If you’re craving a salad that tastes like autumn in every single bite, you have to try this Harvest Cobb Salad. It’s a crunchy, colorful blend of crisp apples, juicy pears, smoky bacon, and creamy goat cheese, all draped in a sweet homemade poppy seed dressing—it’s the perfect celebration of fall flavors in salad form!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Fall Flavors: Every forkful brings together sweet apples, juicy pears, and tart cranberries for an autumn-inspired spin on classic Cobb salad.
- Texture Heaven: Crispy bacon, crunchy pecans, creamy goat cheese, and crisp lettuce mean this salad is never boring.
- Easy & Satisfying Meal: Hearty enough for lunch or dinner but easy to prep—you get a crowd-pleasing, balanced meal in just 30 minutes!
- Show-Stopping Presentation: The gorgeous rows of colorful toppings always wow guests (and make leftovers look just as tempting).
Ingredients You’ll Need
Part of the charm of Harvest Cobb Salad is how its simple ingredients come together for a salad that’s loaded with flavor, color, and crunch. Each ingredient offers something special—so let’s take a quick look at what makes every component shine!
- Bacon: Adds smoky, salty depth and irresistible crispness to bring savory balance to the sweetness of fruit.
- Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs add satisfying protein and an ultra-creamy texture to every bite.
- Romaine Lettuce: Fresh, sturdy, and crisp—the perfect base for supporting all those hearty toppings without wilting.
- Apple: Choose your favorite crunchy variety (think Honeycrisp or Gala) for juicy texture and a sweet-tart punch.
- Pear: Pear brings mellow sweetness and melts-in-your-mouth bites that contrast the apple nicely.
- Pecan Halves: Toasted pecans add buttery richness and just the right gentle crunch.
- Dried Cranberries: Little pops of tart, chewy fruitiness—think of them as fall’s version of jewel-like candy in a salad.
- Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy, and a beautiful complement to fruit and bacon; feta works in a pinch.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the dreamy homemade poppy seed dressing.
- Milk: Thins out the dressing just enough for perfect drizzle-ability.
- Sugar: Balances the tang in the dressing and highlights the salad’s fruity notes.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash brings brightness to the dressing and echoes the fall apple flavor.
- Poppy Seeds: Classic in savory-sweet dressings, they add a subtle crunch and make the dressing feel extra special.
Variations
The beauty of this Harvest Cobb Salad is just how adaptable it is. You can easily swap in your favorite ingredients, switch up the protein, or create a version that fits your dietary needs—there are options for everyone!
- Make it Vegetarian: Skip the bacon or use crispy roasted chickpeas instead for a meat-free protein boost.
- Switch the Cheese: Not a goat cheese fan? Crumbled blue cheese, sharp cheddar, or feta all work beautifully here.
- Swap in Walnuts or Almonds: Exchange pecans for toasted walnuts or sliced almonds for a different nutty flavor and crunch.
- Add Grilled Chicken or Turkey: For an extra hearty main-course salad, top with sliced grilled chicken or leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
- Use Mixed Greens: Combine baby spinach, arugula, or mixed greens for extra color and a variety of textures.
How to Make Harvest Cobb Salad
Step 1: Whisk Up the Poppy Seed Dressing
Start by making the poppy seed dressing: in a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and those beautiful poppy seeds until smooth and creamy. Don’t be tempted to skip homemade—it’s so much fresher than store-bought and takes just five minutes!
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
Heat a large skillet over medium-high, toss in your diced bacon, and cook until golden and delightfully crisp (about 6–8 minutes). Once done, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. The bacon gets super crunchy as it cools and makes for irresistible salad topping.
Step 3: Hard-Boil and Chop the Eggs
Place eggs in a saucepan, cover with cold water by an inch, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover tightly, and let sit for 8–10 minutes. Drain, cool, and peel for perfect, jammy-yolk eggs that chop easily without crumbling.
Step 4: Assemble the Harvest Cobb Salad
Layer the chopped romaine in a big serving bowl or spread out on a platter. Now—the fun part! Arrange rows of bacon, eggs, apples, pears, pecans, cranberries, and crumbled goat cheese over the greens. This not only looks gorgeous but lets everyone scoop up every topping they love most.
Step 5: Serve with Dressing
Drizzle the poppy seed dressing generously over your Harvest Cobb Salad just before serving, or let everyone add their own to taste. Now dig in and savor those sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy flavors in every bite!
Pro Tips for Making Harvest Cobb Salad
- Egg Timing Magic: For slices with creamy golden yolks, be sure to remove eggs from hot water at 8 minutes for just-set centers—no chalkiness!
- Crisp Up the Bacon: Let your cooked bacon drain on a wire rack instead of paper towels if you want maximum crunch and zero sogginess.
- Chop Apples & Pears Last: Dice your fruit just before serving, and toss in a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep it from browning before adding to the Harvest Cobb Salad.
- Toasted Pecans Perfection: Lightly toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes. The aroma and flavor will make your salad taste even more special!
How to Serve Harvest Cobb Salad
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, scatter a few extra pecan halves and a handful of additional dried cranberries over the top. If you want big flavor, a pinch of flaky sea salt or a little extra crumbled goat cheese can take your Harvest Cobb Salad straight to gourmet status.
Side Dishes
This salad is hearty enough to stand alone, but pairs wonderfully with warm, crusty bread or homemade soup—think butternut squash or creamy tomato for the full autumnal effect. If you’re serving the Harvest Cobb Salad at a gathering, it also makes a festive side for roast chicken or turkey.
Creative Ways to Present
Make it a showstopper by serving the salad on a large platter with the toppings fanned out in perfect rows—everyone loves “Instagram-worthy” stripes! For parties, layer the salad in clear mason jars or small tumblers for fun, portable single servings of Harvest Cobb Salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the undressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the greens from wilting and the bacon from losing its crunch. Chop apples and pears right before eating to guarantee the freshest taste and color.
Freezing
Because Harvest Cobb Salad features fresh lettuce, fruit, and cheese, it’s not suitable for freezing. The ingredients lose their texture and turn watery once thawed, so enjoy this gorgeous salad fresh whenever possible!
Reheating
Salad leftovers don’t need reheating, but if you want to revive chilled bacon, a few seconds in the microwave or a quick sauté in the skillet will bring back its irresistible crispness before topping the Harvest Cobb Salad again.
FAQs
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Can I make the poppy seed dressing in advance?
Absolutely! You can whisk up the poppy seed dressing up to 3 days ahead. Store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and give it a good shake before serving—so easy and convenient for busy days.
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What’s the best way to keep apples and pears from browning?
Toss diced apples and pears with a splash of lemon juice right after cutting to prevent browning. Or, chop them just before adding to your Harvest Cobb Salad for the crispest, most colorful results.
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Is there a substitute for goat cheese?
If you’re not a fan of goat cheese, feta or blue cheese provide a similar creamy, tangy richness. For a milder flavor, shredded sharp cheddar also works beautifully in this Harvest Cobb Salad.
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Can I make Harvest Cobb Salad ahead for a party?
Yes! Layer everything but the fruit and dressing, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Add diced apples and pears plus the dressing just before serving for the freshest texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as smitten with this Harvest Cobb Salad as I am—whether it’s a cozy weeknight meal, a festive holiday side, or your new go-to lunch! With vibrant flavors and gorgeous textures, it’s a dish that truly brings everyone to the table. Give it a try and let your autumn taste buds celebrate!
Print
Harvest Cobb Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Harvest Cobb Salad is a delightful mix of crispy bacon, boiled eggs, fresh fruits like apples and pears, crunchy pecans, sweet cranberries, and creamy goat cheese, all drizzled with a homemade poppy seed dressing.
Ingredients
Bacon:
- 4 slices bacon, diced
Eggs:
- 2 large eggs
Salad:
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 apple, diced
- 1 pear, diced
- 1/2 cup Fisher Nuts Pecan Halves
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
Poppy Seed Dressing:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Make the poppy seed dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, milk, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and poppy seeds in a small bowl; set aside.
- Cook the bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.
- Prepare the eggs: Place eggs in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, bring to a boil, and cook for 1 minute. Cover with a lid, remove from heat, and let sit for 8-10 minutes. Drain, cool, peel, and dice.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, place romaine lettuce and top with arranged rows of bacon, eggs, apple, pear, pecans, cranberries, and goat cheese.
- Serve: Immediately serve the salad with the prepared poppy seed dressing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
