Autumn Cobb Salad is a vibrant, seasonal twist on the classic Cobb salad, featuring hearty fall ingredients that capture the flavors of the season. This salad is a perfect balance of fresh greens, roasted vegetables, protein, and creamy dressing, making it both satisfying and nourishing. The addition of seasonal ingredients like roasted sweet potatoes, crispy bacon, and pears brings a new depth to the traditional Cobb salad, offering a mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Whether served for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish for a fall gathering, this salad is the ideal way to enjoy the tastes of autumn.
To create the base of the Autumn Cobb Salad, start with a mix of greens such as romaine, arugula, or spinach. These provide a fresh, crisp backdrop for the other ingredients. Roasted sweet potatoes add a touch of natural sweetness and a warm, comforting texture, while roasted Brussels sprouts or butternut squash can also be great additions, adding an earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the greens. The addition of crispy bacon or turkey bacon gives the salad a savory, smoky note, while hard-boiled eggs provide a protein boost.
For extra richness and texture, slice ripe pears or apples into thin wedges to add a bit of sweetness, and scatter crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese over the top for a creamy, tangy contrast. Chopped walnuts or pecans provide a crunchy finish, enhancing the nutty flavors of the roasted vegetables. A simple balsamic vinaigrette or maple-dijon dressing drizzled over the top ties everything together, adding a tangy-sweet glaze that complements the ingredients perfectly.
Autumn Cobb Salad is an incredibly versatile dish, and you can easily adjust the ingredients based on your preferences or what’s available in your kitchen. For a more hearty option, you can add grilled chicken or roasted turkey breast. This salad also works wonderfully as a side dish alongside a warm, comforting soup or as a main course for a light yet satisfying dinner.
With its rich textures, vibrant colors, and seasonal flavors, Autumn Cobb Salad is a perfect celebration of fall produce. It’s a great way to enjoy the bounty of the season while still indulging in the classic flavors of a Cobb salad.
Ingredients
- 2 cups butternut squash peeled and cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 6 cups mixed greens pre-washed
- 1 cup apple sliced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries unsweetened
- 1/2 cup pecans toasted
- 1/2 cup goat cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, until tender and slightly caramelized.
- While the squash is roasting, prepare the honey mustard dressing by whisking together olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, roasted squash, sliced apple, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crumbled goat cheese.
- Drizzle the salad with honey mustard dressing just before serving and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Autumn Cobb Salad!
This salad is autumn on a plate! The flavors blend so well, it’s like a hug in a bowl. 🍂❤️
Is goat cheese really cheese tho?Feels weird to me. I used cheddar instead!
Cheese is cheese! Goat cheese is just different, but it’s still cheese. Cheddar is nice too, though! 🍴
I dunno, but I think goat cheese is like, more fancy? Cheddar is good for like, everything!
This recipe is nonsense. Who puts fruit in salad? Crazy!!!
I love fruit in salads! Gives it a nice sweetness. 😍
I don’t like salad but this one tasts good! I had 3 servings. Yum!
I made this for my family but they weren’t fans of the goat cheese. Maybe use feta next time?
I can see why they wouldn’t like goat cheese. Feta might be a good switch, but have you tried just using less goat cheese? Sometimes it’s just too strong for some people.
Why would you even use goat cheese? Just stick with cheddar, much better! 😂
I was a bit skeptical about the goat cheese, but it really works with the sweetness of the apples!
Too many ingredients for a simple salad! Who needs fancy stuff like pecans and goat cheese? Just toss some lettuce and be done.
Absolutely delicious! The roasted squash gives it such a nice flavor. Will definitely make again!
I tried this recipe too and it was amazing, but I used pumpkin instead of squash and it turned out great! Maybe I’ll just keep it that way!
I didn’t have any cranberries, just replaced with raisins. Turned out good but not sure if it’s as healthy. 😅
Yumm! Perfect for fall 🍂. I added some grilled chicken for extra protein and it was delicious!
Yummy! The roasted squash adds a nice touch. Perfect for Thanksgiving too!
This sounds fantastic! I love how you’ve made it festive with the squash. Can’t wait to try it for our family dinner!
This is way too complicated for a salad. Just toss some veggies in a bowl and call it a day!
Seems like a lot of work for a salad. I mean, can’t you just buy one from the store?
But it’s not just a salad! The butternut squash makes it fancy. Plus roasted veggies are so much better than raw ones!
Why add cranberries? They ruin everything. Just make it plain.
This salad is amazing! I love the combo of flavors, especially the goat cheese with the apples. Will definitely make again!
This recipe is okay, but I think it needs more dressing. It felt a bit dry to me. 🤷♂️
I totally forgot to add the cranberries and it still turned out great! Super easy.
Wow, this salad looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it this fall!
My husband loved it, but my kids wouldn’t touch it. They said no to squash! 🤣
Not sure what all the hype is about. The butternut squash was too mushy for me and the dressing was kinda bland.
Toasty pecans = heaven! I used walnuts instead tho because that’s what I had. Still very tasty!
Nice but I don’t understand why the ingredients needed to be roasted. Raw squash is fine, right???