Wonderful Winter Salads You'll Want to Eat
You might not think the words "wonderful" and "salad" go together, but that's why we're here: to prove that salads, yes, salads, can indeed be wonderful, mouthwatering, delicious, packed full of flavor, and good for you—all at the same time.
If you want to kick off the year with less greasy, fatty foods and more plant-based, satisfying meals, check out some of our favorite winter salads that are far from boring, and that you'll actually want to eat.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Citrus & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Sweet and juicy citrus and peppery arugula come together in this light and colorful salad.
The balsamic dressing is made up of a simple combination of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, oregano, and salt.
This recipe calls for Cara Cara oranges and grapefruit, but feel free to toss in your favorite winter citrus variety.
The salad is vegan on its own, but if you want a little cheese, some feta would work well here.
Winter Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts & Balsamic Fig Vinaigrette
Featuring candied walnuts and lots of pomegranates, this winter salad is bursting with flavor!
Mixed greens pair with arugula for a bit of fresh peppery flavor, and a homemade balsamic fig dressing ties it all together.
Don't forget to add the goat cheese — the saltiness takes the salad to a savory, mouthwatering level that's pretty incredible.
Find the full recipe at Half Baked Harvest
Warm Winter Salad
If you're craving a warm side dish to serve alongside roasted chicken or tofu, consider this salad from Feasting at Home.
Hearty and full of texture, this Middle Eastern-inspired salad features roasted cauliflower, carrots, fennel, and chickpeas.
It's garnished with fresh dill and chili flakes for an extra herby-spicy flavor component.
Photo Courtesy of Cookie + Kate
Feta Fiesta Kale Salad with Avocado & Crispy Tortilla Strips
Looking for something a little more zesty and bright? Consider this fiesta kale salad!
Kale is paired with black beans, feta, avocado, and cilantro before being finished off with a homemade jalapeño-lime dressing.
Keep it vegetarian-friendly or toss in some ground beef or grilled chicken for a heartier meal.
Photo Courtesy of A Couple Cooks
Arugula Beet Salad
In this quick and easy side dish, zippy arugula, tender beets, and fragrant shallots are paired with a sweet and light citrus dressing.
Serve it as-is for a vegetarian-friendly option, or serve it with salmon or chicken to tie it all together.
Roast your beets ahead of time to save yourself time when you prep this for dinner.
Find the full recipe at A Couple Cooks
Cleansing Watercress & Citrus Salad with Turmeric Dressing
If you're looking for a super healthy salad that will really get you on the right track this new year, consider this cleansing recipe.
Watercress, citrus, and turmeric are ingredients that are all full of beneficial antioxidants and fresh, delicious flavor, too.
Serve your bright and cleansing salad with a piece of salmon for a well-rounded meal.
Photo Courtesy of Spend with Pennies
Winter Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
Colorful, slightly sweet, and filled to the brim with a variety of veggies and crunchies, this winter salad is the opposite of ordinary.
Though it looks restaurant-worthy, this salad is made up of just a handful of pantry ingredients you might already have on hand.
Feel free to toss this salad in the homemade dressing this recipe calls for, or sub in some of our honey mustard dressing to cut down on prep time.
Find the full recipe at Spend with Pennies
Kale Caesar Salad with Sweet Potatoes & Crispy Chickpeas
If caesar salad is your go-to, consider this recipe that adds sweet potatoes and crispy chickpeas to the mix!
Sweet potatoes and chickpeas are tossed in a spicy chipotle powder and smoky paprika before being oven-roasted to crispy perfection.
Toss it all up with a homemade parmesan tahini dressing and serve it alongside your favorite protein.
Photo Courtesy of Love & Olive Oil
Rainbow Farro Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Crunchy farro adds a nice nutty flavor and texture to this beautiful rainbow salad.
Carrots, radicchio, cucumbers, radishes, and spicy greens give this salad a colorful flair, while crumbled feta adds a nice dash of saltiness.
Drizzle it with a homemade blood orange vinaigrette for a sweet contrast to the root veggies.
Find the full recipe at Love & Olive Oil
Balsamic Berry Vinaigrette Winter Salad
Though local berries aren't in season in the winter, if you're craving that berry-licious flavor, consider this salad recipe that features a homemade balsamic berry vinaigrette.
Balsamic vinegar, greek yogurt, and sugar-free strawberry preserves are the base for a sweet and sour dressing that complements the greens and toppings well.
Prefer something other than strawberries? You can always swap in blueberry, blackberry, or raspberry preserves.
Find the full recipe at EatingWell
More Winter Salad Recipes to Consider
Moroccan Carrot & Chickpea Salad from Once Upon a Chef
Citrus Avocado Salad with Orange Tahini Vinaigrette from Half Baked Harvest
Winter Happiness Salad from Feasting at Home
Fennel and Blood Orange Salad from Smitten Kitchen
Citrus and Pomegranate Fruit Salad from Once Upon a Chef