Autumn Elegance on a Plate: 25 Hearty Fall Entrée Salads to Savor the Season

25 Easy and Delicious Fall Entrée Salad Recipes To Try

Introduction

Nothing captures the flavors of autumn quite like a hearty, vibrant entrée salad filled with seasonal ingredients. These 25 easy and delicious fall entrée salad recipes are a fantastic way to embrace the best the season has to offer—making dinner both wholesome and visually stunning. A single salad can pack a satisfying mix of protein, crispy greens, roasted fall veggies, fruits, and crunchy toppings, perfect for busy weeknights or festive gatherings.

Why These Fall Entrée Salads Belong on Your Table

Autumn salads combine the natural sweetness of roasted squash, crisp apples, and pears, with the earthy savor of grains, nuts, and creamy cheeses. Their flexibility means you can mix and match ingredients based on what’s in season and what you already have in your kitchen. These salads are crowd-pleasers: nourishing, visually vibrant, and full of exciting textures and flavors—making them wonderfully filling as a main dish.

Tips for Crafting the Perfect Fall Salad

Successful fall salads start with a base of sturdy greens—think kale, arugula, or mixed baby greens—that can stand up to rich dressings and hearty toppings. Adding a roasted vegetable (butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes) brings warmth, while fresh fruits like apples or figs add brightness. Round out your salad with a protein (chicken, salmon, chickpeas, or lentils), toasted nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette for a modern, crave-worthy meal.

Must-Try 25 Fall-Inspired Entrée Salads

Here are 25 creative recipes that fit the season perfectly:

1. **Roasted Butternut Squash and Quinoa Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing**
2. **Apple, Walnut & Chicken Kale Salad**
3. **Warm Spinach, Bacon & Mushroom Salad**
4. **Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl with Farro and Brussels Sprouts**
5. **Sweet Potato, Black Bean & Avocado Salad**
6. **Fall Cobb Salad with Roasted Turkey**
7. **Pear & Gorgonzola Arugula Salad**
8. **Honey Mustard Roasted Salmon and Beet Salad**
9. **Cranberry, Pecan & Roasted Acorn Squash Salad**
10. **Chopped Asian Apple Slaw with Grilled Pork**
11. **Curried Cauliflower Lentil Salad**
12. **Moroccan Couscous Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables**
13. **Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Pomegranate Salad**
14. **Warm Steak, Blue Cheese & Caramelized Onion Salad**
15. **Grilled Chicken & Pear Salad with Toasted Walnuts**
16. **Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Pumpkin Seeds**
17. **Maple Balsamic Fig & Arugula Salad**
18. **Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad**
19. **Butternut Squash & Feta Quinoa Salad**
20. **Granny Smith Apple, Cheddar & Almond Salad**
21. **Spicy Roasted Cauliflower and Kale Salad**
22. **Turkey Waldorf Salad**
23. **Maple Dijon Roasted Root Vegetable Salad**
24. **Grilled Halloumi, Beet & Orange Salad**
25. **Harvest Chicken and Roasted Pumpkin Salad**

Ingredients

For a generic fall entrée salad base (modify proportions and ingredients per your chosen salad):
– 6 cups hearty greens (kale, arugula, or mixed greens)
– 2 cups roasted squash, sweet potato, or Brussels sprouts
– 1 cup cooked grains (quinoa, farro, or wild rice)
– 1 cup protein (chopped chicken, grilled steak, chickpeas, or lentils)
– 1/2 cup fresh apple or pear slices
– 1/4 cup toasted pecans, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds
– 1/4 cup crumbled cheese (goat cheese, feta, or blue cheese)
– 1/4 cup dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds
– 4 tbsp vinaigrette (maple balsamic, apple cider, or Dijon)
– Salt and pepper, to taste

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save your favorite fall salad recipes on CookifyAI and instantly get an organized shopping list sorted by grocery store section—a huge help when juggling multiple recipes or prepping for a busy week!

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss your chosen vegetables (such as squash, sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts) with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20–25 minutes until tender and caramelized. Let cool slightly.
  2. While veggies roast, cook grains (if using) per package instructions. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Prepare your protein (grill, roast, or pan sauté as appropriate), and slice or shred for salad.
  4. In a large salad bowl, combine greens, grains, roasted vegetables, protein, fresh fruits, nuts/seeds, and cheese.
  5. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently to combine. Top with dried fruits, additional seeds, or extra cheese if desired. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
  6. Serve immediately as a hearty main course salad.

Weekly Meal Planning

Planning to add more powerhouse salads to your fall lunch or dinner routine? Schedule these salad recipes in CookifyAI and see all ingredients neatly consolidated by category, helping you avoid double purchases and make healthier, more intentional meal choices.

**Planning Benefits:**
– Calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple meals
– Sorts shopping lists by produce, proteins, pantry items, etc.
– Lets you visualize and balance your meals for the week—great for nutrition and variety
– Makes shopping faster and less stressful

**Pro tip:** As you select new entrée salads to try next week, use CookifyAI to see how apples, nuts, or grains overlap. The app helps reduce food waste and ensures none of those delicious fall ingredients go unused!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15–20 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 35–45 minutes per salad

With 25 easy and delicious fall entrée salad recipes to try, you’ll never run out of inspiration for wholesome, satisfying autumn meals—perfectly streamlined with smart meal planning and efficient shopping!

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