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Home Recipe Index Sides & Salads Salads

Autumn Chopped Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

★★★★★ 4.9 /5
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Rachel Tiemeyer
By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 9/13/23Updated: 10/3/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This delicious Autumn Chopped Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette will quickly become your go-to fall apple salad. It’s so good that it was featured in this news story. It’s a great recipe for large groups or compliments a weeknight meal at home. Enjoy!

Autumn Salad tossed with apple cider vinaigrette in a white bowl on a wooden cutting board.

 
Table of Contents
  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Autumn Chopped Salad
  • Tip: Layer Individual Portion in Mason Jar
  • What to Serve with This Fall Salad
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Salads You’ll Love
  • Recipe: Autumn Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Why This Recipe Works

I’ve been serving this simple, fall-inspired chopped salad at my weeknight and my holiday table for years. It never sticks around long. The combo of sweet, tart apples and dried cranberries, baked bacon, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans creates a flavor experience in your mouth!

Autumn Salad ingredients in a bowl with apple cider vinaigrette being poured on it.

The homemade apple cider dressing accents the bacon with the perfect mix of sweet and savory. This might be my favorite homemade salad dressing to date. It’s a little sweet, a little tangy, and a beautiful golden color.

Ingredients

The ingredients are simple, and fresh, and provide a contrast of textures and flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to gather…

Autumn Salad ingredients measured in bowls and labeled.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Bacon – To save time on this salad, be sure to cook the bacon in the oven ahead of time. It reduces the stovetop mess and is an easy way to cook bacon in bulk.
  • Apple Cider Vinaigrette – Don’t skip this dressing. It really does make the salad. You’ll need olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, Kosher salt, and pepper.

Note: Find our full printable recipe with ingredient amounts and directions at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Autumn Chopped Salad

Make Salad Dressing

You can whisk the dressing in a bowl or add the ingredients to a jar with a lid, seal, and shake. (You can make it ahead and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.)

Apple Cider Vinaigrette ingredients being whisked in a bowl.
Apple Cider Vinaigrette in a small mason jar on a wooden cutting board.

Make the Salad

Add all the salad ingredients to a large bowl. Right before serving, lightly drizzle about 2/3rds of the dressing over the top and toss. Serve with the extra dressing on the side.

Autumn Salad ingredients in a bowl with apple cider vinaigrette being poured on it.
Autumn Salad tossed with apple cider vinaigrette in a white bowl on a wooden cutting board.

Tip: Layer Individual Portion in Mason Jar

Here’s a fun idea! If you make a big salad, set aside a portion for lunch the next day.

Layer it in a Mason jar in this order: 1-2 tablespoons dressing, apples (toss in the dressing to prevent browning), dried cranberries, feta cheese, 1 1/2 cups lettuce, chopped pecans.

Use the jar of salad within 12-24 hours. When ready to serve, shake it up well and enjoy.

Autumn Salad layered in a mason jar.

What to Serve with This Fall Salad

Be sure to serve this Autumn Chopped Salad alongside one our favorite holiday side dishes, Bacon and Cheddar Twice-Baked Potatoes or Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole.

Baked twice baked potatoes
Cheesy hashbrown casserole

This salad also pairs well with a main dish like Slow Cooker Balsamic Shredded Beef or Roasted Turkey Breast.

overhead shot of balsamic shredded beef
carved turkey breast on a serving platter with gravy on the side

Recipe FAQs

Can I make Autumn Salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare several of the components of an autumn salad ahead of time. Wash and chop the lettuce, roast the pecans, cook the bacon, and mix up the dressing. Wait until right before serving to chop up the apple. Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain freshness and prevent the salad from becoming soggy.

What are some creative additions to an Autumn Salad?

Get creative with your autumn salad by adding toppings like roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, cooked barley or farro for a chewy element, crispy fried shallots for crunch, or roasted sweet potato or butternut squash for sweetness.

How should I store Autumn Salad?

Leftover autumn salad can be stored in the refrigerator, but it’s best to keep the dressing separate and only mix it in when you’re ready to eat. The salad will lose its freshness and crispness and the apples will brown eventually, so it’s best to eat leftovers within a day or two.

More Salads You’ll Love

Summer Strawberry Salad

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Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Autumn Salad tossed with apple cider vinaigrette in a white bowl sitting on a wooden cutting board.
★★★★★ 4.9 from 36 reviews

Autumn Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Crisp greens are topped with tart apples, sweet dried cranberries, feta cheese, toasted pecans, and crispy bacon in this Autumn Salad. Finish off with our sweet and tangy Apple Cider Vinaigrette.

Yield: 6 servings 1x
Prep: 15 minutesCook: 0 MinutesTotal: 15 minutes
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Scale:

Ingredients

Apple Cider Vinaigrette Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (sub: honey)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Autumn Salad Ingredients:

  • 8 cups crisp Romaine or Green Leaf lettuce, chopped (approximately 1 head of lettuce)
  • 2 medium tart red apples, cored and diced (do not peel) (recommended: Fuji or Honeycrisp)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries (sub: fresh pomegranate seeds)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (see Cooking Notes)
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (try baking it ahead of time)
  • 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese (sub: Gorgonzola crumbles)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

  1. Add all the dressing ingredients to a jar with a lid, seal, and shake. (You can make ahead and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.)
  2. Add all the salad ingredients to a large bowl, lightly drizzle about 2/3rds of the dressing over the top and toss. Serve with the extra dressing on the side.

Notes/Tips

  • Bacon Tip: To save time on this salad, be sure to cook the bacon in the oven. It reduces the stovetop mess and is an easy way to cook bacon in bulk.
  • How to Roast Pecans: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pecans on a rimmed sheet pan. Bake for 5-10 minutes, shaking halfway through. You’ll know they are ready when you can smell them. Watch closely so they don’t burn! Remove immediately from the pan to a bowl to cool off when done.
  • How to Make Ahead: To prep ahead, wash and chop the lettuce, roast the pecans, cook the bacon, and mix up the dressing. Wait until right before serving to chop up the apple. Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain freshness and prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
  • How to Store Leftovers: Store leftovers in the refrigerator, but keep the dressing separate and only mix it in when you’re ready to eat. It’s best to eat leftovers within a day or two.
  • Make Individual Mason Jar Salad: To take this salad to take in your lunch, layer it in a Mason jar in this order: 1-2 tablespoons dressing, apples, dried cranberries, feta cheese, 1 1/2 cups lettuce, chopped pecans. Use the jar of salad within 24 hours. When ready to serve, shake it up well and enjoy.
© Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
Cuisine: American Method: Mix

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Photos and video by Whitney Reist of Sweet Cayenne.

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Rachel Tiemeyer

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

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  1. AvatarDenise says

    Posted on 10/15/22 at 9:24 pm

    Easy to make and a real crowd pleaser! Had to share the recipe with my friends who enjoyed this autumnal salad.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 10/16/22 at 2:40 pm

      So glad to hear your friends wanted the recipe too Denise! Thank you for sharing it with them and for taking the time to leave a review.

      Reply
  2. AvatarFran says

    Posted on 9/15/22 at 2:32 pm

    I make this salad for family and friends. Everyone loves it! So good!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 9/15/22 at 2:39 pm

      Wonderful to hear! Thanks, Fran.

      Reply
  3. AvatarTracey G says

    Posted on 9/12/22 at 1:06 pm

    Just made this for my lunch. It’s really tasty! I added some grilled chicken, shredded carrots, and diced mini cucumbers. I did find the salad dressing to be way too oily! Next time I’ll decrease the EVOO

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 9/12/22 at 1:21 pm

      Thanks for the feedback! Although I’ve made this salad and dressing many, many times, I wanted to recheck the vinaigrette after your comment.

      I testing it with 2 tablespoons less oil and found it to personally be too acidic/strong. So if you cut back on the oil, I’d suggest cutting back some on the acid too.

      Then, I made it again according to the recipe, shook it really well (that’s important), and found it to be just right for my palate. But I know everyone is different. Thanks again for your feedback.

      Reply
  4. AvatarTheresa Goodnight says

    Posted on 11/25/21 at 5:29 pm

    This was another Thriving Home holiday winner! I took this to Thanksgiving and the whole fam loved it! I candied the pecans which was incredibly delicious. Spot on perfect!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 11/27/21 at 8:57 am

      Wonderful!! So happy to hear you enjoyed it. I took it to our feast, as well.

      Reply
  5. AvatarTammy says

    Posted on 9/30/21 at 2:09 pm

    If I make the salad without the dressing ahead of time. Will the apples turn brown?

    Reply
    • Polly ConnerPolly Conner says

      Posted on 9/30/21 at 3:51 pm

      Yes, they will brown if they sit out too long without being tossed in the dressing. I often make everything else ahead of time and add the apples in at the very last moment.

      Reply
  6. AvatarGwen says

    Posted on 3/26/21 at 7:56 am

    Bookmarked!

    Reply
  7. Avatarjanice lang says

    Posted on 3/26/21 at 7:48 am

    I love this salad recipe!!! The dressing needs a little tweaking for me ….not quite sweet enough. All in all a wonderful tasting salad!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 3/27/21 at 5:26 pm

      Glad you enjoy it. Tweak away for your needs. 🙂

      Reply
    • AvatarCarla says

      Posted on 4/3/21 at 8:32 am

      May sound weird, but I added a splash of OJ. And it was delicious

      Reply
      • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

        Posted on 4/4/21 at 7:22 am

        Thanks for the tip!

        Reply
  8. AvatarKerry says

    Posted on 3/26/21 at 6:33 am

    Love salads and this one looks fantastic. I think Hubby will even eat this one 🙂
    This will be perfect for Easter!

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 3/27/21 at 5:26 pm

      Oh yes, this would be wonderful for Easter.

      Reply
  9. AvatarKaren says

    Posted on 2/22/21 at 5:11 pm

    Yum! Pretty sure this is a permanent on our Thanksgiving menu now.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Polly ConnerPolly Conner says

      Posted on 2/22/21 at 5:46 pm

      Agreed. I’ve made it the last two years for Thanksgiving.

      Reply
  10. AvatarKathy Tonagel says

    Posted on 11/22/20 at 4:31 pm

    This is possibly the best salad I’ve ever made, superb ingredients! And the homemade dressing is delicious. My husband and I love it and so do friends I’ve made it for.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 11/22/20 at 9:26 pm

      Yay! Really glad to hear you enjoyed it, Kathy. Thanks for the review and feedback.

      Reply
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Autumn Salad in a glass bowl with Apple Cider Vinaigrette being poured on top.