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Autumn Chopped Salad

Amazing Autumn Chopped Salad: 1 Delicious Fall Meal


  • Author: basmer
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Autumn Chopped Salad is a vibrant and hearty fall-inspired dish featuring roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, smoky turkey bacon, tangy cranberries, and toasted nuts tossed in a maple Dijon vinaigrette. It’s a crunchy, colorful celebration of seasonal flavor, perfect for Thanksgiving, cozy family gatherings, or healthy weeknight meals.


Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Salad:
  • 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
  • 1 apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), chopped
  • 4 slices cooked turkey bacon or vegetarian alternative, crumbled
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts
  • ½ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • Optional: ½ cup cooked orzo (for a grain-based variation)
  • For the Dressing:
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20–25 minutes until tender and golden, then set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare the Ingredients: While potatoes roast, cook bacon until crisp and crumble. Chop lettuce, apples, and nuts.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk until emulsified.
  4. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, roasted sweet potatoes, apples, cranberries, nuts, cheese, and orzo (if using). Pour dressing over and toss gently.
  5. Serve: Enjoy fresh as a side or main dish. The balance of textures and flavors makes every bite irresistibly satisfying.

Notes

  • For best freshness, store dressing separately and add before serving.
  • Substitute sweet potatoes with roasted butternut squash or carrots.
  • Use pears or pomegranate seeds instead of apples for variation.
  • To make vegan, skip the cheese or use a dairy-free version.
  • Can be served slightly warm or chilled — both are delicious.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Salad, Holiday, Healthy Recipes
  • Method: Roasted
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 310mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Autumn Chopped Salad, Fall Salad, Thanksgiving Salad, Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, Apple Cranberry Salad, Maple Dijon Dressing, Healthy Fall Recipes