31 Fall Salad Ideas That Are Crunchy, Cozy and 2025-Ready
Sure, summer salad gets plenty of love, but fall salad ideas deserve a spot at the table, too. As the weather cools and markets fill with squash, roots and greens, salads shift from side dish to something you actually want to eat.
Need Thanksgiving salad inspiration? Or looking for fall dinner ideas that feel fresh but still filling? This list of fall salad ideas has you covered. They’re hearty enough for dinner, simple enough to make ahead and perfect if you're planning meals for the week or a holiday party.
Jump to Section
- Simple Fall Salad Ideas
- Fall Salads With Seasonal Produce
- Fall Salad Ideas With Apples
- Fall Harvest Salad Recipes
- Fall Salad Ideas for a Crowd
- Make-Ahead Fall Salads
- Fall Salad Dressing Ideas
- Fall Salads Ideas FAQs
Simple Fall Salad Ideas
1. Citrus Arugula Salad
Tart citrus and peppery arugula are balanced by creamy avocado and goat cheese in this elegant mix, finished with a Dijon vinaigrette. If you’re curious how chefs layer flavor and texture like this, cooking classes in Asheville, Atlanta or Baltimore can help sharpen your seasonal salad game.
2. Shaved Fennel Salad
A shaved fennel salad is perfect if you need fall salad ideas for a holiday gathering. Thinly sliced fennel and green apples tossed with a citrus dressing make a light, refreshing side.
3. Simple Lemon Arugula Salad
If you’re searching for fall salad ideas to serve alongside a rich main dish, this one brings balance. Arugula, toasted hazelnuts and a lemon dressing brighten up the whole table.
4. Beet Salad With Goat Cheese
Layer earthy beets with creamy goat cheese and a splash of balsamic. It’s an easy fall salad idea that looks way more impressive than it is.
5. Spinach Salad
For a quick fall staple, a spinach salad is an easy go-to. Sliced apples, red onion, pecans, dried cranberries and goat cheese bring those autumn flavors, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette ties it all together.
Fall Salads With Seasonal Produce
6. Apple, Kale and Parsnip Salad
Cut apples and parsnips into cubes and toss them with kale and a honey mustard dressing for fall salad ideas that hit the sweet spot between crisp and comforting.
7. Fall Farro Salad
Adding grains is the easiest way to turn fall salad ideas into a full-on meal. This one brings together farro, roasted Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, fresh parsley and a splash of cider vinaigrette.
8. Pear Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
Pears are a no-brainer when it comes to fall salad ideas. They pear (yes, we went there) well with mixed greens, toasted pecans, shaved parmesan and a classic balsamic vinaigrette.
9. Persimmon Salad
You won’t see persimmons in every fall salad, but they should be. Their creamy sweetness pairs beautifully with tender greens, toasted nuts and roasted root veggies and a zingy dressing.
10. Butternut Squash Salad
A butternut squash salad is a nice change of pace from a fall salad with sweet potato. Roasted cubes of squash, leafy greens, red onion and pomegranate seeds all come together under a drizzle of apple cider dressing.
Fall Salad Ideas With Apples
11. Radicchio and Apple Salad
Apples bring a pop of sweetness that cuts through the slight bitterness of radicchio, creating a flavor combo that’s sharp in the best way. Add something creamy (like feta cheese) and a handful of toasted nuts for a fall salad idea that hits every note.
12. Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad
Looking for a healthy fall salad with apples? Toss quinoa, dried cranberries and chopped apples together with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette. The mix of textures makes it anything but boring, and it holds up great for make-ahead lunches too.
13. Fall Crunch Salad
Hold the lettuce — not all fall salad ideas need greens to be great. This one’s all about the crunch: diced apples, celery, toasted nuts and crispy prosciutto bring serious texture and a little salty-sweet balance that works on any fall table.
14. Waldorf Chicken Salad
Sweet apples and pecans (or walnuts) make this creamy classic feel like fall. Toss them in with grapes, celery and mayo, then pile it onto a croissant or slice of sourdough for a satisfying twist on traditional chicken salad.
15. Kale Sweet Potato Salad With Apples
Kale, roasted sweet potatoes and apples are basically a fall salad power trio. The base is solid — now make it your own with extras like goat cheese, dried cranberries or a handful of toasted pepitas. Finish with a honey mustard or apple cider dressing and you’re set.
Fall Harvest Salad Recipes
16. Pomegranate Salad
A handful of pomegranate arils adds a pop of color and sweet-tart bite to your favorite fall salad ideas. Pair them with sliced pears or apples, toasted nuts and a little feta or goat cheese over bitter greens like arugula for a mix that looks just as good as it tastes.
17. Kale Salad With Chicken Sausage, Pecans and Goat Cheese
Juicy chicken sausage, toasted pecans, dried cranberries and crumbled goat cheese turn kale into something special. Throw in chopped apples and a drizzle of balsamic and you’ve got one of those fall salad ideas that eats like a full meal.
18. Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Dupe
Love the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl? This DIY version keeps all the best parts: wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, chicken, apples and almonds, all tied together with a punchy balsamic vinaigrette.
19. Roasted Vegetable Salad With Dijon Dressing
Roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots or root veggies piled onto kale with a sharp Dijon vinaigrette make this one of those cozy fall salad ideas that actually fills you up. Bonus points if you serve it slightly warm on cooler days.
20. Fall Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette
Got leftover cranberry sauce? Blend it into a quick vinaigrette with olive oil and apple cider vinegar, then toss with sliced pears, toasted walnuts and Gorgonzola.
Fall Salad Ideas for a Crowd
21. Green Bean Salad
Move over, green bean casserole. A green bean salad is one of the prettiest fall salad ideas for a crowd, thanks to its mix of colors and textures. Layer green and yellow wax beans with radicchio, red onion and toasted walnuts, then finish with goat cheese and a drizzle of honey mustard dressing.
22. Wild Rice Salad
Fall salad ideas for a crowd should be visually appealing and affordable, and a wild rice salad ticks both boxes. Toss cooked wild rice with sautéed mushrooms, dried cranberries, toasted pecans and fresh herbs of your choice for a simple side that packs a huge flavor punch.
23. Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
Delicata squash brings both flavor and flair to your fall salad lineup or fall party ideas. Roast the striped squash in half-moon slices, then toss with spinach, apples and dried cranberries. This one’s a standout on the table and doesn’t require any peeling—always a win.
24. Fall Panzanella
Panzanella might be a summer classic, but it makes a strong case for fall salad ideas, too. Swap tomatoes for roasted squash or sweet potato, toss with big crouton-style bread cubes, dried cranberries, nuts and balsamic dressing, and you’ve got a hearty, crowd-pleasing side.
25. Root Vegetable Caprese Salad
Caprese isn’t just for summer. Roast root vegetables like sweet potato, beets or squash, then layer with sliced mozzarella, fresh tomato and basil. A drizzle of balsamic glaze pulls it all together for one of those fall salad ideas that bridges the seasons perfectly.
Make-Ahead Fall Salads
26. Kale Caesar Salad
If you’re after make-ahead fall salads that hold up in the fridge, try swapping romaine for kale in your usual Caesar. These sturdy greens won’t wilt, making them perfect for fall salad ideas you can prep ahead. For even more staying power, trade the croutons for crispy chickpeas.
27. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Brussels sprouts are built for meal prep. Their flavor actually improves as the salad sits, making them a go-to base for make-ahead fall salad ideas. Use a mandolin or food processor to shred, then toss with chopped apples, dried fruit, toasted nuts and a lemon vinaigrette. No rules here — mix and match whatever fall ingredients you have on hand.
28. Warm Broccoli Salad
Roasted broccoli brings a new twist to the usual broccoli salad. Add crispy bacon, toasted nuts, caramelized shallots and a zippy lemon vinaigrette for a delicious salad that makes getting your five-a-day anything but a chore.
29. Leftover Turkey Salad
Leftover turkey? Use it like chicken in your favorite salad recipe for a week’s worth of lunches post-Thanksgiving. It’s one of the simplest fall salad ideas and works great stuffed in lettuce wraps, scooped with crackers or layered on sourdough.
Fall Salad Dressing Ideas
30. Cider Dressing
Capture the season in a jar with this easy cider vinaigrette. Just mix apple cider vinegar, olive oil, a touch of Dijon, maple syrup or honey, a garlic clove and sea salt. It’s a go-to for harvest bowls and just about any fall salad ideas you’re tossing together.
31. Honey Mustard
Simple, sharp and a little sweet, honey mustard is a classic for a reason. Equal parts Dijon, lemon juice and olive oil, plus half as much honey — and done. It's a quick and easy dressing that goes well with roasted vegetables, apples, pears and whatever Fall ingredients you're using.
Fall Salads Ideas FAQs
What Salad Did Jennifer Aniston Eat Every Day?
While Aniston’s on-set salad was reportedly a twist on a Cobb, the viral Jennifer Aniston salad is a fresh mix of quinoa (or bulgur), cucumbers, herbs, chickpeas, feta, red onion and pistachios.
What Are Fall Vegetables for Salads?
The best vegetables for fall salad ideas include hearty root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots and beets, dark leafy greens such as kale and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. Mushrooms also add a nice earthiness. According to WebMD, root vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that nourish your body during the cooler months of the year when there’s less fresh produce available overall.
What Kind of Dressing for Fall Salad?
A great dressing ties the whole thing together. For fall salad ideas, try a Dijon or balsamic vinaigrette sweetened with honey or maple syrup. Lemon tahini or pumpkin spice vinaigrettes add something a little different if you’re in the mood to mix it up.
What Is a Good Thanksgiving Salad?
Thanksgiving salads should be bursting with different colors, textures and flavors to impress everyone at the table. They should be hearty but not heavy, serving as a nice contrast to indulgent holiday dishes like mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Go with Fall salad ideas that include apples or pears, dried cranberries, toasted nuts and a soft cheese (like goat or Gorgonzola) to hit that festive sweet spot without stealing the spotlight from the turkey.
Now that you’ve got fall salad ideas covered, all that’s left is to pull out your favorite sweater, grab a fork and start experimenting. Add roasted veggies, tart fruits or bold dressings: whatever brings the season to your plate. These fall salads aren’t just sides; they’re full-on meals worth craving all season long.
For even more fun ideas for Fall, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
