The 13 Yummiest and Easiest Winter Salad Recipes to Brighten Your Table

I love making winter salad recipes all the time because they’re simple and refreshing while still being cozy and filling. Sometimes I toss in roasted nuts, add slices of apples and oranges, or sprinkle some feta or goat cheese on top. Even when the dressing turns out a bit tangy or I mix in too much, it still tastes wonderful because winter salads are forgiving and always full of flavor that feels earthy and real.

I still remember the first time I tried one of my favorite winter salad recipes. It was a chilly afternoon when I didn’t have many fresh ingredients since most things were out of season, so I just used what I had: kale roasted sweet potatoes, and some cranberries. Even though it didn’t look perfect, it turned out so delicious that everyone kept asking what was in it. That’s when I realized winter salads don’t have to be fancy to taste amazing; they just need a little love and creativity.

When I serve winter salad recipes, I love pairing them with warm and hearty dishes like soup, baked chicken, garlic bread, or roasted veggies. If it’s a family dinner, I’ll add a homemade Pie for dessert or a warm cup of tea. Every single time, the mix of cold, crisp salad and warm comfort food feels just right because that’s the kind of balance that makes winter meals feel special and full of joy.

13. Roasted Butternut Squash & Pomegranate Winter Salad

This winter salad is full of color and warmth. It brings together roasted butternut squash with juicy pomegranate seeds, tender greens, creamy feta, and crunchy nuts, so it feels like sunshine in a bowl. The mix of sweet and savory flavors makes every bite special.

Ingredients

• 3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
• 4 cups mixed greens
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup toasted pecans
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C and toss squash cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Roast for 25 minutes until soft and lightly golden.
3. Mix maple syrup and white balsamic vinegar to create the dressing.
4. Combine greens, roasted squash, pomegranate, feta, and pecans.
5. Pour dressing over and toss gently before serving.

---

12. Kale, Brussels Sprouts & Apple Winter Salad

This salad blends shredded Brussels sprouts and crisp kale with thin apple slices, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy pecans. It’s a beautiful balance of textures that holds up perfectly even after dressing.

Ingredients

• 4 cups kale, chopped
• 2 cups Brussels sprouts, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• ½ cup goat cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup candied pecans
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
2. Massage kale with dressing for one minute to soften the leaves.
3. Add shredded Brussels sprouts, apple slices, goat cheese, and pecans.
4. Toss until evenly coated and serve.

---

11. Citrus, Fennel & Avocado Winter Salad

This winter salad feels bright and refreshing. Juicy oranges and grapefruit mix beautifully with thinly sliced fennel and creamy avocado for a result that is light yet full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 oranges, segmented
• 1 grapefruit, segmented
• 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp citrus juice
• 1 tsp honey
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Arrange greens, fennel, citrus, and avocado in a bowl.
2. Whisk olive oil, citrus juice, honey, salt, and pepper together.
3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently.
4. Let sit for five minutes so flavors blend before serving.

---

10. Sweet Potato, Feta & Tahini Winter Salad

This salad combines soft roasted sweet potatoes and creamy feta with an earthy tahini dressing. It feels rich but light at the same time, making it a complete, wholesome meal.

Ingredients

• 2 sweet potatoes, cubed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups spinach
• ½ cup feta cheese
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil (extra)
• 1 tbsp water
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Roast sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 200°C for 25 minutes.
2. Mix tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, water, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. Place spinach in a bowl; add roasted sweet potatoes and feta.
4. Drizzle tahini dressing on top and toss gently.

---

9. Pear, Pomegranate & Walnut Winter Salad

Ripe pears mix with pomegranate seeds and crunchy walnuts so every bite has sweetness and crunch. The mild feta adds creaminess, and the vinaigrette gives a zesty touch.

Ingredients

• 2 pears, sliced
• ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
• ½ cup walnuts
• 4 cups mixed greens
• ¼ cup feta cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Toast walnuts in a pan for 2 minutes.
2. Combine greens, pears, walnuts, pomegranate, and feta.
3. Mix olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to make dressing.
4. Pour over salad and serve immediately.

---

8. Shaved Brussels Sprouts & Cranberry Winter Salad

When Brussels sprouts are shaved thin and tossed with cranberries and Parmesan, they turn into something bright and crisp. It’s a savory-sweet dish that feels festive and balanced.

Ingredients

• 4 cups shaved Brussels sprouts
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup almonds
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper for the dressing.
2. Combine shaved Brussels sprouts, cranberries, almonds, and Parmesan.
3. Pour dressing over and toss until well coated.
4. Let rest for five minutes before serving chilled.

---

7. Lentil & Roasted Cauliflower Winter Salad

Hearty lentils and caramelized cauliflower come together with herbs and lemon dressing. It’s earthy and comforting while remaining packed with protein and fiber.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 2 cups roasted cauliflower
• 2 cups baby kale
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Roast cauliflower with olive oil, salt, and pepper until golden.
2. Combine lentils, roasted cauliflower, baby kale, and parsley.
3. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper for dressing.
4. Pour over and toss gently. Serve warm or chilled.

---

6. Arugula, Apple & Gouda Winter Salad

Peppery arugula meets crisp apple and creamy Gouda. The honey-mustard dressing adds a sweet and tangy flavor that makes this salad ideal for light winter lunches.

Ingredients

• 4 cups arugula
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• ½ cup Gouda cheese
• ¼ cup walnuts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Whisk olive oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper.
2. Arrange arugula, apples, Gouda, and walnuts in a bowl.
3. Drizzle dressing over top and toss until evenly coated.

---

5. Warm Wilted Greens & Pomegranate Winter Salad

Unique because the greens are slightly wilted and warm, this salad feels comforting while staying bright thanks to the pomegranate seeds.

Ingredients

• 4 cups kale or spinach
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
• ¼ cup walnuts
• 1 small shallot, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Sauté shallots in olive oil until soft.
2. Add greens and cook until just wilted.
3. Mix vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper for the dressing.
4. Combine wilted greens, pomegranate, and walnuts; drizzle with dressing.

---

4. Wild Rice & Roasted Squash Winter Salad

Hearty wild rice mixes with roasted squash and cranberries for a dish that feels like comfort food. It works perfectly as a main or a substantial side.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked wild rice
• 2 cups roasted squash
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 2 tbsp parsley
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Cook wild rice and let it cool. Roast squash until tender.
2. Combine rice, squash, cranberries, parsley, and spinach.
3. Whisk oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss together and serve warm.

---

3. Spinach, Persimmon & Goat Cheese Winter Salad

Shining with sweet persimmons and creamy goat cheese, this salad is fruity and fresh. It’s a cheerful dish for cold days when you want something vibrant.

Ingredients

• 4 cups spinach
• 1 persimmon, sliced
• ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
• ½ cup goat cheese
• ¼ cup almonds
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Arrange spinach and persimmons in a bowl.
2. Add pomegranate, goat cheese, and almonds.
3. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper; drizzle on top and toss gently.

---

2. Roasted Delicata Squash & Arugula Winter Salad

Sweet roasted delicata squash mixes with peppery arugula for a fancy but easy result. The combination of textures makes it an unforgettable addition to a holiday meal.

Ingredients

• 1 delicata squash, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• ¼ tsp chili powder
• 4 cups arugula
• ¼ cup goat cheese
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Roast squash slices with olive oil, maple syrup, chili, and salt.
2. Let cool slightly, then combine with arugula, goat cheese, and seeds.
3. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss and serve.

---

1. Ultimate Kale & Radicchio Winter Salad

A true showstopper. Bold radicchio and kale combine with pomegranate and roasted squash for a perfect balance of bitter, sweet, crunchy, and tangy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups kale
• 1 cup radicchio
• 1 cup roasted squash
• ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
• ¼ cup pecans
• ¼ cup Parmesan
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp mustard
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Roast squash until tender. Massage kale with olive oil to soften.
2. Add radicchio, pomegranate, pecans, and Parmesan.
3. Mix vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper for dressing. Drizzle and toss.

---

Conclusion

These 13 easy and delicious winter salad recipes bring color and joy to cold days. Using fresh seasonal produce and simple dressings, these salads keep your meals vibrant all season long.