Autumn Chopped Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette: A Flavorful Fall Favorite

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!

Photo byThriving Home

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!

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.

Photo byThriving Home

Ingredients

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

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.

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.)

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.

Photo byThriving Home

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.

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.

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

More Amazing Salads to Try

• Strawberry Spinach Salad with Lemon Honey Vinaigrette
• Summer Strawberry Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing
• Mandarin Orange Salad with Citrus Salad Dressing
• Southwest Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
• My Favorite Cobb Salad
• Wilted Lettuce Salad – Delicious, easy way to use up garden greens!