Looking for a vibrant and healthy salad that captures the essence of fall? Look no further than this Harvest Cobb Salad! This recipe takes the classic Cobb salad and infuses it with seasonal ingredients like roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, and toasted pecans, making it the perfect lunch or light dinner for autumn. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and incredibly satisfying.
What is Harvest Cobb Salad?
The Harvest Cobb Salad is a delightful autumnal twist on the traditional Cobb salad. While maintaining the core components – lettuce, protein, cheese, and vegetables – it swaps out some of the standard ingredients for fall-inspired alternatives. Think sweet roasted butternut squash instead of tomatoes, crisp apples instead of cucumbers, and candied pecans instead of bacon. This creates a salad that’s not only nutritious and filling but also boasts the warm, comforting flavors of the season.
It’s a great way to use up leftover roasted vegetables and enjoy the bounty of the fall harvest. It’s also incredibly customizable, allowing you to adapt it to your personal preferences and dietary needs. Ready to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the flavors of fall? Let’s get started and try the recipe!
Key Ingredients for Harvest Cobb Salad:
Here’s what you’ll need to bring this vibrant salad to life:
- Lettuce: 6 cups mixed greens (such as romaine, spinach, or a spring mix). Washed and dried.
- Roasted Butternut Squash: 1 cup, cubed and roasted. (See tip below for roasting instructions).
- Apples: 1 medium, cored and diced (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples work well).
- Cooked Chicken or Turkey: 1 ½ cups, diced. (Leftover rotisserie chicken or roasted turkey is perfect!).
- Hard-Boiled Eggs: 3 large, peeled and quartered.
- Blue Cheese: ½ cup, crumbled. (Feel free to substitute with goat cheese or feta if you prefer).
- Candied Pecans: ½ cup, toasted
- Red Onion: ¼ cup, thinly sliced.
- Bacon (Optional): 4 slices, cooked until crispy and crumbled.
- **Avocado:**1 medium, peeled, pitted, and diced.
- Dressing: ½ cup homemade honey mustard vinaigrette (recipe below), or your favorite store-bought vinaigrette.
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette (Optional):
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Roasting Butternut Squash (Optional):
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
How to Make Harvest Cobb Salad:
This Harvest Cobb Salad is surprisingly easy to put together. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes, this salad is perfect for busy weeknights or a quick lunch. It combines satisfying textures and flavors, making it a delightful meal any time of year. The star of the show is undoubtedly the roasted butternut squash, which adds a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the savory ingredients.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Roast the Butternut Squash (if not already roasted): Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Let cool slightly.
Prepare the Dressing (if making homemade): In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Arrange the Lettuce: In a large serving bowl or platter, arrange the mixed greens evenly as your base.
Assemble the Salad: Arrange the roasted butternut squash, diced apples, cooked chicken or turkey, hard-boiled eggs, crumbled blue cheese, candied pecans, sliced red onion, bacon (if using), and diced avocado in rows or sections over the lettuce.
- Chef’s Tip: For a visually appealing salad, try creating distinct sections for each ingredient.
Drizzle with Dressing: Drizzle the salad with the honey mustard vinaigrette (or your dressing of choice).
- Portion Control: To avoid soggy salads, drizzle only the amount you plan to consume immediately.
Serve Immediately: Enjoy your delicious and healthy Harvest Cobb Salad!
- Presentation Matters: A sprinkle of extra candied pecans or blue cheese can add a final touch of elegance.
Why You’ll Love This Harvest Cobb Salad:
This Harvest Cobb Salad is a winner for many reasons. The main highlight is the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. The sweetness of the roasted butternut squash and apple pairs beautifully with the salty blue cheese and savory protein. Not only is it delicious, but making this salad at home is also a great way to save money compared to ordering a similar salad at a restaurant. You have complete control over the ingredients and portion sizes, allowing you to create a salad that suits your budget and dietary needs.
What makes this salad truly special are the toppings – the candied pecans add a delightful crunch and sweetness, while the creamy avocado provides a healthy dose of fats and a satisfying texture. If you enjoy a classic Wedge Salad, you might find this Harvest Cobb Salad to be a more nutritious and equally satisfying alternative. In contrast to the heavier and simpler Wedge Salad, the Harvest Cobb Salad bursts with layers of diverse flavors and nutrients.
Ready to upgrade your lunch game? Grab your ingredients and make this Harvest Cobb Salad today!
What to Serve Harvest Cobb Salad With:
This Harvest Cobb Salad is delicious on its own as a complete meal, but here are some complementary dishes that pair well with it:
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a warm slice of crusty bread, like sourdough or baguette, for soaking up the delicious dressing.
- Butternut Squash Soup: If you’re looking for a complete fall-themed meal, pair the salad with a creamy butternut squash soup.
- Apple Cider: A glass of crisp apple cider is the perfect autumnal beverage to accompany this salad.
- Grilled Cheese Croutons: For an extra touch of indulgence, topping the salad with mini grilled-cheese croutons adds both flavor and fun!
- Sparkling Water with Cranberry and Orange: A splash of festive flavor that will not overpower the salad.
Top Tips for Perfecting Harvest Cobb Salad:
Here are some tips to make your Harvest Cobb Salad even better:
- Roasting Time: The roasting time for the butternut squash may vary depending on your oven. The squash is ready when it’s fork-tender and slightly browned.
- Vinaigrette Flavor: The dressing really brings this salad together. If you can’t find pre-made honey-mustard, consider a maple-balsamic vinaigrette, or an apple cider vinaigrette.
- Ingredient Substitution: Feel free to substitute ingredients based on your preferences. For example, you can use goat cheese or feta instead of blue cheese or add dried cranberries for extra sweetness. The candied pecans can be substituted with walnuts or almonds.
- Prep Ahead: To save time, you can roast the butternut squash, cook the chicken or turkey, and hard-boil the eggs ahead of time. Store them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the salad.
- Spice Up The Nuts: A dusting of warming spices like cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, brown sugar can create added richness to the nuts used as toppers, add a dash of seasoning before toasting.
Storing and Reheating Tips:
- Storing Leftovers: It’s best to store the salad components separately until ready to serve. Store the lettuce, roasted butternut squash, chicken/turkey, eggs, cheese, pecans, and dressing in separate containers in the refrigerator.
- Refrigeration Time: The individual components can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: The roasted butternut squash can be reheated in the microwave or oven until warmed through. However, it’s best to serve the salad cold or at room temperature to maintain the freshness of the other ingredients.
- Freezing: Freezing this salad is not recommended, as the lettuce and other ingredients will become soggy upon thawing.
Final Thoughts:
This Harvest Cobb Salad is a fantastic way to celebrate the flavors of fall. It’s a customizable, nutritious, and delicious meal that’s perfect for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner. With its vibrant colors, textures, and flavors, it will be a sure-fire hit at your next gathering.
try also : Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe and find more in pinterest
Harvest Cobb Salad FAQs:
Can I make this salad vegetarian/vegan? Yes! Substitute the chicken or turkey with cooked chickpeas or lentils for a vegetarian version. To make it vegan, use a crumbled vegan cheese alternative and a maple syrup-based vinaigrette.
Can I use a different type of squash? Absolutely! Acorn squash or kabocha squash would work well in this salad.
How long does this salad last? Assembled, this salad is best eaten immediately to 30 minutes after. If you keep all the elements separate, each part can be good for 3 days inside the fridge. When ready to serve, grab portions of each part and assemble it.
Is it possible to use pre roasted squash and other pre cut ingredients to save time? Yes! Prepping at home will always ensure the freshness, control on seasoning and the absence of ingredients you are allergic too, however for ease of convenience and time many grocery stores already offer pre roasted squash and pre cut ingredients.