29 Fall Salads to Get You in That Leaf-Peeping Mood
While summer salads are glorious, we have a soft spot for fall salads. The best versions are feats of balance, cutting the bite of bitter greens with mellow roasted squash or root vegetables, crisp apples, or supple figs, getting dressed up with toasty walnuts or buttery pecans, shavings of sharp cheese and hints of maple syrup. These salads often work as complete meals on their own—but they’re also ideal for accompanying whatever dinner you feel like roasting now that the weather has cooled enough to turn on your oven again. Scroll down for 29 must-make fall salad recipes to get started.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton1/29Escarole, Pear, Parmesan, and Basil Leaf Salad
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele2/29Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts Salad With Spiced Maple Vinaigrette
The air fryer treats your brussels sprouts right, coaxing out crispy edges and caramelized nubbins. This salad, with its earthy maple vinaigrette and dried cranberries or tart cherries, is ready to become one of your go-to fall dinner ideas. It’s a hearty way to use up any cooked farro, barley, or quinoa that you might have around.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton3/29Endive, Apple, and Celery Salad With Smoked Almonds and Cheddar
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson4/29Sheet-Pan Roasted Squash and Feta Salad
This squash salad with radicchio could be a weekday dinner main course—or a showstopping Thanksgiving side dish. It offers all the fall flavors you want, with tons of satisfying texture too.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton5/29Kale Salad With Brussels Sprouts, Apples, and Hazelnuts
You may feel like you’ve already got kale salads covered, but brussels sprouts, apples, Gouda, radishes, and hazelnuts turn this version into something special enough to serve to guests.
Photo by Kate Schwager6/29Miso-Harissa Delicata Squash and Brussels Sprouts Salad
The savory power of miso meets the heat of harissa in this autumnal salad of squash and brussels sprouts. Serve alongside a roast chicken or pork tenderloin.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich7/29Red-Wine-Poached Pears With Goat Cheese Sabayon, Pumpernickel, and Pine Nuts
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton8/29Frisée and Carrot Ribbon Salad With Za’atar-Lemon Vinaigrette
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson9/29Simplest Kale Salad
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson10/29Beet Salad With Pickled Mushrooms and Caramelized Shallots
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton11/29Burnt Broccoli and Crushed Olive Salad
If you think broccoli is boring, you might just need better broccoli recipes. This broccoli salad gives you chargrilled flavor, minus the grill; deeply browning the broccoli in a cast-iron skillet instead. Squeeze some lemon juice over each serving at the table.
Photo by Chris Court and William Meppem12/29Smoky Pumpkin, Spelt, Pomegranate, and Feta Salad
This fall grain salad combines spelt with kabocha squash that’s been roasted in a smoky paprika and pomegranate molasses glaze.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Jennifer Ophir13/29Autumn Kale Salad
This dish celebrates the colors and flavors of fall, adding sweet raisins and caramelized delicata squash to contrast the slightly bitter kale. It’s a winning combo that’s great for potlucks.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton14/29Kale Salad With Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Seeds
