Winter is a season that often brings to mind cozy comfort foods and hearty dishes. But who says salads can't be a part of your winter menu too? In fact, winter salads can be just as delicious and satisfying as any other dish. Packed with seasonal ingredients and bursting with flavors, these salads are a refreshing addition to your winter table.
Whether you're looking for a light side dish or a wholesome meal on its own, we've got you covered with some of the best winter salad recipes. So, let's dive in and discover the perfect balance of freshness, crunch, and warmth that these salads have to offer!
1. Winter Salad
The Winter Salad is a hearty and delicious combination of finely chopped kale, spring salad mix, shredded cabbage, carrots, diced apples, candied pecans, crumbled goat cheese, and pomegranate arils.
The tangy homemade vinaigrette adds a tart finish to this rich and earthy salad. It's a perfect blend of textures and flavors, making it a great option for a meal starter or appetizer. Customize it with your favorite fruits, veggies, or proteins for a salad you'll truly love.
2. Festive Winter Salad
The Festive Winter Salad is a holiday-inspired recipe with addictive flavors and a citrus sweet and tangy dressing. It features romaine lettuce, pomegranate seeds, julienned pear, roasted nuts, and optional ricotta cheese. The vinaigrette dressing includes orange juice and zest, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
This salad can be prepared in just 15 minutes or with shortcuts, in only 5 minutes. It is a refreshing addition to any holiday menu, with the option to serve it as an appetizer in lettuce cups or as a wreath-shaped salad on a platter.
3. Winter Garden Salad
The Winter Garden Salad is a delightful combination of crunchy, fresh, and savory flavors. With ingredients like candied pecans, crunchy chickpeas, artisan greens, rosemary Marcona almonds, apple slices, honey goat cheese, and marinated onions, this salad hits all the right notes.
The Honey Citrus dressing adds a tangy and subtly sweet touch. It's a versatile salad that can be made ahead and is perfect for large gatherings. Overall, it's a satisfying and delicious winter salad option.
4. Chopped Winter Salad
Chopped Winter Salad is a vibrant and crunchy salad made with apples, celery, radishes, and carrots. It's a colorful and refreshing addition to any winter meal or holiday feast.
The combination of cold-weather veggies and a tangy apple cider vinaigrette creates a delightful balance of flavors. This salad can be customized with your favorite seasonal ingredients and is perfect as a side dish or a light meal.
5. Pear Salad with Balsamic & Walnuts
Pear Salad with Balsamic & Walnuts is a delightful winter salad that combines mixed greens, sliced pears, and paper-thin fennel. Topped with dried cranberries, chopped pecans, walnuts, and shaved pecorino, this salad offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette and seasoned with salt and pepper, it is a simple yet elegant dish that can be enjoyed as a side or a light lunch.
6. Winter Salad with Pomegranate and Pears
The Winter Salad with Pomegranate and Pears is a stunning and delicious salad that features a combination of winter's stars – pomegranates, pears, and oranges.
The salad is filled with fresh greens, walnuts, and feta cheese, and is finished off with a honey dressing that adds a burst of bright flavor. It's the perfect side dish for a holiday dinner and a great way to enjoy winter citrus fruit.
7. Winter Fruit Salad
Winter Fruit Salad is a delightful and refreshing salad that is perfect for the winter season. Bursting with a variety of seasonal fruits, including apples, pears, bananas, kiwis, pomegranate arils, dried cranberries, and mandarin oranges, this salad offers a symphony of flavors and textures.
The Honey Lime Poppy Seed Dressing adds a sweet and tangy touch, making this salad a delicious and nutritious option for breakfast, a side dish, or a healthy snack. With its vibrant colors and irresistible taste, Winter Fruit Salad is a must-try recipe for any occasion.
8. Winter Salad with Root Vegetables
Winter Salad with Root Vegetables is a stunning and versatile recipe that transforms inexpensive root vegetables into a flavorful and hearty dish. The roasted carrots, onions, beetroots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes bring out their natural sweetness and create a delicious texture.
Served with fresh arugula, roasted chickpeas, and a tangy vinaigrette, this salad is not only easy to make but also economical and healthy. It can be customized with add-ins such as whole grains, nuts and seeds, and cheese. Perfect for any occasion, this winter salad is a must-try for those looking for a delicious and nutritious dish.
9. Roasted Vegetable Winter Salad
The Roasted Vegetable Winter Salad is a hearty and satisfying salad perfect for cold winter days. Loaded with roasted root vegetables, crispy greens, and topped with your favorite cheese, this vegetarian salad is a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of the season.
The combination of caramelized butternut squash, potatoes, carrots, and parsnips creates a creamy and flavorful base, while the balsamic vinegar dressing adds a touch of sweetness. Whether served as a side dish or a light lunch, this warm salad is a comforting and nutritious option for winter meals.
10. Winter Slaw
Winter Slaw is a refreshing and vibrant salad loaded with seasonal produce. The combination of thinly sliced cabbage, kale, pears, shallots, shredded carrots, pomegranate arils, pepitas, and toasted walnuts or pecans creates a satisfying crunch and texture.
The citrus vinaigrette adds a burst of flavor that complements the ingredients perfectly. This versatile salad can be enjoyed as a side dish, salad, or sandwich topping. It's a must-try for those looking for a colorful and delicious winter salad option.
11. Winter Citrus Salad
The Winter Citrus Salad is a stunning side dish that is bursting with flavor. It combines a blend of bright, juicy citrus fruits with salad greens, fresh mint, and crunchy fennel.
The Poppy Seed Vinaigrette adds a delightful touch. This salad is the perfect antidote to heavy winter dishes and a great way to enjoy the sweet and juicy oranges and grapefruits of the season.
12. Winter Vegetable Salad
Winter Vegetable Salad is a healthy and flavorful option for a cold winter night or a festive holiday side dish. Packed with roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and beets, it offers a burst of colors and flavors.
The addition of toasted pecans and dried cranberries adds a delightful crunch and sweetness. This vegetarian and gluten-free salad is a unique and vibrant addition to any holiday menu.
13. Pomegranate and Feta Winter Salad
The Pomegranate and Feta Winter Salad is a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy ingredients.
With the addition of pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, slivered almonds, and a tangy lemon honey dressing, this salad offers a burst of flavors that come together harmoniously. It is the perfect choice for those who claim they don't like salads, as it is sure to change their minds.
14. Roasted Vegetable Salad
The Roasted Vegetable Salad is a colorful and flavorful winter salad that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. Filled with roasted vegetables, baby spinach, and topped with crumbled feta cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing, this salad is a delicious and satisfying option for the colder months.
The combination of roasted veggies and fresh spinach creates a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Overall, the Roasted Vegetable Salad is a must-try recipe for those looking for a hearty and nutritious winter salad option.
15. Christmas Salad
Christmas Salad is a delightful winter salad that combines fresh spring greens with sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges, and pomegranate arils. The tangy Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette adds a burst of flavor to this colorful and festive dish.
It pairs well with a variety of main courses and offers the option to customize with different nuts and fruits. Overall, Christmas Salad is a quick and delicious addition to any holiday menu.
16. Kale Quinoa Salad with Apples and Chickpeas
The Kale Quinoa Salad with Apples and Chickpeas is a hearty and delicious winter salad that is perfect for potlucks, gatherings, and midweek lunches. Packed with healthy nutrients, it features lacinato kale, crisp apples, chickpeas, quinoa, and dried currants.
The kale is tenderized with olive oil and salt, making it more enjoyable to eat raw. The salad can be made ahead and holds up well in the fridge for several days. Overall, it's a satisfying vegan salad that is easy to prepare and full of flavor.
17. Pomegranate Salad
This Pomegranate Salad is a winner for the winter season! Packed with a mix of greens, juicy pomegranate seeds, sliced pear, candied pecans, and shaved parmesan cheese, it offers a burst of flavors and textures.
The homemade champagne vinaigrette adds a creamy and delicious touch. Perfect for any meal, this salad is a must-try for both pomegranate lovers and skeptics.
18. Spinach and Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
The Spinach and Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing is a refreshing and healthy winter salad. It combines baby spinach with a variety of fruits including apples, pears, mandarin oranges, kiwi fruit, dried cranberries, and pomegranate seeds.
The dressing, made with maple syrup, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, adds a delicious touch. This salad is a colorful and nutritious option for the holiday season.
19. Citrus Salad with Fennel & Avocado
The Citrus Salad with Fennel & Avocado is a refreshing and flavorful winter salad. The combination of citrus fruits, roasted fennel, radicchio, avocado, and shaved pecorino creates a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors.
The addition of pine nuts and fresh mint adds a delightful crunch and freshness to the salad. The zingy lemon dressing ties all the ingredients together, making it a light and satisfying dish. Overall, this citrus salad is a great choice to brighten up any winter day.
20. Salad de Maison
Salad de Maison is a delicious winter salad that combines fresh romaine lettuce, two types of cheese, flavorful bacon, sweet grape tomatoes, crunchy toasted almonds, and crisp croutons. The salad is tossed with a bright and refreshing lemon vinaigrette, which adds a tangy and citrusy flavor to the dish.
It is a family favorite recipe that has been passed down for years and is loved for its perfect blend of textures and flavors. The addition of honey and dijon mustard in the dressing helps to balance the acidity and bind the ingredients together. Overall, Salad de Maison is a must-try salad that is sure to become a favorite in any family.
21. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
The Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is a beautiful winter salad recipe that combines the delicate ribbons of Brussels sprouts and kale with dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and Parmesan cheese.
The zippy lemon yogurt dressing brings all the flavors together, making it a perfect choice for holiday entertaining or a healthy weeknight meal. With its combination of textures and colors, this salad is a must-try for any salad lover.
22. Crunchy Winter Salad
Crunchy Winter Salad is a delicious and filling salad that combines fresh arugula, crunchy celery, zingy radish, and sweet red apples.
Topped with toasted walnuts, gouda cheese, and a tangy balsamic honey mustard dressing, this salad is packed with flavor. It's easy to make and the dressing can be prepared ahead of time. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying winter meal or side dish.
23. Apple Walnut Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
The Apple Walnut Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette is a delightful winter salad recipe that combines healthy greens, crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, tangy blue cheese, and creamy goat cheese.
The sweet and tangy balsamic vinaigrette dressing perfectly complements the flavors of the salad. It's a refreshing and satisfying option for those looking to enjoy a nutritious salad during the colder months.
24. Apple, Pecan & Feta Salad
The Apple, Pecan & Feta Salad is a delightful winter salad that combines the sweetness of apples, the crunch of pecans, and the tanginess of feta cheese.
The Dijon vinaigrette adds a perfect contrast to the flavors. It's a versatile recipe that can be easily adapted with different ingredients. Perfect as a side dish or a main course with added protein.
25. Pear, Walnut and Gorgonzola Salad
The Pear, Walnut and Gorgonzola Salad is a delightful winter salad that combines the sweetness of pears, the crunch of walnuts, and the tanginess of Gorgonzola cheese.
Topped with a maple Dijon dressing, this salad is a perfect balance of flavors. The addition of red onions adds a nice touch of color and taste. Overall, it's a simple yet delicious salad that is sure to be a hit during the colder months.
26. Autumn Chopped Salad
The Autumn Chopped Salad is a delightful winter salad recipe that combines sweet pear, crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy pecans, chewy dried cranberries, and hearty bacon. Tossed in a poppy seed balsamic vinegar dressing, this salad offers a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors.
The addition of crumbled Havarti cheese adds a creamy texture and enhances the overall taste. It is a versatile salad that can be served as a side dish or a main course with the addition of grilled chicken. Overall, the Autumn Chopped Salad is a must-try for salad lovers looking for a delicious and satisfying winter salad option.
27. Seven Layer Salad
The Seven Layer Salad is a classic and delicious make-ahead salad that is perfect for winter gatherings. With layers of chopped lettuce, peas, celery, onions, bacon, cheese, and a mayonnaise and sugar dressing, it offers a delightful combination of flavors.
This salad can be customized with additional ingredients such as Parmesan cheese, meat, cauliflower, tomatoes, red bell pepper, spinach, sour cream, or ranch seasoning. It is a crowd-pleaser and a go-to side dish for any holiday or potluck event.
28. Italian Salad
The Italian Salad is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The mixture of romaine, radicchio, and endive provides a refreshing and slightly bitter taste. The addition of roasted garlic cloves and ricotta salata adds depth and complexity to the salad.
Tossed with a homemade dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper, and honey, this salad is a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. It's a colorful and tasty option for a winter salad.
29. Air Fried Artichoke Salad with Lemon Parmesan Dressing
The Air Fried Artichoke Salad with Lemon Parmesan Dressing is a bright and hearty winter salad. The crispy air-fried artichokes add a delicious crunch, while the tangy and cheesy dressing brings a burst of flavor. The addition of white beans makes it a satisfying meal.
This salad can be prepared ahead of time and still tastes great the next day. It's a crowd-pleaser and a great way to enjoy artichokes without the hassle of cleaning and prepping fresh ones. Overall, a delicious and satisfying winter salad option.
30. Broccoli Salad
Broccoli Salad is a classic and delicious winter salad recipe. Packed with fresh broccoli florets, dried cranberries, and crispy bacon, it offers a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
The creamy homemade dressing, made with mayo, red wine vinegar, and seasonings, adds a delightful creaminess to the salad. Topped with optional hemp hearts or chopped nuts, this salad is a crowd-pleaser at any winter gathering.
31. Harvest Salad and Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
The Harvest Salad and Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing is a delightful winter salad recipe. It combines the flavors of apples, pears, cashews, and Swiss cheese in a crunchy and savory salad.
The homemade lemon poppy seed dressing adds a tangy and creamy element to the dish. It's a versatile salad that can be customized to your liking, and it pairs well with various proteins. Overall, it's a hearty and flavorful salad option for the winter season.
32. Pomegranate Salad with Kale and Quinoa
The Pomegranate Salad with Kale and Quinoa is a festive and healthy winter salad that is perfect for the holiday season. The combination of fresh kale, cooked quinoa, pomegranate arils, goat cheese, and optional chopped pecans creates a delicious and nutritious salad.
The Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the salad. Overall, this salad is a winner for any winter gathering or as a side dish.
33. Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad
The Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad is a healthy and crunchy winter salad. It features shredded Brussels sprouts and baby kale tossed in a flavorful Dijon Maple Vinaigrette.
The salad is topped with finely grated Parmesan cheese and toasted pecans or walnuts for added texture. It's a simple yet delicious salad that can be prepped ahead of time, making it perfect for holiday gatherings.
34. Layered Pasta Salad
Layered Pasta Salad is a visually appealing and delicious winter salad. Filled with pasta, chicken, peas, lettuce, celery, and more, it offers a perfect balance between a green salad and pasta salad.
This make-ahead dish is great for gatherings and potlucks, as it stays fresh and doesn't get soggy. The layers can be customized to personal preference, making it versatile and adaptable. Overall, Layered Pasta Salad is a tasty and visually stunning addition to any winter meal.
35. Pomegranate Pear Salad with Walnuts
Pomegranate Pear Salad with Walnuts is a vibrant and flavorful winter salad that is perfect for holiday dinners. The combination of crunchy toasted walnuts, juicy pomegranate seeds, sweet sliced pears, and tangy parmesan cheese creates a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
The salad is topped with a tasty vinaigrette that brings everything together. It's a visually appealing dish that is easy to prepare and can be prepped ahead of time. Overall, this salad is a delicious addition to any winter meal.
36. Fennel Salad
Fennel Salad is a refreshing and flavorful winter side dish. The combination of shaved fennel, apples, and cabbage creates a crisp and crunchy texture. The creamy apple cider dressing adds a sweet and tangy element to the salad.
It's a great accompaniment to roasted meats or as a light lunch option. Overall, Fennel Salad is a delicious and easy-to-make salad that is perfect for the colder months.
37. Quinoa Salad
The Quinoa Salad with Cranberries is a vibrant and refreshing winter salad. It features a delightful combination of flavors, including cranberries, pomegranate, kale, butternut squash, and feta.
The salad is packed with nutrients and can be served warm or cold. It's perfect for entertaining and can be made in advance. Overall, it's a delicious and visually appealing salad that is sure to impress.
38. Roasted Winter Vegetable Quinoa Salad
The Roasted Winter Vegetable Quinoa Salad is a hearty and nutritious side dish perfect for the fall and winter seasons. It features roasted sweet potato, carrots, butternut squash, and walnuts, all mixed with quinoa and dressed with a delicious maple-cider vinaigrette. The combination of comforting roasted vegetables, nutty crunch of walnuts, and tangy dressing creates a beautiful bite.
This salad can be enjoyed warm alongside various main dishes or eaten cold for make-ahead lunches. It is also great for meal prep and can be customized with different vegetables and toppings. Overall, the Roasted Winter Vegetable Quinoa Salad is a flavorful and satisfying option for winter salads.
39. Avocado Black Bean Salad
Avocado Black Bean Salad is a healthy and fresh winter salad that combines avocados, black beans, corn, red pepper, cherry tomatoes, and green onions. The homemade honey lime vinaigrette adds a delicious tangy flavor.
This salad is versatile and can be enjoyed as a light lunch, served with tortilla chips as a chunky salsa, or as a side dish for Mexican-inspired dinners. It's also a great option for potlucks or BBQs. The combination of ingredients creates a satisfying and flavorful salad that is perfect for winter.
40. Fennel and Apple Salad
Fennel and Apple Salad is a refreshing and crunchy winter salad. Made with shaved fennel and apple, it is tossed in a light vinaigrette. With only four ingredients, this salad is simple to make and takes just 10 minutes to prepare and chill.
The combination of sweet-tasting fennel and tart granny smith apple, along with the sweet and tangy vinaigrette, creates a delicious and nutritious salad that pairs well with any meal. Overall, Fennel and Apple Salad is a delightful addition to any winter menu.
