Cozy Festive Autumn Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette Recipe

Autumn salads burst with vibrant seasonal energy that captures the essence of changing landscapes.

Crisp leaves and golden hues inspire creative culinary moments in kitchens everywhere.

tangy vinaigrettes add unexpected brightness to hearty ingredients, creating delightful flavor combinations.

Delicate greens mingle with robust roasted vegetables, offering textural intrigue and sensory delight.

Wholesome ingredients celebrate nature’s bounty through carefully balanced elements that spark joy.

Imagine a dish that connects you directly to the rich, earthy palette of fall’s abundant harvest.

Each forkful promises a symphony of complementary tastes that dance across your palate.

You can want to savor every incredible bite of this sensational seasonal creation.

Perfect Pairings for Festive Autumn Salad

• Pair with Crisp Apple Cider: The tangy sweetness of apple cider complements the salad's fruity pears and tart cranberries, creating a harmonious autumn flavor profile that dances on your palate.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Rustic sourdough provides a perfect crunchy contrast to the soft greens and adds a hearty element to this light, refreshing salad.
• Match with Pinot Noir: A smooth, medium-bodied red wine enhances the blue cheese's richness and balances the salad's sweet and tangy elements, elevating the entire dining experience.
• Accompany with Roasted Chicken: Lean, herb-seasoned chicken brings protein and warmth to the dish, making it a more substantial meal while respecting the salad's delicate flavor balance.

Seasonal Variations for This Autumn Salad

• Harvest Fusion Salad: Swap pears with roasted butternut squash cubes and add crispy bacon bits for a hearty autumn-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Replace blue cheese with crumbled feta, add chopped fresh mint, and use lemon juice instead of white wine vinegar for a Mediterranean touch.
• Winter Berry Celebration: Substitute cranberries with pomegranate seeds, use walnuts instead of pecans, and add a touch of maple syrup to the vinaigrette for extra warmth.
• Protein Power Boost: Incorporate grilled chicken strips or seared salmon on top of the salad to transform it into a complete and satisfying meal with additional protein.

Autumn Salad FAQs

• Can I substitute the blue cheese if I don't like it?

Yes, you can easily replace blue cheese with feta, goat cheese, or even parmesan for a similar tangy flavor profile.

• How long will this salad stay fresh after preparing?

The salad is best served immediately, but it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours. Add the dressing right before serving to prevent the greens from getting soggy.

• Are there ways to make this salad more protein-rich?

Absolutely! You can add grilled chicken, sliced almonds, or roasted chickpeas to increase the protein content and make it a more substantial meal.

• Can I prepare the vinaigrette in advance?

Yes, the vinaigrette can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good shake before using.

Why You’ll Love Festive Autumn Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette

• This autumn salad bursts with vibrant seasonal ingredients that capture the essence of fall, blending sweet pears, tart cranberries, and rich pecans into a delightful taste experience.
• The recipe requires minimal cooking skills, takes just minutes to assemble, and delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy home cooks or last-minute gatherings.
• Creamy blue cheese, crunchy pecans, and crisp greens create a multi-dimensional mouthfeel that keeps every bite interesting and satisfying, providing a delightful contrast of textures.
• The salad works beautifully as a side dish for holiday meals, a light lunch, or an elegant starter that appeals to various dietary preferences and can easily impress guests with its sophisticated yet approachable combination of flavors.

What Goes into Festive Autumn Salad

• Mixed Greens: A fresh, crisp foundation that provides a variety of textures and nutrients.
• Pears, Dried Cranberries: Sweet components that add a delightful autumn flavor and natural sweetness.
• Pecan Halves: Crunchy nuts that offer a rich, toasty element to the salad.

• Blue Cheese: Tangy and creamy cheese that brings a bold, distinctive flavor to the dish.

• White Wine Vinegar, Dijon Mustard: Acidic and sharp ingredients that create a balanced, zesty dressing base.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich oil that helps blend and soften the vinaigrette's sharp notes.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances overall flavor profile.
• Sugar: Optional sweetener to balance the vinaigrette's acidity, if desired.

Assembly Steps for Festive Autumn Salad

Step 1: Gather Fresh Salad Components

Collect a vibrant mix of crisp mixed greens, ripe pears, ruby-red dried cranberries, and crunchy pecan halves. Choose ingredients that look fresh and appealing at your local market or grocery store.

• Mixed greens
• Pears
• Dried cranberries
• Pecan halves

Step 2: Create Zesty Vinaigrette

In a small mixing bowl, blend the flavor-packed ingredients to craft a delectable dressing that will transform your salad.

• White wine vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Optional sugar

Whisk these components together until they form a smooth, well-integrated mixture.

Step 3: Combine Salad Components

Transfer the mixed greens into a spacious serving bowl. Gently add the chopped pears, sprinkle dried cranberries, and scatter pecan halves across the greens.

Step 4: Dress the Salad

Slowly drizzle the homemade vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Use a light touch to ensure each element gets a delicate coating of the tangy dressing.

Step 5: Finish with Cheese Crumbles

Right before serving, sprinkle crumbled blue cheese across the top of the salad. The cheese adds a rich, creamy contrast to the crisp vegetables and sweet fruit.

Serve immediately and enjoy your stunning autumn-inspired salad!

Pro Tips for Crisp and Fresh Autumn Salad

• Chill Ingredients Beforehand: Keep greens, pears, and pecans slightly cold to maintain crispness and enhance flavor contrast in the salad.
• Adjust Vinaigrette Sweetness: Taste the dressing before adding optional sugar, balancing tanginess with a subtle hint of sweetness.
• Toast Pecans Quickly: Lightly toast pecan halves in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to intensify their nutty flavor and add delightful crunch.
• Slice Pears Strategically: Cut pears just before serving to prevent browning and preserve their fresh, juicy texture in the salad.
• Crumble Cheese Delicately: Use a fork to gently break blue cheese into small, uneven pieces for a more natural and visually appealing presentation.

How to Keep Autumn Salad Fresh Longer

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days, keeping greens and toppings separate from dressing to prevent sogginess.
• Dressing Separation: Keep vinaigrette in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, allowing easy reuse with fresh salad ingredients.
• Texture Preservation: Add fresh pecans and blue cheese just before serving to maintain crunch and prevent wilting of delicate salad components.

Festive Autumn Salad With Tangy Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Wild autumn flavors dance through this tangy seasonal salad, blending crisp greens with roasted harvest vegetables and a zesty vinaigrette. Hearty ingredients come together in a delightful symphony that beckons you to savor each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

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Autumn Salad Ingredients:

Primary Ingredients:

• 10 ounces (283 grams) mixed greens
• 3 pears, chopped
• 2 cups (240 grams) pecan halves
• 1 cup (140 grams) dried cranberries
• ½ cup (60 grams) blue cheese, crumbled

Vinaigrette Components:

• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) olive oil

Seasoning:

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Arrange a vibrant medley of mixed greens as the foundational base for this seasonal salad, creating a lush green canvas.
2. Artfully scatter crisp, juicy pear chunks throughout the verdant greens, adding a sweet and succulent dimension to the dish.
3. Sprinkle a generous handful of ruby-red dried cranberries across the salad, introducing bursts of tart and chewy texture.
4. Distribute toasted pecan halves evenly, providing a delightful crunch and nutty undertone to the composition.
5. Craft a zesty vinaigrette by whisking white wine vinegar with sharp Dijon mustard, creating a bold and tangy foundation.
6. Slowly incorporate olive oil into the vinegar mixture, emulsifying the dressing to achieve a smooth, cohesive consistency.
7. Season the vinaigrette with a pinch of salt and optional sugar, balancing the sharp and sweet flavor profiles.
8. Gently drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad, delicately coating each ingredient without overwhelming the delicate components.
9. Tenderly toss the salad, ensuring an even distribution of the dressing and maintaining the integrity of the ingredients.
10. Just before serving, crumble fresh blue cheese across the top, allowing its rich and creamy essence to complement the other elements.

Notes

• This colorful autumn salad bursts with seasonal flavors, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
• Crisp pears and sweet dried cranberries create a delightful balance with tangy blue cheese and crunchy pecans.
• Prepare the vinaigrette separately to control the dressing’s consistency and ensure every ingredient is evenly coated.
• For best results, add blue cheese just before serving to preserve its creamy texture and prevent sogginess.
• Customize the salad by swapping pecans with walnuts or using goat cheese instead of blue cheese for different flavor profiles.
• Make ahead tip: Chop ingredients and store separately in the refrigerator, combining just before serving to maintain freshness and crispness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 48g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 41g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 20mg