Autumn Chopped Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Autumn Chopped Salad is a delightful mix of crisp romaine, sweet pears, savory bacon, and crunchy maple pecans. Tossed with a blend of balsamic vinaigrette and poppy seed dressing, it offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures ideal for fall meals.

Ingredients

• 8 cups romaine hearts (chopped)
• 1 pear (chopped)
• 8 pieces bacon (cooked and chopped)
• 1 recipe Maple Pecans (chopped)
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese (diced)
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette
• 1/2 cup poppy seed dressing

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Maple Pecans according to your preferred recipe.
2. Step 2: Chop the romaine, pear, cooked bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese into ½ to ¾ inch pieces. Uniform size helps with even mixing and texture.
3. Step 3: In a large serving bowl, place the chopped romaine at the bottom. Layer the pears, bacon, maple pecans, cheese, and dried cranberries evenly on top.
4. Step 4: Combine balsamic vinaigrette and poppy seed dressing in a jar. Shake well to blend the flavors thoroughly.
5. Step 5: Pour the mixed dressing over the salad and use tongs to gently toss everything together until evenly coated. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add roasted chickpeas or toasted walnuts for extra crunch.
• Swap the pear for apple or persimmon to adjust sweetness and seasonality.
• If you prefer a creamier dressing, increase the poppy seed dressing to 3/4 cup and reduce balsamic vinaigrette accordingly.

Storage

Store leftover salad without dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Keep the dressing separate and add just before serving to maintain freshness and texture. Toss leftovers gently when reheating is not needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the salad ahead of time?

It’s best to prep the ingredients separately but combine and dress the salad just before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.

What can I use if I don’t have poppy seed dressing?

You can substitute ranch dressing or a honey mustard dressing depending on your taste preference; balsamic and honey-based dressings pair well with the fall flavors.

Autumn Chopped Salad Recipe

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4.4 from 557 reviews

This Autumn Chopped Salad is a vibrant and crunchy mix perfect for fall, featuring crisp romaine, sweet pears, smoky bacon, crunchy maple pecans, sharp cheddar, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a blend of balsamic vinaigrette and poppy seed dressings. It’s a colorful, flavorful salad ideal for a hearty side or light meal.

• Author: Sienna
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes (for bacon and pecans)
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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Salad Ingredients

• 8 cups romaine hearts, chopped
• 1 pear, chopped
• 8 pieces bacon, cooked and chopped
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, diced
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Maple Pecans

• 1 recipe Maple Pecans (prepared and chopped as per recipe)

Dressings

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette
• 1/2 cup poppy seed dressing

Instructions

1. Prepare Maple Pecans: Make the maple pecans according to the specified recipe, then chop them into bite-sized pieces.
2. Chop Ingredients: Chop romaine hearts, sharp cheddar cheese, cooked bacon, and pear into ½ to ¾ inch pieces, ensuring all ingredients are similar in size to create a uniform chopped salad texture. Set aside.
3. Assemble Salad: In a large serving bowl, place the chopped romaine as a base, then layer with the chopped pear, chopped bacon, chopped maple pecans, diced cheddar cheese, and dried cranberries.
4. Make Dressing: Combine the balsamic vinaigrette and poppy seed dressing in a jar, shaking vigorously to blend them well.
5. Toss Salad: Pour the combined dressing over the salad, and gently toss the salad using tongs to evenly coat all ingredients without bruising or over-mixing. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

• The key to a great chopped salad is uniformly sized ingredients; aim for ½ to ¾ inch pieces.
• Use freshly cooked and cooled bacon for optimal texture and flavor.
• Combine two dressings for a balanced tangy and sweet flavor profile.
• Serve immediately after tossing to maintain crispness.
• Maple pecans add a sweet crunch and can be prepared in advance.

Keywords: autumn salad, chopped salad, bacon salad, pear salad, maple pecans, fall salad, balsamic vinaigrette, poppy seed dressing