Winter salads are a wonderful way to incorporate seasonal produce and everyday ingredients from your pantry. Whether the produce is from your garden beds or the store, it’s all about your gardening skills!

Here are 12 popular recipes that highlight the best flavors of the colder months, complete with taste profiles, ingredient lists, preparation times, difficulty levels, and pairing suggestions. Each recipe includes a link, so you can take your time deciding which one best suits your taste buds and kitchen skills!

 

1. Roasted Sweet Potato and Kale Salad

This hearty winter salad combines roasted sweet potatoes, kale, and crunchy walnuts for a dish that balances natural sweetness with a nutty flavor. The tangy dressing, made with lemon juice, olive oil, honey, and Dijon mustard, ties everything together. It’s ready in 40 minutes, is easy to prepare, and pairs well with grilled chicken or as a side dish for holiday dinners or by itself with some roasted chicken. 

Recipe: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/sweet-potato-kale-salad/

2. Brussels Sprouts and Pomegranate Salad Shredded

Brussels sprouts provide a crunchy base for this colorful winter salad, complemented by the sweetness of pomegranate arils, candied pecan and the salty richness of parmesan cheese. Tossed in a simple lemon dijon vinaigrette, this salad takes 25 minutes to prepare and is an excellent choice for a healthy dish during the holiday season, alongside turkey leftovers.

Recipe: https://www.crowdedkitchen.com/shaved-brussels-sprout-salad-2/

3. Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Salad

This main-dish salad combines nutty wild rice, roasted butternut squash, and fresh spinach with the added texture of dried cherries and topped with a tangy dressing made from balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, and rosemary. Ready in about 50 minutes, this recipe is a great option for meal prep or a warm salad to pair with a hearty soup.

Recipe: https://heartbeetkitchen.com/wild-rice-and-butternut-squash-salad-maple-balsamic-dressing/

4. Citrus and Arugula Salad

Peppery arugula pairs beautifully with juicy citrus fruits like three varieties of oranges and grapefruits in this colorful salad. A flavorful vinaigrette made with olive oil, vanilla, and lemon juice ties the dish together. It takes just 15 minutes to prepare and works well as a side dish for fish or as a refreshing start to a multi-course meal.

Recipe: https://oursaltykitchen.com/citrus-salad/

5. Spinach and Bacon Salad

This warm salad combines wilted spinach, crispy bacon, boiled eggs, and crunchy walnuts for a protein-packed dish. Tossed with a bold mustard vinaigrette, it delivers robust flavor and satisfying texture. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a great salad for busy days, whether at work or on the go, offering a delicious deviation from traditional cold salads.

Recipe: https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/spinach-salad-warm-bacon-dressing.html

6. Chickpea and Red Cabbage Salad

For a simple winter salad, combine red cabbage, chickpeas, and green onions. The crunchy texture of the cabbage and the savory flavors of the chickpeas make it a great salad for cold winter months. The dish is finished with a tangy vinaigrette featuring sumac, cumin, oregano, sesame seeds, lemon juice, lemon zest, and extra virgin olive oil, enhancing the crisp flavors of the season. It takes 30 minutes to prepare and pairs perfectly as a side dish with meat or fish.

Recipe: https://www.olivetomato.com/mediterranean-red-cabbage-and-chickpea-salad/

7. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad

This colorful salad combines roasted sweet potatoes, black beans (from a can), and fresh cilantro for a vibrant and healthy dish, topped with a dash of lemon juice dressing to bring all the flavors together in every bite. Because sweet potatoes cook quickly and the beans are ready from a can, this recipe can be ready in just 35 minutes, making it a great option for potlucks or a lunch on the go.

Recipe: https://naturallyella.com/roasted-sweet-potato-and-black-bean-salad/

8. Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

A classic salad includes beets, extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling, salad greens like arugula or spring mix, shallots, green apples, toasted walnuts, goat cheese, microgreens (optional), a trusty balsamic vinaigrette, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. This flavorful salad takes less than 40 minutes to prepare and has such beautiful textures, with a creamy feel and tangy flavor, making it perfect as an appetizer for a holiday meal or special occasion.

Recipe: https://www.loveandlemons.com/beet-salad-recipe/#wprm-recipe-container-60701

9. Apple Walnut Salad with Blue Cheese

The recipe calls for crispy bacon, melted butter, crushed walnuts, brown sugar, mixed lettuce greens, blue cheese or feta, red onions, dried cherries, raisins, or cranberries, and apples, all tossed in a vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard, maple syrup, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. This epic winter salad comes together in about 20 minutes and is a great way to incorporate seasonal ingredients.

Recipe: https://www.sungrownkitchen.com/blue-cheese-apple-walnut-salad/#recipe

10. Cabbage and Citrus Slaw

This simple salad combines shredded red cabbage and carrots, finely chopped shallots, garlic, and fresh cilantro, all tossed in a dressing made with sweet orange zest and juice, lime juice, your choice of oil, sugar or honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. It’s a healthy salad ready in 25 minutes, perfect as a side for grilled salmon, burger sliders, or roasted meats.

Recipe: https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/sweet-tangy-citrus-slaw.html#tabrecipe

11. Pumpkin and Spinach Salad

Roasted pumpkin cubes with a dressing of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper, all mixed in a bed of pine nuts, baby spinach leaves, and feta cheese. This tangy and sweet salad takes 40 minutes to prepare, mostly waiting for the roasted pumpkin, and is a great option as a side dish during dinner parties. 

Recipe: https://www.recipetineats.com/roast-pumpkin-spinach-and-feta-salad/#wprm-recipe-container-23203

12. Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Feta

Don’t be discouraged by the toughness of the kale. This recipe calls for slivered almonds, curly leaf kale thoroughly massaged and soaked in salted water to soften the leaves, pomegranate arils, crumbled feta cheese, red onion, and a pinch of butter, maple syrup, salt, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and pepper for a creamy dressing. The time it takes to make this salad depends on how long it takes to massage and soften the kale, making it a flexible option. It's a fresh, easy salad for work or a quick, on-the-go meal that can be stored in the fridge.

Recipe: https://www.rootsandradishes.com/kale-feta-pomegranate-salad/

Final Thoughts

You’ll find that half of these ingredients are likely already in your pantry, and the other half can be easily sourced from your garden or a local store. Either way, you’re bound to find them soon enough. These winter salads are among the freshest and most popular options from the winter harvest, making them the perfect way to enjoy seasonal produce!