Recipes

Autumn Apple Harvest Salad

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Autumn Apple Harvest Salad
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Healthy, fresh, flavorful, and crunchy Autumn Apple Harvest Salad! This fall salad recipe is a must-try. Follow the recipe as is, or try variants with fall vegetables and fruits – the choice is yours. No guilt here; feel good knowing you are eating wholesome, in-season ingredients.

The Best Healthy Autumn Apple Harvest Salad

This crispy and healthy Autumn Apple Harvest Salad is a fan favorite, packed with seasonal flavors. The salad features fresh spring greens, juicy Granny Smith apples, pepitas, pecans, pom arils, and creamy goat cheese, tossed in a simple apple cider vinaigrette (recipe included).

Autumn Apple Harvest Salad Ingredients:

  • Spring Greens — spring mix adds crunch and provides a layer for the toppings; besides that, they are packed with nutrients, vitamins, and fiber.
  • Nuts—Pepitas and pecans provide an extra crunch, texture, and added protein.
  • Granny Smith Apples —added texture, crunch, and fall, sweetness.
  • Goat cheese — adds some creaminess, which contrasts nicely with the crunchy textures.
  • Pom arils — colorful, and packed with nutrients, they provide a satisfying crunch
  • Apple cider vinegar — adds some sweetness and tang to the dressing.
  • Oil — pairs nicely with the vinegar in the dressing.
  • Sage — adds an additional earthly note, which tastes a bit woody and slightly peppery.
  • Dijon mustard — acts as a vital emulsifier, which blends oil and vinegar together.
  • Honey — great for balancing acidity, a natural emulsifier that creates depth, texture, and a touch of sweetness to the vinaigrette. Basically, it combines the acidic and sweet notes together.

Why Our Family Loves this Autumn Apple Harvest Salad

We love the seasonal notes and fall flavors, especially the fresh produce. The apples, in particular, taste the best this time of year. It feels like you are tasting a healthy bite of fall, and there’s not really any guilt with it.  Also, this recipe is great for meal prep.

That’s a Beautiful Salad.

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Healthy Autumn Apple Harvest Salad

Servings 4
Be inspired, and create your own masterpiece with this Healthy Autumn Apple Harvest Salad. The salad features fresh spring greens, juicy Granny Smith apples, pepitas, pecans, pom arils, and creamy goat cheese, tossed in a simple apple cider vinaigrette (recipe included).
Feel free to modify the recipe based on your preferences.

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl of 3+ meal prep containers
  • 1 mason jar
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 apple slicer (optional)

Ingredients

Salad

  • 4 oz Spring Mix (2 packages)
  • 4 oz. Pom Arils (1 container)
  • 1 log Plain Goat Cheese (* can sub with feta)
  • 1/2 cup Pecans (*can sub with walnuts)
  • 1/4 cup Pepitas
  • 2 Granny Smith Apples – sliced thinly (*can sub with Honeycrisp apples)

Dressing

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider
  • 1 tbs. dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp. honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp. fresh sage, thyme
  • pinch salt & pepper

Instructions 

Salad

  • In a large bowl create of bed of lettuce
  • Slice the granny smith apples thinly and place on top
  • Layer pom arils, pecans, and pepitas
  • Top with crumbled goat cheese

Dressing

  • Pour the liquid ingredients into a mason jar and whisk
  • Dice the fresh sage and thyme, then add in
  • Add salt and pepper to taste

Notes

There’s no right or wrong way to make this salad, and I’ve seen a lot of variations online. So feel free to make it how you would like. 
For the nuts: You can omit any nuts that you don’t like, or also swap out the pecans with walnuts. 
For the dressing: you can omit the apple cider if you don’t have it, or want to make it less sweet.
For the honey: you can use a different kind of sweetener, like liquid agave or maple syrup. 
For the herbs: you can also use dried herbs
Add more veggies: Try adding in some fresh avacado, roasted brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes.
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: autumn, fall, fresh, healthy, local, organic

Pro Tips & Additional Add-Ins

Protein:
To add more protein, I like to air fry a few Perdue Gluten Free chicken tenders, or Bob Evans Gluten Free Chicken Tenders, and then slice them into bite size pieces. This adds the perfect amount of crunch and makes the salad even more filling. Try adding your own favorite grilled chicken recipe.

Baked Brussel Sprouts and/or sweet potatoes:
Try adding in some more veggies for extra crunch, vitamins, and antioxidants.

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
  3. Cut the Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Drizzle with olive oil.
  5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes or until crispy.

Candied nuts

Throw in the same candied nuts, just remember that these tend to have more sugar and calories than regular ones.

Lettuce

While this recipe calls for spring mix, you can also substitute it with kale, which is loaded with vitamins and fiber, and promotes good health.

Autumn Apple Harvest Salad

How to Store It

Meal Prep

  • Grab 3-4 meal prep containers, and store it for 3-4 days in the fridge.
  • Add the chicken or protein when you are ready to eat it.
  • Dressing should be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days also.

Did You Make This Recipe?

Do you make this recipe? Share your comments and feedback below.

  • Would you make it again?
  • Did you customize it?
  • What add-ins did you try?
  • Do you have any pro tips?

What’s Next?

Create new family traditions in the kitchen or discover more gluten-free favorites at GFDalesio.com.

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