted pecans, and crumbled goat cheese.

Sweet dried cranberries add bursts of brightness against the earthy backdrop.

The homemade vinaigrette brings a zesty punch that awakens every bite.

Each forkful tells a story of harvest abundance and culinary creativity.

Dive into this salad and savor the essence of autumn delicious charm.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes in Festive Autumn Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette

• Mixed Greens: Crisp and vibrant foundation that provides a nutritious and colorful backdrop for the autumn-inspired ingredients.
• Pears: Sweet and juicy fruit that adds a delicate seasonal touch and soft texture to the salad.
• Dried Cranberries: Tart and chewy jewels that bring a burst of festive flavor and eye-catching color.
• Pecan Halves: Crunchy and rich nuts that deliver a satisfying toasted warmth and nutty complexity.

• White Wine Vinegar: Tangy liquid that creates a bright and zesty base for the dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Robust condiment that adds depth and helps emulsify the vinaigrette for smooth blending.
• Olive Oil: Silky and smooth base that provides richness and helps bind the dressing ingredients.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances all the flavor profiles.
• Sugar: Optional sweetener to soften the vinaigrette's sharp edges and create a more rounded taste.

• Blue Cheese: Creamy and bold cheese that introduces a sharp, sophisticated note to complete the salad's flavor profile.

Tools to Assemble Festive Autumn Salad Easily

• Large Bowl: Spacious mixing vessel for combining salad ingredients.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking vinaigrette components together.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending vinaigrette smoothly and evenly.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping pears and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Precise tool for slicing pears and ensuring clean cuts.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning vinaigrette ingredients.

Steps for Festive Autumn Salad with Tangy Dressing

• Salad Foundation

Create a vibrant base using mixed greens spread generously across a wide serving bowl.

• Fruit and Nut Symphony

Scatter sweet pears and jewel-toned cranberries throughout the greens, then sprinkle crunchy pecan halves for delightful texture and nutty warmth.

• Vinaigrette Magic

Whisk together a zesty blend of white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and smooth olive oil until the dressing transforms into a silky, harmonious mixture.

• Final Flourish

Gently cascade the vinaigrette over the salad, allowing each ingredient to glisten with tangy flavor. Crown the creation with crumbled blue cheese, delivering a rich, creamy finish that elevates the entire dish.

Flavor Tips for Tangy Vinaigrette Salad

• Salad Crunch Protection: Store pecans separately from the greens until serving to prevent soggy nuts and maintain their delightful crispy texture.
• Cheese Temperature Trick: Let blue cheese sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before crumbling to enhance its creamy, bold flavor profile and make breaking it easier.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the vinaigrette up to three days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeper complexity.
• Seasonal Ingredient Swap: During winter, replace fresh pears with roasted butternut squash or crisp apple slices to keep the salad vibrant and seasonally appropriate while maintaining a similar sweet and tangy balance.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, seared salmon, or crispy tofu for a hearty meal transformation that turns this light salad into a satisfying main course.

Serving Festive Autumn Salad the Elegant Way

• Elegant Cheese Garnish: Crumble the blue cheese right at the table for a dramatic presentation that lets guests see the beautiful contrast of white cheese against colorful salad greens.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken strips or sliced roasted turkey to transform this light salad into a hearty main course perfect for lunch or dinner.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Serve alongside a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio that complements the tangy vinaigrette and nutty pecan flavors.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Pair with warm, crusty sourdough or whole grain bread to soak up the delicious vinaigrette and provide a satisfying textural contrast to the crisp salad ingredients.

Keeping Autumn Salad Crisp and Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration: Store the salad components separately in airtight containers. Greens stay crisp for 2-3 days, keeping vinaigrette and toppings fresh and preventing sogginess.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep pecans and blue cheese in sealed containers at room temperature. Store chopped pears and mixed greens in refrigerated compartments to maintain optimal freshness and prevent wilting.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare vinaigrette up to 5 days ahead, storing in a sealed glass jar inside the refrigerator. Whisk briefly before using to restore smooth consistency and blend flavors.
• Serving Temperature Tip: Remove salad ingredients from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before assembling. Room temperature ingredients enhance flavor profiles and create a more enjoyable dining experience, allowing ingredients to showcase their natural taste nuances.

Vibrant Autumn Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Seasonal pumpkin spice salad blends crisp harvest produce with zesty maple vinaigrette. Warm roasted vegetables and fresh greens create a delightful balance for seasonal dining pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (240 g) pecan halves
• 1 cup (140 g) dried cranberries
• 10 oz (283 g) mixed greens
• 3 pears, chopped
• ½ cup (60 g) blue cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup (120 ml) olive oil
• 6 tbsps (90 ml) white wine vinegar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Layer mixed greens on a serving platter, creating a vibrant green foundation for the autumn-inspired salad.
2. Add Fruit and Nuts: Strategically distribute pear chunks, dried cranberries, and toasted pecan halves across the greens, ensuring a balanced blend of sweet, tart, and crunchy textures.
3. Create Vinaigrette: Whisk white wine vinegar and Dijon mustard together, gradually incorporating olive oil to form a smooth, emulsified dressing. Season with salt and optional sugar to balance flavors.
4. Dress and Finish: Gently drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad, carefully tossing to coat ingredients evenly. Crown the dish with crumbled blue cheese, allowing its rich, creamy essence to elevate the overall flavor profile.

Notes

• Advance Prep Tip: Chop pears and toast pecans up to 2 hours before serving to save time and maintain ingredient freshness.
• Dressing Stability: Whisk vinaigrette vigorously to prevent separation and ensure smooth, consistent flavor in every bite.
• Cheese Selection: Use room temperature blue cheese for maximum flavor release and easier crumbling across the salad.
• Serving Strategy: Dress salad immediately before serving to prevent greens from wilting and maintain crisp texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg