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Bright and colorful fall harvest salad topped with pears, apples, walnuts, and blue cheese.

Festive Harvest Salad With Blue Cheese

This festive harvest salad is a colorful mix of autumn flavors that feels fresh, vibrant, and satisfying. It is easy enough to prepare for a weeknight while still special enough for holidays. Perfect for fall dinners, gatherings, or seasonal lunches, it brings the best of the season to your table.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Shilpa

Equipment

  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large salad bowl or platter

Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 6 cups mixed greens arugula, spinach, and baby kale
  • 2-3 ripe pears thinly sliced
  • 1 crisp apple thinly sliced
  • ½ cup walnuts toasted
  • ½ cup blue cheese crumbled

For the Spicy Citrus Vinaigrette:

  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and cayenne pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking until the dressing is fully emulsified. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  • Assemble the salad: In a large serving bowl or platter, arrange the mixed greens. Layer with sliced pears and apples. Sprinkle toasted walnuts and crumbled blue cheese evenly over the salad.
  • Dress and serve: Drizzle the spicy citrus vinaigrette on top just before serving and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For extra crunch, substitute candied pecans or almonds for the walnuts.
  • If blue cheese is too strong, feta or goat cheese makes a milder alternative.
  • Best served fresh, but you can prep the dressing ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 410mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 946IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 1mg
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