Autumn Chopped Salad Recipe: Best Side Salad for Thanksgivings

Introduction

An Autumn Chopped Salad brings festive, vibrant color and irresistible crunch to your Thanksgiving table. With sweet diced apples, crisp greens, toasted nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette, this salad is the perfect side dish for the season. Its blend of autumn flavors—think cranberries, roasted squash, or creamy cheese—makes it a welcome balance to classic Thanksgiving mains and rich sides.

Why This Autumn Chopped Salad Shines at Thanksgiving

This salad delivers a refreshing contrast to hearty Thanksgiving fare. The combination of fresh ingredients highlights the bounty of autumn: tart apples, nutty pecans, creamy goat cheese, and chewy dried cranberries. Each bite bursts with texture and flavor, making this chopped salad a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes and can be made ahead, keeping your holiday prep simple and stress-free.

Signature Ingredients for Your Autumn Chopped Salad

The magic of this recipe is in the medley of complementary flavors. Chopped romaine provides a sturdy, crunchy base, while apples add a juicy sweetness. Roasted butternut squash brings a mellow earthiness, and red onions deliver a bright zing. Finished with goat cheese, candied pecans, and a maple-Dijon vinaigrette, every component is thoughtfully balanced for the ultimate side salad.

How to Assemble the Best Chopped Salad

To ensure even flavor in every mouthful, chop all your ingredients into similar-sized pieces—this trick is key for beautiful presentation and perfect bites. Toss the salad just before serving to preserve the crispness of the greens and prevent sogginess. For a show-stopping finish, sprinkle on extra cheese and nuts right before bringing the bowl to the table.

Serving Suggestions for Your Thanksgiving Salad

Plate the salad in a large, shallow bowl or on a platter for a rustic autumn display. Add some extra cranberries or a drizzle of vinaigrette for a glossy finish. This salad pairs well with roast turkey, glazed ham, or vegetarian mains, and its bright flavors cleanse the palate between bites of rich holiday favorites.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 8 generous side servings, just right for Thanksgiving gatherings. Each serving contains roughly 220–260 calories, with nutritious fiber from greens and apples, healthy fats from pecans, and a touch of protein from cheese. It’s a lighter, wholesome way to balance the big feast!

Autumn Chopped Salad (Recap)

With its bold mix-ins and lively vinaigrette, this Autumn Chopped Salad is destined to become your new favorite Thanksgiving side. Easy to prep in advance, it adds freshness and a hint of luxury to every holiday spread.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Prepare your squash: If using fresh squash, roast cubed butternut tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Cool completely before adding to salad.
2. Make the vinaigrette: In a jar, whisk (or shake) together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning.
3. Chop all salad ingredients: Cut lettuce, apple, onion, and nuts into evenly sized pieces for a uniform bite.
4. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine, apple, roasted squash, cranberries, pecans, red onion, and goat cheese.
5. Toss and serve: Pour vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and toss lightly until everything is coated. Transfer to a serving dish, top with extra cheese and pecans, and serve immediately.

Weekly Meal Planning

This salad is ideal for meal prepping and enjoying fresh all week. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days to serve it and generate a smart shopping list that combines ingredients from all your planned dishes—perfect for efficient shopping and stress-free meal planning.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates ingredient totals for your planned meals
– Organizes your shopping list by grocery section for quicker trips
– Prevents overbuying and ensures you don’t forget holiday essentials
– Streamlines your holiday and weekly meal prep for maximum ease

Pro tip: Schedule this salad alongside other autumn favorites using CookifyAI to optimize ingredient use. For example, both this and a stuffing recipe may require onions—CookifyAI tallies the total for your list so you never come up short.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes (if roasting squash)
Total Time: 30–40 minutes

Enjoy the burst of seasonal flavor this Autumn Chopped Salad brings—your guests will appreciate the freshness, and your Thanksgiving table will shine.