Autumn Chopped Salad
The best Autumn Chopped Salad recipe! Loaded with bacon, Feta, apples, pecans, and a creamy poppy seed dressing.
In the fall season, it is so easy to have your diet switch completely. For the last few months, we have been so worried about our summer bodies, but now we’re more concerned about sweater weather, so our diets might slip a little bit. I do this every year! Fall is mostly about heavier dishes, desserts, treats, and sometimes our greens get pushed to the side. In a season full of heavy dishes, this fall salad recipe is light and refreshing.
My Autumn Chopped Salad is a great addition to your fall season recipes that will keep things fresh, crisp, and light with tons of flavor. I love this recipe for a few reasons. First, if you wanted to make this the main dish one night of the week, it would absolutely fit the bill. If you need a side dish to add a fresh touch to any meal, this recipe is a perfect go-to during the fall season.
AUTUMN CHOPPED SALAD
With all the crisp romaine, bacon, and apples mixed with nutty pecans, feta cheese, and sweet cranberries, this chopped salad fires on all cylinders! Every texture and flavor component lives in this one salad! This salad is a guaranteed way to satisfy everybody’s palate this autumn. I love to make this salad for Thanksgiving and Halloween parties. It shines as a main dish or side dish. Either way, guests will be satisfied with the flavors of this fall salad.
Find all my expert tips on how to make autumn chopped salad below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram or Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️
Why You’ll Love This Autumn Chopped Salad Recipe:
- Quick & Easy to Make: Toss everything together in minutes for a stunning side dish that feels special but requires minimal effort.
- Trending Fall Ingredients: Crisp apples, tart cranberries, and candied pecans bring all the best tastes of the season into one bowl.
- Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing: This classic poppy seed dressing ties everything together with a tangy-sweet flavor everyone will love.
- Sweet & Savory Flavors: The salty bacon and creamy Feta pair perfectly with the sweet fruit and crunchy nuts.
- Versatile Salad Recipe: Serve it as a light lunch, a side for dinner, or a festive salad for Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 2 cups Spring Mix lettuce
- 2 small Red Delicious or Gala apples, sliced thin
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped candied pecans
- 8 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled
- 4 ounces Feta cheese, crumbled
- Creamy Poppy Seed salad dressing
Instructions
In a large bowl, add chopped romaine lettuce, Spring Mix lettuce, apples, cranberries, pecans, bacon, and Feta cheese. Toss well to combine.
Divide the salad among individual salad bowls. Top with the desired amount of creamy poppy seed dressing. Serve and enjoy!
Servings
Serves 4.
Storage
Store the Autumn Chopped Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the dressing separate until ready to serve to maintain freshness. For best results, store the lettuce, apples, and dressing separately. Toss the apples with a little lemon juice to prevent browning. If the salad has already been dressed, it’s best to enjoy it within 24 hours. Prep all other ingredients, except the apples and poppy seed dressing, up to 2 days ahead, then add fresh apples and dressing just before serving.
Holly’s Tips for The Best Autumn Chopped Salad:
- Use High-Quality Produce: For the best crunch, wash and dry your romaine lettuce thoroughly before assembling. A salad spinner helps remove excess moisture so the dressing coats evenly. I always recommend finding the best fresh and crisp greens available near you for the best taste and texture.
- Slice Apples Just Before Serving: To keep the apples fresh and prevent browning, slice them right before adding them to the salad. You can also toss them lightly in lemon juice to keep them fresh!
- Homemade Dressing Upgrade: If you have time, make a homemade creamy poppy seed dressing for an extra fresh and flavorful touch. My Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing is a great place to start (feel free to omit the strawberries depending on the time of year). If you don’t like poppy seed dressing, try my Creamy Ranch Dressing instead.
- Add Protein: Turn this salad into a hearty entrée by topping it with grilled chicken, slices of holiday turkey, or even roasted salmon.
- Make It Your Own: Swap the candied pecans for toasted walnuts, or try blue cheese instead of Feta . Get creative with the mix-ins and make this salad your own.
- Chill Before Serving: Keep all ingredients fresh until serving. This enhances the crispness and flavor of every bite.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just mix all of the ingredients, except the dressing and apples, then cover and refrigerate up to 2 days in advance. Add freshly sliced apples and dressing just before serving to keep them crisp and fresh.
Red Delicious or Gala apples are perfect for this recipe because they’re sweet and hold their shape well. You can also try Honeycrisp or Fuji for a bit more crunch.
Absolutely! Feta adds a nice tang, but goat cheese or blue cheese also pair beautifully with the sweet and savory flavors in this salad.
Yes. You can substitute fresh spinach, butter lettuce, or iceberg lettuce.
To make this salad vegetarian, omit the bacon or replace it with roasted chickpeas, crispy tofu, or candied nuts for added crunch and protein.
To make this salad gluten-free, I recommend checking the labels of the candied pecans, bacon, and creamy poppy seed dressing, as some of them may contain gluten. You can easily make homemade candied pecans and dressing to guarantee they’re gluten-free.
Similar Recipes
Craving something similar? Give my Harvest Cobb Salad a try.
Wanting something more summery? My Strawberry Chicken Salad and Summer Corn Salad are great places to start.
In the mood for something more hearty? My White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna combines spinach and chicken breast mixed with a cheesy cream sauce.
Looking for something to take to an event? My Loaded Chicken and Potato Casserole is filled to the brim with potatoes, chicken, bacon, and tons of cheese.
Have you made this Autumn Chopped Salad recipe? 🥗
Leave a review, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse! #AutumnSalad #FallSaladRecipes #LifeInTheLofthouse
Autumn Chopped Salad
Ingredients
- 8 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 2 cups Spring Mix lettuce
- 2 small Red delicious or Gala apples sliced thin
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped candied pecans
- 8 slices bacon crisp-cooked and crumbled
- 4 ounces Feta cheese crumbled
- Creamy Poppy Seed salad dressing
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add chopped romaine lettuce, Spring Mix lettuce, apples, cranberries, pecans, bacon and Feta cheese. Toss well to combine.
- Divide salad among individual salad bowls. Top with desired amount of creamy poppy seed dressing. Serve and enjoy!
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I have made this salad for a tailgate, graduation celebration and to serve after a funeral. This dish never fails to please a crowd.
It was so good! Didn’t have bacon, so substituted some boiled egg and that did the trick!
Thanks for sharing!
Which brand of creamy poppyseed dressing do you like best?
I use the Kraft brand of Creamy Poppy Seed. I really love the flavor 🙂