Autumn Chopped Salad with Apples, Cranberries, Pecans, and Feta Recipe
Introduction
This Autumn Chopped Salad is a vibrant mix of crisp apples, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy feta. It comes together quickly and offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors for a refreshing seasonal dish.
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, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce, Spring Mix lettuce, sliced apples, dried cranberries, chopped candied pecans, crumbled crisp bacon, and crumbled Feta cheese.
- Step 2: Toss the salad gently but thoroughly to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Step 3: Divide the mixed salad among individual bowls and top each serving with your desired amount of creamy poppy seed dressing.
- Step 4: Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors at their best.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add roasted chickpeas for extra crunch.
- Try substituting goat cheese for feta for a different creamy tang.
- Use maple-glazed pecans instead of candied pecans for a deeper autumn flavor.
- Adding thinly sliced red onion or fennel can add a nice sharpness to balance the sweetness.
Storage
Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Keep dressing refrigerated until ready to serve. Toss the salad with dressing just before eating to prevent sogginess. The bacon and pecans are best added fresh for optimal crunch.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
You can chop the ingredients and store them separately, but it’s best to combine and dress the salad just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
What can I use if I don’t have creamy poppy seed dressing?
A light honey mustard or a simple vinaigrette with apple cider vinegar works well as a substitute and complements the flavors nicely.
PrintAutumn Chopped Salad with Apples, Cranberries, Pecans, and Feta Recipe
This Autumn Chopped Salad blends crisp Romaine and Spring Mix lettuces with sweet and tart red apples, dried cranberries, crunchy candied pecans, smoky bacon, and tangy crumbled feta cheese, all tossed together and finished with a creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfectly balanced for a vibrant fall-inspired meal or side dish, it takes just 25 minutes to prepare and serves four.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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
Dressing
- Creamy Poppy Seed salad dressing, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, combine 8 cups of chopped Romaine lettuce and 2 cups of Spring Mix lettuce, ensuring an even mix of both greens for a fresh and crisp foundation.
- Add the fruits and nuts: Thinly slice 2 small red apples (Red Delicious or Gala), and add them to the bowl along with 1 cup of dried cranberries and 1 cup of chopped candied pecans to bring sweet and crunchy textures.
- Include the savory elements: Crumble 8 slices of bacon that have been cooked until crisp, and add them to the bowl along with 4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese for smoky and tangy flavors.
- Toss the salad: Gently toss all ingredients together until well combined, ensuring the components are evenly distributed for balanced bites.
- Serve with dressing: Divide the mixed salad among individual bowls and top each serving with creamy poppy seed salad dressing to taste. Serve immediately to enjoy the salad at its freshest and most vibrant.
Notes
- To make bacon crisp, cook slices in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crunchy, then drain on paper towels before crumbling.
- Thinly slicing apples helps them blend well with other salad ingredients and distributes their sweetness evenly.
- For a vegan version, omit bacon and feta and choose a dairy-free poppy seed dressing.
- The salad is best served immediately to prevent the lettuce from wilting and apples from browning.
Keywords: autumn salad, chopped salad, apple salad, cranberry salad, pecan salad, feta salad, bacon salad, fall recipe, healthy salad, quick salad
