Fall Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

Embrace the flavors of fall with this cranberry vinaigrette disc salad. The tangy homemade dressing and customizable toppings bring a seasonal twist to your table, making it a cozy and refreshing choice for autumn gatherings or everyday meals.

Disc Salad

Cranberry Vinaigrette

Why You'll Love This Fall Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette

• Make-Ahead Friendly: The vinaigrette can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge, allowing for easy meal prep

• Customizable: You can easily add or substitute ingredients like different cheeses or proteins to suit your preferences

• Family-Friendly: The fresh flavors and bacon make it appealing for both kids and adults, ensuring everyone loves it

• Low-Carb Option: With the right cheese choice, it can be a satisfying low-carb meal or side.

• Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable, everyday ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.

• Minimal Cooking Required: Aside from cooking the bacon, there’s no intensive cooking, making it quick and hassle-free.

  
  

Cooking Tips & Tricks

• Blend Vinaigrette Smoothly: Use a high-speed blender to achieve a smooth texture for the vinaigrette, but a bit of texture is fine if you prefer

• Crispy Bacon: Cook the bacon over medium heat to get it crispy without burning, and drain on paper towels to remove excess grease

• Chill the Vinaigrette: Allow the vinaigrette to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to help the flavors develop

• Lettuce Preparation: When cutting the iceberg lettuce into discs, ensure the pieces are even for a consistent presentation and easy topping application

• Adjust Dressing Consistency: If the vinaigrette is too thick, add a bit of water or more olive oil until it reaches your desired consistency

Fall Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette Recipe

Prep Time: 15 mins. | Cook Time: 15 mins. | Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

Cranberry Vinaigrette

• 1/4 c. dried cranberries

• 1/3 c. mild olive oil

• 3 T. red wine vinegar

• 1 T. lemon juice

• 1 T. Dijon mustard

• 2 tsp. sea salt

• 2 T. sugar or honey, to taste

Disc Salad

• 4 slices of bacon (crumbled)

• 1 ½ c. grape tomatoes, cut in half

• 2 heads iceberg lettuce

• Blue cheese or Feta crumbles  

  
  

Let's Get Started!

1. Cranberry vinaigrette:  Blend all ingredients together until the color is a vibrant pink and smooth. A little texture in the liquid is fine, also make sure to taste it and make sugar or salt adjustments according to your taste preferences. Add a little water if you prefer a thinner dressing.

2. Pour dressing into a bottle or jar and refrigerate.  Shake before dressing your salad.

3. Disc salad:  Cook bacon in a medium skillet over a medium heat until crispy.  Then set aside.

4. Cut cherry tomatoes in half.

5. Slice lettuce crosswise into (eight) one-inch discs.

6. Place lettuce discs on a plate, top with bacon, tomatoes, cheese and other toppings of choice.  Drizzle with dressing.

Jazz It Up!

• Add Protein: Include grilled chicken or shrimp for a more filling, protein-packed salad

• Cheese Swap: Use goat cheese or mozzarella instead of blue cheese or feta for a milder, creamy flavor

• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts on top for added texture and flavor.

• Extra Veggies: Include cucumber slices, bell peppers, or red onions to enhance the salad's freshness and add more crunch.