Cozy Autumn Bliss Salad with Maple Dressing Recipe: Fall in a Bowl

Crisp fall leaves dance outside while this autumn bliss salad with maple dressing promises a symphony of seasonal flavors.

Golden roasted squash and vibrant greens mingle to create a spectacular dish that captures harvest’s essence.

Sweet maple notes weave through each delectable bite, offering pure comfort.

Tender mixed greens provide a fresh foundation for this stunning seasonal creation.

Crunchy nuts and soft cheese add delightful textures that complement the salad warm undertones.

Bold yet balanced, this recipe delivers a mouthwatering experience that celebrates autumn culinary magic.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to savor every delicious forkful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 270 kcal

Servings: 5

Maple-Dressed Salad: What You’ll Need

• Butternut Squash: Sweet autumn vegetable that brings earthy richness and vibrant orange color to the salad, choose firm squash with smooth skin and heavy for its size.
• Olive Oil: Helps squash caramelize beautifully and adds smooth, silky texture during roasting, select extra virgin for best flavor.
• Salt: Enhances natural squash sweetness and helps with caramelization, use sea salt for deeper mineral notes.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle heat that complements squash's natural sweetness, freshly ground provides most robust flavor.

• Mixed Greens: Crisp foundation providing varied textures and fresh base, select a blend with baby spinach and arugula for complexity.
• Apple: Introduces sharp, sweet crunch that balances roasted squash, choose crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala.
• Dried Cranberries: Adds tangy-sweet burst and jewel-like color, look for unsweetened versions with natural tartness.
• Pecans: Brings rich, buttery crunch and nutty depth, toast beforehand to intensify flavor profile.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy element that provides luxurious counterpoint to other ingredients, select fresh, locally produced when possible.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, rich base for maple dressing, choose high-quality cold-pressed variety.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides bright, acidic balance to sweet ingredients, opt for unfiltered for deeper flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Introduces authentic autumnal sweetness, select pure grade A for most intense maple character.

Equipment for Autumn Salad Prep

• Baking sheet: Essential for roasting butternut squash cubes evenly and creating caramelized edges.
• Large bowl: Perfect for mixing all salad ingredients together without making a mess.
• Small bowl or jar: Ideal for whisking and combining maple dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend dressing components quickly and create a uniform consistency.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping squash, apples, and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Critical for precise cutting of butternut squash and apple slices.

How to Make an Autumn Salad

• Autumn Essence

A delightful salad celebrating seasonal flavors and textures that brings warmth to your dining experience. This culinary creation combines sweet and savory elements for a memorable meal.

• Squash Preparation

Carefully cube butternut squash and spread on a baking sheet. Enhance with gentle olive oil coating and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in a warm oven until edges turn golden and centers become tender.

• Salad Assembly

Layer crisp mixed greens as your foundation. Artfully scatter roasted squash cubes, crisp apple slices, crunchy pecans, creamy goat cheese crumbles, and vibrant cranberry gems across the greens.

• Maple Dressing

Craft a harmonious dressing by blending olive oil, tangy apple cider vinegar, rich maple syrup, zesty Dijon mustard, and a whisper of seasoning. Whisk until ingredients dance together smoothly.

• Final Touch

Gently cascade dressing over salad components. Softly toss to ensure each morsel is kissed with maple-infused flavor. Serve immediately to capture peak freshness and magical autumn spirit.

Dressing and Seasonal Tips for Fall Salads

• Cube butternut squash into uniform sizes to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning during roasting.
• Toast pecans in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding to the salad, which intensifies their rich, warm flavor and releases natural oils.
• Substitute goat cheese with feta for a tangier profile, or replace butternut squash with delicata or acorn squash for different seasonal textures and tastes.
• Prepare maple dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing flavors to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
• Chop and store salad ingredients separately in the refrigerator, keeping greens and roasted squash crisp and fresh until ready to combine and serve.

Serve Autumn Salad Beautifully

• Elevate Autumn Dinner Presentation: Serve this vibrant salad as a stunning centerpiece on a rustic wooden platter, showcasing the golden squash and colorful ingredients against a warm, earthy backdrop.
• Pair with Protein Powerhouses: Complement the salad with grilled chicken breast, seared salmon, or roasted turkey to transform it into a complete, satisfying meal that balances flavors and nutrition.
• Wine and Dine Companion: Match the salad's sweet and tangy profile with a crisp white wine like Riesling or a light Pinot Grigio, enhancing the maple dressing's delicate maple undertones and bringing out the dish's autumnal essence.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare components separately and store in airtight containers, keeping dressing, roasted squash, and chopped ingredients refrigerated until ready to assemble, ensuring maximum freshness and convenience for quick meal preparation.

How to Keep Autumn Salad Fresh

• Store Smartly: Transfer any leftover salad to an airtight container, keeping dressing separate to maintain crisp greens and prevent sogginess.
• Refrigerate Quickly: Seal the salad components in separate containers, storing in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to preserve freshness and quality.
• Prep Ahead Strategically: Chop vegetables and toast nuts in advance, storing them individually to assemble the salad quickly when ready to serve.
• Revive Easily: When ready to enjoy leftovers, gently toss the ingredients and add a splash of fresh maple dressing to refresh the salad's vibrant flavors.

Rustic Autumn Bliss Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Maple-infused autumn bliss salad combines roasted seasonal vegetables with crisp greens and a tangy dressing. Hearty ingredients create a satisfying meal that celebrates fall’s rich flavors, offering you a delightful culinary experience.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups (950 ml) mixed greens (arugula, spinach, and kale)
• 1 cup (150 g) roasted butternut squash cubes
• ½ cup (60 g) pecans, toasted
• ¼ cup (30 g) crumbled goat cheese
• ¼ cup (40 g) dried cranberries
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Roast Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), positioning rack centrally for uniform roasting.
2. Squash Preparation: Cut butternut squash into precise 1-inch cubes, then coat thoroughly with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper to ensure complete seasoning.
3. Roasting Process: Spread squash in a single layer on rimmed baking sheet, allowing space between pieces for caramelization; roast for 22-25 minutes, rotating midway to achieve golden edges and tender interior.
4. Cooling Phase: Remove roasted squash and rest for 10 minutes, enabling flavor concentration and slight firming.
5. Salad Assembly: Layer mixed greens in a large bowl, strategically arranging roasted squash, crisp apple slices, toasted pecans, crumbled goat cheese, and dried cranberries for visual and flavor complexity.
6. Maple Dressing Creation: Combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a sealed jar; shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to create a smooth, integrated dressing.
7. Final Composition: Delicately drizzle dressing over salad, gently tossing to distribute flavors evenly without overwhelming ingredients; serve immediately to preserve texture and temperature.

Notes

• Roasting Technique Mastery: Achieve perfect caramelization by spreading squash in a single layer, ensuring each cube gets golden edges and maximum flavor development.
• Dressing Emulsion Trick: Shake dressing ingredients vigorously in a sealed jar for 15-20 seconds to create a smooth, well-blended vinaigrette that coats ingredients evenly.
• Temperature and Timing Precision: Allow roasted squash to cool for 10 minutes, letting flavors intensify and texture slightly firm up before adding to the salad.
• Salad Assembly Strategy: Layer ingredients gently to maintain individual textures, drizzling dressing lightly just before serving to keep greens crisp and vibrant.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg