27 Best Salads to Make in October
These fall salads will help you make the most of October’s fresh, seasonal produce while adding flavor, nutrition, and variety to your meals. Enjoy the richness of fall in every bite!
October brings a bounty of fresh, vibrant produce perfect for hearty, flavorful salads. The fruits and vegetables that shine this month—like sweet potatoes, apples, pears, brussels sprouts and butternut squash—are at their peak, making them not only the most delicious but also the most affordable
The beautiful few weeks when summer slowly drifts into fall might just be my favorite time of year to for salads. Why? Beyond being the start of sweater weather, it’s because what’s in season in October is a cornucopia of both summer and fall’s best offerings, including late-season berries, stone fruit, and tomatoes and early winter squash and prime time corn. Does anyone else notice their stomach growling?!
- What fruits and vegetables are in season in October?
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27 Seasonal Salads to Make in October
- Sweet Potato, Cranberry and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing
- Vegan Fall Salad with Creamy Mustard Tahini Dressing
- Heirloom Tomato and Basil Salad
- Montreal Steak and Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
- Spinach, Egg and Bacon Salad with Red Wine Vinegar Dressing
- Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Salad Dressing
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Chickpeas
- Pear Salad with Gorgonzola Dressing
- Pomegranate and Apple Salad Recipe
- Apple and Wild Rice Salad
- Apple and Goat Cheese Salad
- Quick and Easy Kale and Apple Salad
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Roasted Pear Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe
- Mixed Berry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Bacon and Almonds
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
- Thanksgiving Butternut Squash and Lentil Salad
- Roasted Vegetable Salad
- Harvest Quinoa Salad
- Autumn Harvest Quinoa Power Bowl
- Easy Creamy Coleslaw with Grapes
- Ambrosia Salad without Coconut
- Apple Cabbage Coleslaw
- Classic Waldorf Salad
- Sonoma Chicken Salad
What fruits and vegetables are in season in October?
In October, fall produce is at its peak, offering a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that are fresh, flavorful, and affordable.
Here’s a list of some fruits and vegetables that are in season during October:
Fruits:
- Apples – Crisp and sweet, apples are at their best in October.
- Pears – Juicy and flavorful, perfect for salads and desserts.
- Pomegranates – Add a burst of color and sweetness to any dish.
- Cranberries – Typically harvested in the fall, great for salads, sauces, and baking.
- Grapes – Sweet, juicy, and versatile, they’re still in season during early October.
- Figs – Often available in early fall, great for salads or as a sweet snack.
- Persimmons – A unique fall fruit with a honey-like sweetness.
- Plums – Though their peak is in summer, you can still find some varieties in October.
- Quinces – An old-fashioned fruit that’s perfect for baking and making jams.
- Oranges – Some varieties start to become available in late October.
Vegetables:
- Sweet Potatoes – A fall favorite, sweet and versatile.
- Butternut Squash – Rich in flavor and perfect for roasting or soups.
- Pumpkins – Great for both savory and sweet dishes.
- Brussels Sprouts – Best when harvested after the first frost, adding crispness to any dish.
- Cauliflower – Available year-round, but especially good in the fall.
- Kale – Its flavor improves with cooler weather, making it perfect for fall.
- Cabbage – A hearty vegetable that’s ideal for slaws and soups.
- Broccoli – Crisp and full of flavor in cooler months.
- Carrots – Sweet and crunchy, carrots are great for roasting or eating raw.
- Beets – Earthy and sweet, perfect for roasting or adding to salads.
- Radishes – A crisp and spicy addition to fall salads.
- Leeks – Mild, onion-like flavor, great in soups and stews.
- Turnips – Sweet and slightly peppery, excellent for roasting.
- Parsnips – A root vegetable that becomes sweeter after a frost.
- Spinach – This leafy green thrives in cooler weather.
- Arugula – Its peppery flavor makes it great for fall salads.
- Swiss Chard – A versatile green, perfect for sautés and salads.
- Mushrooms – Fall is the best time for many wild varieties like chanterelles and porcini.
These fresh fruits and vegetables make October the perfect time to create rich, hearty salads!
27 Seasonal Salads to Make in October
Below I'm sharing a bounty of fall recipe options to put the fruits and veggies that are at their freshest and most affordable in October to work in salads for yourself, your family, or fall gatherings such as Canadian Thanksgiving.
This dinner salad isn't just a meal—it's an experience. It's a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary. So, whether you're enjoying it as a solo supper or sharing it with loved ones, this Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing is sure to elevate any dinner table and leave you feeling nourished, satisfied, and utterly delighted.
This Vegan Fall Salad with Creamy Mustard Tahini Dressing is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, yet light enough to leave you feeling energized. Whether you make this salad for lunch or dinner, this salad is a delicious and easy way to enjoy the best flavors of fall.
This fresh and vibrant salad showcases the natural sweetness of heirloom tomatoes paired with the aromatic essence of basil. It's a perfect dish for a light lunch or as a side to complement your favorite summer meals.
A high protein salad with a simple, homemade honey mustard dressing that takes just minutes to make using pantry staples you likely already have on hand! Your fork is waiting.
Crisp baby spinach leaves, creamy hard-boiled eggs, savory bacon crumbles, and tangy red onion come together in perfect harmony, topped with a drizzle of homemade red wine vinegar dressing. It’s a satisfying salad that’s as easy to make as it is delicious to eat!
This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Chickpeas is a hearty and nutritious option that’s easy to make and perfect for any meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a light dinner, this salad is sure to satisfy your cravings and keep you feeling great. Enjoy!
All the textures inside this Pear Salad with Gorgonzola Dressing are incredible. Pear slices, honey roasted pecans, pomegranate seeds, red onion, leftover turkey and the gorgonzola dressing makes it over the top delicious!
This flavorful Pomegranate and Apple Salad is full of fresh seasonal ingredients that are packed with antioxidants. This pomegranate salad recipe is crunchy, easy to make, and super festive! This salad is a perfect side dish for the fall season!
This Apple and Wild Rice Salad is an easy and scrumptious make ahead fall side dish that tastes like Thanksgiving.
This delicious green salad with apple and goat cheese is filled with flavor from apples, raisins, goat cheese, and toasted walnuts. It’s easy to make in under 30 minutes for an easy weeknight side dish your whole family will love.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a delightful blend of tender diced chicken, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and crisp celery, all mixed in a creamy dressing with a hint of honey and Dijon mustard. This refreshing salad offers a perfect harmony of flavors and textures, making it a versatile and satisfying dish for any occasion.
This Roasted Pear Salad is a deliciously hearty option for lunch or dinner. It’s quick to make, healthy, and bursting with sweet and savory flavors that’ll leave you craving more! Plus, it’s so versatile—you can dress it up or keep it simple, and it always turns out delicious.
A blend of four delicious fruits: Wild Blueberries, Strawberries, Red Raspberries and Blackberries. Bursting with flavor, this mixed berry vinaigrette salad dressing is the perfect topper for your summer salad.
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Bacon and Almonds is filled with fresh broccoli florets, crunchy cauliflower, almonds and red onions, tender bacon pieces and slivered carrots - a flavourful, colourful, healthy, and ideal salad for a BBQ or a picnic.
This Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with cranberries is an easy to make Christmas salad with shredded fresh Brussels sprouts, toasted pecans, cranberries and a zippy vinaigrette. It’s also naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so that everyone at the table can enjoy it.
This Butternut Squash Salad is the perfect fall salad for holidays and parties. Full of flavor and beautiful colors! Drizzled with the most incredible apple cider vinaigrette dressing, and topped with toasted walnuts and cranberries, your friends and family will love this vegetarian fall salad.
If ever a Thanksgiving salad could be cozy and comforting it would be this butternut squash and lentil spinach salad with roasted butternut squash, red onion, lentils, raisins and toasted pecans.
This roasted vegetable salad is a colourful and flavourful fall or winter salad that works equally well as a vegetarian main course or a hearty side dish.
This Harvest Quinoa Salad is a delightful mix of texture and flavors of autumn and fall. Made with roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, red apple, spinach, sunflower seeds, protein-rich quinoa, and an apple cider vinaigrette, this gluten-free, plant-based recipe is a show-stopper!
Indulge in autumn's bounty with this Autumn Harvest Quinoa Power Bowl featuring roasted veggies, protein-packed quinoa, and a sweet maple balsamic dressing—a delicious and nutritious seasonal delight!
This is simply the Best Ever Creamy Coleslaw with Grapes recipe! This easy homemade creamy coleslaw recipe is much lighter on the dressing and is significantly tastier than store-bought because of the grapes, sunflower seeds and almonds. This unique coleslaw is a great summer BBQ side dish for your summer picnic!!
Everyone will enjoy this healthy coleslaw recipe!
Enjoy a tropical twist with this Ambrosia Salad without Coconut – a creamy, fruity delight perfect for any occasion. No coconut, all flavor!
This slaw is like a crisp fall breeze, a burst of colors in the midst of autumn leaves, and the perfect sidekick for your seasonal gatherings. Whether you're cozying up at home or sharing a dish at a potluck, this Fall Apple Slaw brings a zest for life that's as bright as the fall foliage.
This classic Waldorf Salad is full of fresh, crispy, apples, celery, grapes and walnuts with a creamy mayonnaise dressing served over a bed of lettuce. Serve it as a side dish or appetizer at Christmas or Thanksgiving. You can easily add chicken or turkey to make it a complete meal!
This fresh and flavorful chicken salad combines tender chicken, sweet grapes, and crunchy pecans, all tossed in a creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a picnic, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
These salads will help you make the most of October’s fresh, seasonal produce while adding flavor, nutrition, and variety to your meals. Enjoy the richness of fall in every bite!
