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Festive Fall Harvest Salad with Bacon, Pears, and Maple Dressing

This Fall Harvest Salad is the crown jewel of my autumn recipe collection. It combines maple-cinnamon candied pecans, juicy pears, creamy goat cheese, tangy red onion, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a simple maple-balsamic vinaigrette. The result is a symphony of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that’s perfect for cozy weeknight dinners, festive gatherings, or holiday celebrations.
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Why you'll love this...

  • Seasonal Flavors: Candied pecans, crisp bacon, sliced pears, creamy goat cheese and a simple balsamic vinaigrette perfect salad for all season long.

  • Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with leafy greens, healthy fats from nuts, and refined sugar free.

  • Easy to Make: With simple steps and ingredients you can find at any grocery store, it comes together quickly for weeknight dinners or special gatherings.

Fall Harvest Salad

This Fall Harvest Salad features maple-cinnamon candied pecans, juicy pears, creamy goat cheese, tangy red onion, dried cranberries, and crispy bacon, making it the only salad you’ll need this fall for holiday gatherings. Nutrient-dense and bursting with fresh, seasonal flavors, it’s a true autumn staple and my go-to salad for every occasion. Fancy enough to serve at a dinner party, yet simple enough for a quick weeknight meal, this is the kind of salad that’s both impressive and effortless.

The homemade maple balsamic vinaigrette is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, bringing your salads to life with every bite. It comes together in under 5 minutes and uses maple syrup for a naturally sweet, low-glycemic alternative to store-bought dressings. It’s so simple and delicious that once you make it, you’ll never go back to store-bought!

Fall Harvest Salad

What you'll Need For The Salad

  • Mixed greens- You can buy any greens you like here. Spinach works well too.

  • Bacon- You want to cook your bacon until nice and crispy. I love crunch in my salads and there is nothing worse than flabby soggy bacon! 

  • Goat cheese- Goat cheese adds a calm smooth creamy accent to this salad. It’s the perfect cheese for it, as it balances out the vinegar in the dressing.

  • Red onion- I like to slice my red onion for salads SUPER thin. I think it not only looks fancier, but I swear it tastes better too.

  • Pear- Pears or apples work great for this salad! You could also use pomegranate for a beautiful red “pop” of color.

  • Cranberries- Cranberries add a nice chewy sweet texture in this salad.

  • Pecans- you can purchase candied pecans or use my favorite recipe Maple Cinnamon Candied Pecans here.

Dressing Ingredients

  • Balsamic Vinegar

  • Avocado oil

  • Salt & Pepper

  • Dijon Mustard

  • Maple Syrup

Pro Tip

The better the quality of balsamic vinegar you use, the richer and more flavorful your dressing will be. Investing in a good balsamic makes a noticeable difference in your salad!

Balsamic Dressing

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Fall Harvest Salad

Fall Harvest Salad

tinhateats
This Fall Harvest Salad is a seasonal favorite packed with maple-cinnamon candied pecans, juicy pears, creamy goat cheese, tangy red onion, dried cranberries, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a simple maple-balsamic vinaigrette. Nutrient-dense, colorful, and bursting with autumn flavors, it’s fancy enough for a Thanksgiving dinner recipe, but easy enough for a weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dinner, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz Mixed salad greens
  • 1 lb Cooked bacon crispy & chopped
  • 1/2 cup Dried cranberries
  • 1 cup Maple sugar pecans See recipe
  • 4 oz Goat cheese
  • 1/2 cup Red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 Pear thinly sliced

Balsamic Dressing

  • 1/2 cup Avocado oil
  • 1/4 cup Balsalmic Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Maple Syrup
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper

Instructions
 

Salad

  • Prepare the pecans: Make the Maple Cinnamon Candied Pecans according to the recipe. Set aside to cool. This is best done ahead of time- can be made up to 2 weeks in advance.
  • Bake the bacon: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and arrange bacon strips evenly. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until fat is rendered and bacon is crispy. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
  • Prepare the dressing: In a mason jar, combine all maple-balsamic vinaigrette ingredients. Shake well to emulsify. Refrigerate until ready to use. This can be made in advance.
  • Prep the produce: Slice the red onion, crumble the goat cheese and slice pear right before serving.
  • Assemble the salad: In a large bowl or serving dish, layer the lettuce/greens. Sprinkle on red onion, dried cranberries, candied pecans, goat cheese, bacon, and pear slices.
  • Dress and serve: Just before serving, drizzle the salad with the maple-balsamic vinaigrette, toss gently, and serve immediately.

Notes

Make ahead Maple candied pecans link- Maple Cinnamon Candied Pecans
Keyword autumn salad recipe, Fall harvest salad, holiday salad recipe, seasonal fall salad, Thanksgiving salad recipe
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Hi, I’m Jenn – welcome to Tinhateats! Here, you’ll find a collection of gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30-friendly recipes, with a special spotlight on einkorn flour. I love reimagining classic dishes in healthier, more nourishing ways—and I hope my recipes inspire you to try something new in your own kitchen. Follow along for real food, made simple!

 

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