As the temperatures go down, my sweet salad craving kicks up. I start to see apples go on sale, and I just know it’s time to make my Autumn Harvest Salad. This salad hits that sweet spot with crisp, fresh apples, tangy cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a maple vinaigrette. It pairs perfectly with warm soups and casseroles, fresh bread, a quick sandwich, or by itself for a light lunch.

This recipe is great because it’s not only quick to make, but it also works as a really quick way to prep a delicious side for a more complicated dinner. All parts of the salad can be made ahead and stored until ready for use. If you don’t want to make anything else for that meal and need some meat, chicken goes really well with the ensemble. Most of the ingredients, besides the dressing, can be bought and all thrown in a bowl, which makes prep work and assembly time minimal. We are always happy to have another recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to make. I originally got this recipe from my wonderful mother-in-law (surprise, surprise). I have since changed her recipe to fit my own tastes and lazy preferences, and it is definitely a keeper!

Ingredients

Dressing

½ Cup canola oil
¼ Cup maple syrup
¼ Cup mayonnaise
1½ Tablespoons white wine vinegar (1 Tablespoon + 1½ teaspoons)
2 teaspoons sugar
pinch ground cinnamon *optional

Salad

1 5 ounce bag spring mix Baby greens also work!
1 head romaine lettuce A 5-ounce bag also works
½ red apple
½ Cup dried cranberries
½ Cup pecans
¼ Cup feta cheese

How to Make It

Add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl or a measuring cup that holds at least two cups. Whisk together until the sugar is dissolved and set aside.
Chop your lettuce and add your spring mix to a large bowl.
Chop the apple into small pieces. Add them to the bowl along with cranberries and pecans.
Whisk your dressing one more time before serving the salad with feta cheese.

Variations

Swap pumpkin seeds, walnuts, or almond slivers for pecans
If you don’t want to use feta, you can grate some toscano cheese on top of your salad
You can forget the romaine and try having the salad on baby greens and spinach instead

Final Thoughts

Whether you are in need of a quick, make-ahead side or you just want to whip up something that is delicious, makes you feel healthy, and takes almost no work, this salad has your back. I highly recommend pairing it with my Easy Butternut Squash Soup (1 hour, make this during the simmering phase). The dressing always makes more than you need, so you can store the extra in the fridge to reduce work the next time you make this delicious salad. Trust me, you will be making it again really soon.