Harvest Cobb Salad Recipe

The Harvest Cobb Salad is a glorious celebration of sweet and savory fall flavors—all tossed together in a vibrant bowl that’s as pretty as it is delicious. Crisp apples and pears, toasted pecans, and creamy goat cheese join classic Cobb elements, while a silky poppy seed dressing ties every bite together.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Harvest Cobb Salad comes together with a handful of everyday ingredients, but each one shines, adding its own flavor, crunch, or creaminess. Don’t skimp—every element really does bring its magic to the final salad.

• Bacon: Crisp, salty bacon brings a classic Cobb touch and amps up the savory decadence.
• Eggs: Hard-boiled and diced for extra creaminess and satisfying protein.
• Romaine lettuce: The crisp, sturdy base that holds up to all the hearty toppings—go for freshly chopped!
• Apple: Choose a firm, sweet-tart apple (like Honeycrisp or Fuji) for juicy crunch and bright flavor.
• Pear: Adds mellow sweetness and soft texture—ripe but still slightly firm works best.
• Pecan halves: Toasted pecans are autumn’s best crunchy accent; use Fisher Nuts for the freshest flavor.
• Dried cranberries: Bursts of tangy sweetness that complement the fruits and balance the bacon.
• Goat cheese: Creamy, tangy crumbles that melt beautifully over the warm bacon and eggs.
• Mayonnaise, milk, sugar, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds: Pantry staples come together for the most luscious, tangy-sweet poppy seed dressing—homemade in minutes.

Variations

One of the best things about this Harvest Cobb Salad is how easy it is to make your own. Swap, double, or leave out whatever you like—this versatile salad is ready for any taste, season, or special diet.

• Chicken on Top: Add grilled or shredded roasted chicken to turn your salad into a hearty meal-worthy main course!
• Vegan Harvest Cobb Salad: Leave out the bacon, use plant-based cheese, and sub in chickpeas or roasted sweet potato cubes for a satisfying plant-based version.
• Nut-Free: Swap pecans for toasted seeds (like pumpkin seeds) if you’re feeding someone with allergies—extra crunch, no worries.
• Swap Your Cheese: Blue cheese, feta, or aged cheddar all work well if goat cheese isn’t your favorite—don’t be afraid to experiment.

How to Make Harvest Cobb Salad

Step 1: Make the Poppy Seed Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and poppy seeds. This creamy dressing is sweet, tangy, and full of character—homemade makes all the difference. Pop it in the fridge to chill while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Crisp the Bacon

Dice up your bacon and cook it in a skillet over medium-high heat. You want every piece browned, crisp, and irresistible—this usually takes about 6–8 minutes. Once it’s perfectly golden, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess fat.

Step 3: Hard Boil & Dice the Eggs

Add eggs to a saucepan and cover with water by an inch. Bring to a boil, cook just a minute, then cover and set aside (off heat) for 8–10 minutes. Drain, cool, then peel and dice—this gentle method gives you perfect, tender eggs every time.*

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

Start with a generous bed of romaine in a large serving bowl or on a platter. Arrange the bacon, eggs, apple, pear, pecans, cranberries, and goat cheese in elegant rows across the top—this is your moment to show off those colors and textures!

Step 5: Dress and Serve

Right before serving, give everything a good drizzle of your homemade poppy seed dressing (or offer it on the side so guests can add their own). Toss if you like, or let everyone scoop their dream bite—every layer is bursting with fall flavor.

How to Serve Harvest Cobb Salad

Garnishes

Add a flurry of extra goat cheese crumbles, a handful of chopped fresh herbs (think parsley or chives), or a sprinkle of more pecans for color and flair. If you want a dramatic finish, a grind of black pepper on top makes the layers really pop.

Side Dishes

This Harvest Cobb Salad is bursting with flavor, so pair it with fluffy dinner rolls, crusty baguette, or a warm, buttery cornbread. For a full meal, it plays well with simple roasted chicken or a pot of butternut squash soup on chilly evenings.

Creative Ways to Present

Let guests build their own Harvest Cobb Salad at a DIY salad bar, assemble individual layering jars for picnic-style meals, or serve on a grand platter with the toppings standing proudly in stripes—almost too pretty to eat (almost!).

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Harvest Cobb Salad in an airtight container in the fridge, keeping the dressing on the side if possible. The greens and toppings will stay fresh and crisp for up to 2 days—just note the apples and pears may soften a bit.

Freezing

Salad greens and fresh fruit don’t freeze well, and the creamy dressing may separate after thawing, so freezing the assembled Harvest Cobb Salad isn’t recommended. If you want to get ahead, prep and freeze just the cooked bacon and pecans—then assemble fresh!

Reheating

Since this salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, you don’t need to reheat it—just give any refrigerated leftovers a gentle toss and enjoy! If you prefer warm bacon or nuts, you can briefly re-crisp them in a skillet before adding.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to fall in love with salad all over again, give this Harvest Cobb Salad a try. It’s a showstopper for gatherings yet simple enough for busy weeknights—fresh, wholesome, and always impressive. Dig in and savor every bold, autumnal bite!

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