This collection of Fall Salad Recipes will make salads exciting throughout the season. You’ll find sweet and savory combinations, hearty grain bowls and festive holiday salads that showcase the best of autumn produce.
While fall often brings comforting soups and braises, I also love crisp, flavorful fall salad recipes that highlight the season’s best ingredients.
These recipes use autumn favorites like figs, persimmons, pomegranate, pears, apples, Brussels sprouts, butternut and other winter squash, and hearty kale.
Many of the salads are ideal for meal prep, make excellent side dishes for soups and chilis, and also shine on holiday tables at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Tips for the best fall salads
- Use seasonal fruits and vegetables for peak flavor and freshness. Locally grown produce is often tastier and more nutritious.
- Shop at farmer’s markets when possible or choose produce labeled “locally grown” at your grocery store.
- Opt for organic produce when you can, especially for items prone to pesticide residue.
- Homemade dressings add brightness and depth. Try simple vinaigrettes or creamy dressings to complement each salad.
Seasonal fall produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Beets
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Citrus (lemons, limes)
- Collard greens
- Cranberries
- Figs
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Grapes
- Green beans
- Fresh herbs
- Kale
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Parsnips
- Pears
- Peas
- Persimmons
- Pineapple
- Pomegranate
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Radishes
- Raspberries
- Rutabagas
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Swiss chard
- Turnips
- Winter squash (acorn, butternut, delicata, kabocha, etc.)
More seasonal salad collections you’ll love:
- Spring salad recipes
- Summer salad recipes
- Winter salad recipes
Fall salad ideas
The recipes below highlight a variety of fall flavors and textures—sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy—perfect for everyday meals and special occasions.
Arugula Fig Salad Recipe
Sweet figs and crisp apple pair with peppery arugula, creamy goat cheese and walnuts. A warm spiced balsamic dressing ties the salad together for a quick, vegetarian, gluten-free option.
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Arugula Orange Pomegranate Salad
Juicy orange segments and pomegranate jewels balance peppery arugula, red onion, goat cheese and pecans. A tangy pomegranate-style dressing finishes the salad—great for entertaining or weeknight dinners.
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Arugula Pear Salad
Peppery arugula meets juicy pear, creamy blue cheese and toasted pecans. A champagne-style vinaigrette adds bright acidity for a salad that’s both elegant and simple to prepare.
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Broccoli Kale Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
Hearty kale and crunchy broccoli pair with crisp apples and dried cherries in a sweet-tangy lemon poppy seed dressing. This gluten-free, vegan-friendly salad makes a filling lunch or side.
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Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
Roasted butternut, quinoa, baby kale, pecans and pomegranate combine with a tangy apple cider dressing for a nourishing, gluten-free, vegan-friendly meal or side dish.
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Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
Caramelized delicata squash, kale, pomegranate and feta come together with an apple cider vinaigrette for a colorful, festive salad ideal for fall gatherings.
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Fennel and Apple Slaw
Shaved fennel, apples, raisins and toasted almonds tossed in a creamy slaw dressing create a crunchy, bright side dish that pairs well with roasted meats or grilled mains.
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Endive Salad Bites with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Pecans
Crisp Belgian endive makes elegant bites filled with pear, blue cheese, dried cranberries and pecans, dressed lightly with white balsamic for a quick party appetizer.
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Fall Fruit Salad
A bright fruit salad with apples, blackberries, grapes and pecans, finished with a cinnamon-orange dressing for a simple, seasonal dessert or side.
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Fall Harvest Salad
Kale, roasted butternut, dried cranberries, feta and pepitas are tossed in a sweet-tangy apple cider dressing. Components can be prepped ahead for easy assembly on busy nights or for holiday service.
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Holiday Salad with Kale, Persimmon and Pomegranate
A festive mix of kale, persimmon and pomegranate with goat cheese and pecans, finished with a bright orange dressing—great for holiday entertaining and make-ahead prep.
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Kale Apple Salad Recipe
Lacinato kale and radicchio meet crisp apple, pomegranate, feta and toasted pepitas with an apple cider vinaigrette for a boldly flavored fall salad.
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Kale Slaw with Honey Lime Dressing
Ribbons of kale and broccoli slaw combine with apples and a sweet honey-lime dressing for a crunchy, make-ahead side that’s vegan and gluten-free.
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Massaged Kale Salad
Massaging kale softens its texture and improves flavor. This salad shows how quickly kale can become tender and ready-to-eat, making it ideal for make-ahead salads.
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Pear Salad with Feta and Cranberries
Fresh greens, juicy pear, dried cranberries, feta and toasted almonds come together with a balsamic-style vinaigrette for a balanced fall salad that feels special.
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Persimmon Salad
Persimmons add a sweet, silky note to a salad of baby spinach, feta, dried cranberries and almonds, finished with a bright apple cider dressing for everyday or holiday meals.
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Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
Roasted beets, juicy oranges, shaved fennel and creamy goat cheese are brightened by a citrus-forward vinaigrette, creating a vibrant salad to serve with roasted proteins or as a starter.
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Creamy Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Shaved Brussels sprouts tossed with bacon, apple and a creamy coleslaw-style dressing deliver a crunchy, savory side that pairs perfectly with fall mains.
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Spinach Apple Salad
Tender baby spinach with crisp apple, feta, cranberries and walnuts tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette—simple, family-friendly and ready in minutes.
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Wild Rice Salad with Orange and Pomegranate
A hearty wild rice salad with orange and pomegranate adds texture and color to any meal. Make it ahead for a convenient side or vegetarian main.
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