You know that feeling of throwing together a salad with your farmers’ market haul? It doesn’t have to end with summer! Keep it going into autumn with this harvest salad. Combined with its honey balsamic vinaigrette, this salad unites the sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements of fresh fall produce.

harvest salad with honey balsamic vinaigrette

This harvest salad lives up to its name by celebrating the season’s bounty with a mix of flavors and textures that speak to the summer-to-fall transition. The combination of greens, mandarin oranges, red onions, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and shaved Parmesan cheese creates a hearty mix that stands up on its own and complements seasonal meals, too.

Topped with a homemade vinaigrette made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, every bite is satisfying — and nutritious!

What to Serve with Harvest Salad

If you are making this salad to be your primary meal, you can still “comfort it up” to the level you like with carbs — crusty bread, homemade rolls, buttery croissants, or a selection of crackers. If you’d rather make it more substantial with protein instead of carbs, top it with crispy bacon or serve a few of my bacon cracker appetizers along with it.

To balance the flavors, add a beverage that’s refreshing, like sparkling water with a hint of lemon or a glass of chilled white wine.

As for serving this harvest salad as a side dish, its fruity and sweet notes go really well with lighter roasted or grilled meats like chicken, salmon and pork. The tangy vinaigrette complements the light, savory flavors of these meats, while the crunchy nuts and sweet fruit offer a nice contrast.

Thinking soup-and-salad? Pair it with my roasted butternut squash soup. Few things go better with a fall harvest salad than roasted butternut flavors!

For dessert, play off the fruit flavors with a sorbet or baked apple slices with a scoop of ice cream to add more fall flair. Along that line, my apple pizza is another great option.

Ingredients needed to make this harvest salad and honey balsamic vinaigrette

Spring Greens: The base of the salad offers a fresh and crisp foundation. Romaine is another lettuce alternative. To pack in more vitamins and fiber, consider kale. If you do, I recommend softening it with lemon juice and a little bit of extra virgin olive oil.
Mandarin Oranges: Brings sweet, citrusy bursts of flavor. 
Red Onions: Adds a pleasing crunch and distinct, pungent flavor.  
Dried Cranberries: Adds a pop of color, sweet and tart flavor, and chewy texture.
Toasted Nuts: Lends a warm, toasty crunch and flavor.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, savory, slightly nutty tang with a delicate texture. 
Olive Oil: Creates a rich, smooth base to the vinaigrette. 
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a tangy depth and a touch of sweetness. 
Honey: Balances the vinegar’s acidity with a floral sweetness. 
Dijon Mustard: Provides a slight sharpness and helps emulsify the vinaigrette. 
Poppyseeds: While these are optional, they do contribute a subtle nutty flavor and a pleasant texture.
Salt & Pepper: Balance and enhance the flavors in the dressing.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Mixing bowl
Cheese shaver (optional)
Knife

Frequently Asked Questions About Harvest Salad

Here are some common questions and answers about prepping and storing this harvest salad. If you have a question you don’t see covered here, leave a note in the comments section, and I will respond as soon as possible.

How do you keep salad fresh overnight? 

To keep your salad fresh overnight, store the greens and dressing separately. Place the leftovers in a container lined with a paper towel and cover them with an airtight lid. Refrigerate the dressing in a separate jar. When you are ready to enjoy the salad, shake the dressing well and toss it in with the greens just before serving.

Can you cut up a salad the night before? 

While you can prepare some ingredients ahead of time, like toasting the nuts or slicing the red onion, it’s best to chop the spring greens and assemble the salad just before serving. This ensures that the greens maintain their crispness and freshness.

Can I use a different type of nut in this salad? 

Sure! Feel free to experiment with different nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans, to find your favorite combination. You might also consider pumpkin seeds. Don’t waste them when you do your carving night! Lightly salt, roast and store them in an airtight container for your fall salads throughout the season.

Can I use a different cheese instead of Parmesan? 

To preserve the basic flavors of this recipe, you can try other hard, salty cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago. However, keep in mind Parmesan cheese is critical to the distinct flavor of this particular salad recipe. It’s the nuttiness, which these other hard cheeses can resemble.

For a spin on this recipe, substitute feta cheese or goat cheese, and swap the cranberries for pomegranate arils (pomegranate seeds). Fall salad recipes call upon us to be resourceful at the end of the season! And on that note …

Can I use a different fruit instead of mandarin oranges? 

Mandarin oranges are also critical to this recipe, but feel free to experiment with other flavors in the salad. Try other citrus fruits like clementines, tangerines, or even blood oranges. If you don’t prefer citrus, try crisp apples instead. Apples are quintessential fall fruits, and I recommend a thinly sliced honeycrisp apple if you go this route.

More Grandma-Approved Recipes To Try

If you enjoy this recipe for harvest salad, I think you’ll also love these other family favorites. They are all delicious and grandma-approved!

Caesar Salad Recipe With Homemade Dressing
Cobb Salad Recipe
The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe
Roasted Vegetable Salad
Spinach Strawberry Salad