If you’re looking for a salad that combines vibrant colors, fresh textures, and a burst of sweet and tangy flavor, the Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is the perfect pick. This delightful dish beautifully balances crisp greens, roasted vegetables, creamy cheese, and smoky bacon, all tied together by a luscious poppy seed dressing that elevates every bite. Whether you’re serving it for lunch, dinner, or a festive gathering, this salad brings a harvest-inspired freshness that’s both satisfying and easy to love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Seasonal freshness: Combines crisp and roasted ingredients for a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.
Sweet and tangy dressing: The poppy seed dressing adds a unique fruity sweetness that pairs amazingly with savory components.
Colorful and inviting: A rainbow of ingredients makes this salad as beautiful as it is delicious.
Customizable: Flexible to accommodate different dietary preferences without sacrificing any flavor.
Simple preparation: Quick to assemble with accessible ingredients that make it perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This salad is a celebration of simple, fresh ingredients that work together to create a dazzling dish. Each component adds either crunch, creaminess, or a pop of flavor, contributing to a balanced and memorable meal.

Mixed greens: A base of crisp romaine, spinach, or spring mix adds freshness and crunch.
Roasted butternut squash: Sweet roasted cubes provide a warm, tender contrast.
Crispy bacon: Adds a smoky, savory crunch that complements the sweeter elements.
Hard-boiled eggs: Provides creaminess and protein to keep you full and satisfied.
Cherry tomatoes: Bursts of juiciness brighten every forkful.
Avocado slices: Bring a buttery, rich texture that balances the salad.
Crumbled blue cheese: Offers pungent, tangy notes that contrast beautifully with the sweet dressing.
Poppy seed dressing: The star of the show, made with honey, vinegar, and poppy seeds for a sweet and tangy glaze.
Chopped walnuts or pecans: Optional, but add a welcome crunch and nutty flavor.

Variations for Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Feel free to personalize this harvest-inspired salad to suit your tastes or dietary needs. It’s incredibly easy to adapt without losing the essence of what makes it so delightful.

Vegan swap: Replace bacon with smoked tempeh and use a vegan-friendly blue cheese alternative or omit cheese.
Grains added: Stir in cooked quinoa or farro to make it a more filling meal.
Different cheeses: Swap blue cheese for feta, goat cheese, or omit for a milder flavor.
Additional veggies: Add roasted beets, carrots, or sweet corn for extra color and nutrients.
Alternative nuts: Use almonds or pumpkin seeds in place of walnuts or pecans to suit your preference.

Why Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Is a Must-Try

How to Make Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Step 1: Roast the Butternut Squash

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel and cube the butternut squash, then toss it with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized around the edges. Let cool slightly before adding to the salad.

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

Whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and a generous sprinkle of poppy seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep chilled and ready to drizzle over your salad.

Step 3: Cook Bacon and Prepare Eggs

In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled. Meanwhile, hard-boil your eggs (about 9-12 minutes), cool them in ice water, peel, and slice or chop.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

Start with a bed of mixed greens on your serving platter or bowls. Arrange roasted squash, bacon, tomatoes, avocado slices, egg pieces, and crumbled blue cheese artfully over the top. Sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.

Step 5: Dress and Serve

Drizzle your homemade poppy seed dressing generously over the salad just before serving. Toss lightly if preferred or serve as a composed salad to showcase the colorful ingredients.

Pro Tips for Making Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Fresh greens matter: Use the freshest mixed greens for the best texture and flavor.
Roast squash evenly: Cut butternut squash into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
Bacon crispiness: Cook bacon until just crispy for that perfect crunch without dryness.
Dressing balance: Taste your dressing and adjust sweetness or acidity to match your preference.
Prep ahead: Roast and chop ingredients earlier in the day for quick afternoon assembly.

How to Serve Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Garnishes

Add fresh herbs like chopped parsley, chives, or thyme to give your salad a herbal brightness that complements the sweetness of the dressing and richness of the cheese.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with warm, crusty bread or a light soup, making for a balanced, satisfying meal perfect for any season.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this salad in mason jars for a stylish lunch option or arrange all the ingredients in distinct rows on a platter for a stunning, shareable centerpiece at your next gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover salad ingredients separate from the dressing in airtight containers in the fridge. Assemble and dress just before eating to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.

Freezing

This salad is best enjoyed fresh, so freezing is not recommended due to the texture changes in greens, avocado, and dressing after thawing.

Reheating

Warm roasted squash separately if desired, but avoid reheating the salad or dressing to keep the bright, crisp flavors intact.

FAQs

Can I make Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing dairy-free?

Absolutely! You can omit the blue cheese or substitute it with a dairy-free cheese alternative, and the salad will still be packed with flavor.

What nuts work best in this salad?

Walnuts and pecans complement the flavors well, but almonds or pumpkin seeds are great alternatives if you want a different crunch or nutty taste.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Yes, prepping ingredients like roasting squash, cooking bacon, and boiling eggs ahead of time makes assembling this salad quick and convenient throughout the week.

Can I use a store-bought dressing instead of making poppy seed dressing?

While homemade is ideal for freshness and flavor, a good-quality store-bought poppy seed dressing can work well in a pinch.

How can I make this salad more filling?

Add cooked grains like quinoa or farro, extra avocado, or chickpeas to boost protein and keep you satisfied longer.

Final Thoughts

From the vibrant mix of fresh and roasted ingredients to the irresistibly sweet and tangy poppy seed dressing, the Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a dish that invites you to savor every bite. It’s perfect for those who want a wholesome, colorful meal without fuss. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite salad to enjoy all year round!

Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Print Recipe

Harvest Cobb Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a vibrant and colorful salad featuring crisp mixed greens, sweet roasted butternut squash, smoky bacon, creamy hard-boiled eggs, juicy cherry tomatoes, buttery avocado slices, and tangy crumbled blue cheese. All ingredients are beautifully combined and enhanced with a luscious sweet and tangy homemade poppy seed dressing. This fresh, satisfying, and customizable salad is perfect for lunch, dinner, or festive gatherings and celebrates the best of seasonal produce with an easy-to-make method.

Author: Lina
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

4 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, or spring mix)
2 cups roasted butternut squash cubes (about 1 small squash)
6 slices crispy bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and sliced or chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Poppy Seed Dressing

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Roast the Butternut Squash: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel and cube the butternut squash into uniform pieces. Toss the cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized around the edges. Allow to cool slightly before adding to the salad.
Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and a generous sprinkle of poppy seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep the dressing chilled until ready to use.
Cook Bacon and Prepare Eggs: In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled. Meanwhile, boil eggs for 9-12 minutes until hard-boiled. Cool eggs in ice water, peel, then slice or chop.
Assemble the Salad: Arrange a bed of mixed greens on serving plates or a large platter. Neatly arrange roasted squash cubes, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, sliced eggs, and crumbled blue cheese on top. Sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.
Dress and Serve: Just before serving, drizzle the homemade poppy seed dressing generously over the salad. Toss lightly if preferred or serve composed to showcase the colorful layers.

Notes

Use the freshest mixed greens for best texture and flavor.
Cut butternut squash into uniform cubes to ensure even roasting.
Cook bacon until just crispy to maintain a perfect crunch without dryness.
Adjust dressing sweetness and acidity to your taste preference.
Prep ingredients like roasting squash and cooking bacon ahead for quick assembly.
Store leftover salad ingredients separately from the dressing to prevent sogginess.
Do not freeze the salad as greens, avocado, and dressing textures will be compromised.
Warm roasted squash separately if reheating; avoid reheating the full salad.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 salad bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 400
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 185mg

Keywords: Harvest salad, Cobb salad, poppy seed dressing, roasted butternut squash, bacon salad, fall salad, seasonal salad, healthy salad, gluten free salad, colorful salad