Fall Harvest Salad

A crisp, flavorful salad is the best way to balance some of the heavier side dishes traditionally served with a holiday meal. Red pear slices, pepitas, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, mixed greens, gouda cheese and a bright dressing make the best Fall Harvest Salad. It takes only minutes to make the homemade salad dressing and toss it with this delicious salad.

Fall is the time to celebrate an abundance of deliciously sweet red pears. Combine them with mixed leafy greens, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pomegranate seeds, pistachios, gouda cheese, and homemade Honey Dijon dressing to make this irresistible salad.

Pair the salad with hearty soup, roasted pork loin or sliced turkey breast to make a tasty fall meal. This salad is vibrant and only requires a handful of ingredients. The homemade dressing gets made right in the same bowl before the salad ingredients are added. So simple and flavorful.

Main Dishes to serve with Fall Harvest Salad?

• BBQ Pork Spareribs
• Slow-Cooker Ham and 12 Bean Soup
• Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
• White Chicken Chili
• Braised Beef Shanks
• Reuben Casserole

You’re going to love this salad, no matter what you pair with it! Let’s take a look at what’s needed to make this tasty, colorful Fall Harvest Salad.

Using only 6 ingredients for the salad and 4 ingredients for the homemade Honey Dijon dressing, you can make Fall harvest Salad in just 15 minutes. It’s a true celebration of some of the best fall flavors all rolled into one delicious dish.

Fall Harvest Salad Recipe

What’s needed:

• Mixed Greens– Use a variety of lettuce available in the fall. Harvest pack are typically sold in the grocery store or your nearby farmer’s market. Be sure to wash and dry your lettuce before using to make this salad.
• Pepitas– Pepitas are shelled squash or pumpkin seeds. These are abundant in the fall and are usually sold roasted and salted. They are simply delicious in salads and lend some crunch to the dish. I find them in the bulk dry food section at my market.
• Pistachios– Look for shelled pistachios that are honey roasted for a real punch of flavor. The salted pistachios with the sweet pomegranate seeds are a real treat. So good!
• Pomegranate Seeds– These can be found easily in November and December. They are sweet and juicy, and the seeds are loaded with fiber and antioxidants.
• Pear Slices– Red or yellow pears can be added to this salad. They are juicy and slightly sweet and really make this salad special. If you prefer, add slices of your favorite variety of apple to the salad.
• Gouda Cheese– We absolutely love gouda cheese! I use to make macaroni-n-cheese, au gratin potatoes and so much more. So, why not add it to a delicious Fall Harvest Salad. Once you take a bite, you’ll see why gouda is a necessary ingredient. It goes so well with fresh fruit and pistachios. Yum!

Tips for making Fall Harvest Salad

1. Be sure to rinse and thoroughly dry your mixed greens before adding them to the dressing in the bowl. You don’t want extra moisture in your salad.
2. Mix up the dressing and add it to the salad just before serving to preserve the freshness of the mixed greens. You may want to serve the dressing along side the salad, so guests can use as much or as little dressing as they like.
3. If you need to make this salad ahead of time, use dried cranberries or raisins instead of fresh fruit. Dried fruit won’t turn brown and will hold up for a longer period of time if you are traveling and taking this salad to a gathering to share.
4. Remove the seeds from the pomegranate for use in the salad. To do this, cut the pomegranate in half with a sharp knife. Place one half in your fand cut side down. Use a wooden spoon to strike the outside of the pomegranate to loosen the seeds inside. I usually do this over a paper towel or a bowl, so it will catch the seeds and juice. You may have to strike it a dozen or more times to get all of the seeds out. Use your fingers to remove any remaining seeds. These juicy little gems are sweet and delicious!

How to make Fall Harvest Salad

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Add salad dressing ingredients to a large mixing bowl and whisk until dressing is thick, about two minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Add remaining salad ingredients to the bowl and toss to coat with dressing. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with turkey, pork or a hearty bowl of soup and bread. Recipe makes 6 servings.

More side dishes to serve for the holidays:

• Pumpkin Spiced Baked Beans
• Baked Macaroni and Cheese
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes
• Mini Cornbread Muffins
• Mom’s Thanksgiving Dressing
• Bacon and Onion Stuffed Mushrooms

Remember to leave me a comment after making this amazing salad! I hope you love it as much as we do. And I encourage you to enter your email address in the SUBSCRIBE BOX to get new recipes sent right to your inbox.