Description
This Autumn Chopped Salad combines crisp romaine lettuce, juicy pear, dried cranberries, sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and crunchy maple pecans. Finished with poppy seed dressing and balsamic vinaigrette, this colorful fall salad is perfect for holiday meals, lunches, and seasonal gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 pieces bacon
- 1 recipe Maple Pecans
- 1/2 cup poppy seed dressing
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette
- 8 cups romaine hearts (measured after chopping in ½–¾ inch pieces)
- 1 pear
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese (measured after dicing in ½–¾ inch pieces)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine hearts. Chop into ½- to ¾-inch pieces and place in a large salad bowl.
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, allow to cool, and crumble.
- Prepare the Maple Pecans according to the separate recipe and let them cool completely.
- Dice the sharp cheddar cheese into ½- to ¾-inch pieces. Chop the pear into bite-sized pieces just before assembling.
- Add the bacon, maple pecans, pear, cheddar cheese, and dried cranberries to the romaine.
- Pour the poppy seed dressing and balsamic vinaigrette over the salad.
- Toss gently until the ingredients are evenly combined and lightly coated with dressing.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and freshness.
Notes
- Prepare the bacon, maple pecans, romaine, and cheddar ahead of time; add the pear and dressing just before serving.
- Add the dressings gradually and adjust to taste.
- Store leftover dressed salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 1 day for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Recipes
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Autumn Chopped Salad, fall chopped salad, autumn salad recipe, pear salad, cranberry salad, maple pecan salad, Thanksgiving salad