Autumn Apple, Bacon, Cheddar Salad

As the weather cools down, it's the perfect time to bring those cozy fall flavors into your meals—starting with this autumn apple, bacon, and cheddar salad! 🍂🍏 With crisp Honeycrisp apples, sweet pecans, smoky maple bacon, and creamy white cheddar, this salad strikes the perfect balance between sweet, savory, and satisfying. It’s full of texture and flavor, from the crunchy glazed pecans to tender grilled chicken (if you choose to add it), all tossed with a tangy shallot apple cider dressing.

This salad isn’t just about fueling your body; it’s about enjoying the experience of eating, listening to what sounds good as the seasons change, and embracing food freedom (Because lets be real, old me, or maybe current you 👀, would have been terrified to use cane sugar and not honey or something to sweeten the dressing). But, with intuitive eating, you can relish the rich flavors of fall and trust your body to guide you toward what feels nourishing without the side of food guilt.

Gather Your Ingredients

Yields 2 salads

• 4 cups spring mix w/ spinach

• 1 cup apple, cubbed. I like Honeycrisp

• 1/2 cup glazed pecans

• 1/2 cup White cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup maple bacon, crumbled or chopped (regular bacon works, too)

• 2 cups grilled, seasoned chicken (1 chicken breast), optional

• Apple Cider Dressing yields ~ 1/2 cup of dressing or 8 Tbsp (yields enough for 4-8 salads, depending on how much dressing you use)

  • 4 tsp apple cider (apple juice works, too)

  • 1 1/4 tsp apple cider vinegar

  • 1/2 small shallot, chopped

  • 1 heaping Tbsp sugar

  • 1/8 tsp salt

  • 2 pinches of celery seed

  • 1/4 cup Mayo

Directions

1. If doing fresh maple or regular bacon, cook per package instructions. Otherwise, regular quality bacon bits or microwaved bacon will work fine.

2. If doing fresh, grilled chicken, preheat the grill to about 400 degrees F, butterfly the chicken, and season to taste. Grill chicken on each side for 3-4 minutes, until cooked through then chop into bite-sized peices. I like to add the chicken if this salad is meant as an entree.

3. Make the dressing; Combine apple cider, apple cider vinegar, shallot, sugar, and salt to a blender and blend until smooth. Wisk in mayo and celery seed.

4. Build a salad:

   1. Toss 2 cups of leafy greens in 1 Tbsp of dressing. These leaves are delicate and I find only 1 Tbsp needed, though there will be extra dressing should you need it per preference.

   2. Add coated leaves to the plate and layer a 1/4 cup cheese, 1/2 cup cubed apple, 1/4 cup bacon, 1/4 cup pecans, and optional 1/2 cup chopped chicken on top. Enjoy!

The beauty of this autumn apple, bacon, and cheddar salad is how it brings together indulgent flavors with nourishing ingredients, all while honoring your hunger and cravings. It’s a perfect example of how intuitive eating allows you to enjoy delicious, satisfying meals without restriction or guilt. So, whether you’re savoring it as a hearty lunch or a cozy dinner, remember that food is meant to be both nutritious and enjoyable. Embrace the fall vibes and trust your body—it knows what it needs! 🍂