16 Unique Salad Recipes for Winter (2024)

Author: Donna | Published: |

Are you feeling it too? The cold weather is creeping in and the comfort food is coming out. As much as I love a good stew or a casserole, I absolutely feel the need to throw a few interesting salad recipes into the mix to make sure I don't enter into full-on hibernation mode when the weather cools.

(This round-up has been updated from the original post in 2017 to add a few more amazing salads I have found or created over the years.)

What Is So Interesting About Winter Salads?

I am so glad you asked!

Once the weather starts to cool there are so many fun and interesting new flavors on offer to play with.

Try adding some of these cold-weather favourites to your next salad:

  • Pomegranate
  • Quince
  • Persimmon
  • Fennel
  • Squash - there are so many varieties available these days!
  • Beets
  • Citrus
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower

Change things up and have fun playing with some new flavors.

To help get you inspired I have trawled the internet and sought out fellow bloggers to provide you with a delicious array of unique salads for winter to get you going.

I find it easier to incorporate salads into my weekly meal planning if we switch it up and have something different every time so let's get experimenting!

Vegetable Heavy Winter Salads

Adding winter vegetables to a salad makes it a whole meal unto itself as they are a lot heavier than their summer mates.

Try adding squash, potatoes, parsnips, or turnips to your next salad.

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Moroccan Cauliflower and Pumpkin Couscous Salad

A dollop of yogurt dressing on top and you are good to go. Packs well for lunch the next day and can easily be prepared ahead of time for a delicious salad without the fuss.

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Miso Brussels Sprouts and Apple Salad

You are going to love this seasonal Miso Brussels Sprouts and Apple Salad. Thinly sliced brussels are given a quick marinade in a light miso dressing and then combined with some fresh crispy apples and toasted pecans. A light and zesty salad that is the perfect accompaniment to some grilled salmon or tofu.

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Warm Winter Vegetable Salad

This salad is just gorgeous and makes a nice centerpiece for a Fall or winter spread

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Quinoa Veggie Bowl with Basil Hummus Dressing

Roasting a whole tray of vegetables is a great way to start off a hearty salad. This bowl pairs perfectly roasted vegetables with a quick and easy basil pesto hummus dressing.

With so much flavour going on in this salad, you are definitely going to want to dive right in.

Fruity Winter Salads

Winter fruits are something special.

From little pomegranate jewels to an almost savory persimmon, they add a fun pop of color on what can sometimes be a dreary day (weather dependant of course).

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Halloumi and Cous Cous Pomegranate Salad Recipe

This is one of my favorite salad, those little pomegranate arils add so much flavor, and the color is just gorgeous

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Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe with Passion Fruit Vinaigrette

This Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe with Passion Fruit Vinaigrette is seriously over the top delicious. Loaded with thinly sliced avocado, red onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, perfectly cooked chicken and passionfruit you are going to find a lot of amazing flavors going on in here.

Add a splash of color to your winter table with this beautiful salad fromWholesome Yum.

Doesn't thisPersimmon and Watercress Salad with Candied Walnuts and Goat's Cheeselook just divine?

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Photo Credit:bowl-me-over.com

Roasted Beet Orange and Pistachio Salad

Full of delicious flavors and crunch, thisRoasted Beet Orange and Pistachio SaladfromBowl Me Overis just gorgeous and contains lots of health benefits too.

I was so excited to try the pomegranate dressing in thisRoasted Kabocha and Goat's Cheese Salad with Pomegranate DressingfromKitchen Sanctuary, and it did not disappoint! Just amazing.

This revitalizing and lightKale Salad with Caramelized Grapefruit, Avocado, Feta and Pesto Dressingis a must try detox salad to kick things off right in the New Year. I just love caramelized citrus.

Heartier Salads: Grains and Beans

Need something a bit more substantial to fill your belly?

Try these interesting hearty winter salads.

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Baked Almond Crunch Falafel Bowl with Two Second Dressing

Baked Almond Crunch Falafel Bowl with Two Second Dressingis the perfect comfort food salad. The falafels are still nice and hot from the oven, and when paired with some rice and lots of fresh, raw veg, they take on a lighter note, which is a much appreciated break from the heavier winter fare.

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Winter Farro Salad with Feta and Citrus Vinaigrette

Winter Farro Salad with Feta and Citrus Vinaigrette has a lot going on. The nuttiness of farro shines through in contrast to the sweetness of the winter fruit. Feta gives it just that little bit of zestinessneeded. And the nuts and seeds give it enough crunch to make this a well-rounded salad that is as much at home as a side on your dinner table, or as the star of the show at a picnic.

I just love how filling and full of flavor thisRockin' Mid-Winter Lentil Spinach Salad with Prune VinaigrettefromMidlife Croissantis. Plus, adding prunes to a salad dressing definitely gives it a bit of an edge!

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Photo Credit:www.veggieinspired.com

Quinoa Spinach Salad w/ Butternut Squash & Apple

This one has the triple whammy - fruit, veg and grains!

A true winter bliss salad!Warm curried lentils combined with veggies and a super healthy mango ginger and avocado dressing! FromIndfused.

Chicken and Meat Winter Salads

Salads aren't just for meat-free Monday.

Take your salad to the next level and add some chicken or beef.

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Chicken Shawarma Salad With Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Believe me when I tell you thisChicken Shawarma Saladis on repeat in our house year-round!

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Photo Credit:cookinglsl.com

Fillet Mignon Fall Salad Recipe

Fillet Mignon combined withmixed greens, pomegranate seeds, blue cheese, onions, chopped hazelnuts and chopped apple...umm yes please.

This fun salad is ticking all the essential boxes in our house.

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Photo Credit:www.cottercrunch.com

Warm Salad with Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese

ThisWarm Greens Salad with Smoked Salmon and Goat cheeseis sure to satisfy your tastebuds and nourish your body! I just love the flavors in this unique salad recipe.

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Photo Credit:www.thelifejolie.com

Copycat Panera Bread BBQ Chicken Salad

ThisCopycat Panera Bread BBQ Chicken Saladis as healthy as it is tasty, and so quick and easy that it practically begs you to make it for a simple weeknight dinner!

Believe me when I tell you this Chicken Shawarma Salad is on repeat in our house year-round!

Fillet Mignon Fall Salad from Cooking LSL.

Fillet Mignon combined withmixed greens, pomegranate seeds, blue cheese, onions, chopped hazelnuts and chopped apple...umm yes please.

This fun salad is ticking all the essential boxes in our house.

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This Warm Greens Salad with Smoked Salmon and Goat cheese is sure to satisfy your tastebuds and nourish your Body! I just love the flavors in this unique salad recipe courtesy of Cotter Crunch.

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This Copycat Panera Bread BBQ Chicken Salad is as healthy as it is tasty, and so quick and easy that it practically begs you to make it for a simple weeknight dinner! From The Life Jolie.

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And there we have it.

16 unique salads for winter to keep you going for the rest of the month.

Which one will you be trying first?

Happy eating.

16 Unique Salad Recipes for Winter (2024)

FAQs

What can I put in a salad to make it more interesting? ›

Add spices and flavours such as paprika, chilli flakes, curry powder, harissa or parmesan. Add acidity or sourness with vinegar, lemon juice or pomegranate molasses to transform your salad.

What can I eat instead of salad in the winter? ›

Pop in some protein- add lean meats, chicken, fish such as salmon or mackerel, lentils and beans, chickpeas, feta, halloumi, falafels or egg. Chuck in some carbs- examples that warm up nicely include new potatoes, sweet potato, quinoa, couscous, spelt, rice or pasta.

What is the 30 day salad challenge? ›

In this 30-day challenge, we will help you add a salad each day to meet your goals. Whether it's a simple side or a filling lunch, these recipes will help you boost the nutrition of your meals without sacrificing flavor. Enjoying a salad is easy when you make it ahead.

What are the most popular winter foods? ›

7 Classic Winter Comfort Foods
  1. Macaroni & Cheese. Great for kids, even better for adults. ...
  2. Pot Roast. Oh heck yes. ...
  3. Chili with Beans. Eat a bowl once, stay full forever. ...
  4. Irish Lamb Stew. Extra comfort points for the bread bowl. ...
  5. Chicken & Dumplings. ...
  6. Lamb Shank. ...
  7. Hungarian Goulash.

What salad is good to eat everyday? ›

Best: Spinach or Kale Salad

They have the most nutrients. Case in point: Kale and spinach have over 10 times more immune-boosting vitamins A and C than iceberg lettuce.

How do you pimp up salad? ›

One of the easiest ways to get some flavour in your salad is to mix up your leaves with bright herbs that pack a punch. Plants like parsley, dill, mint and coriander can really kick your salads up a notch and give them some (much needed) depth and can give a great dose of flavour in every bite.

How to make a salad that actually tastes good? ›

How to Make a Salad You'll Actually Want to Eat
  1. 1: Think Beyond Lettuce and Greens.
  2. 2: Add Heft with Grains and Nuts.
  3. 3: Add Beans or Other Proteins.
  4. 4: Make Your Own Homemade Salad Dressing.
  5. 5: Make it a Flavor Party.
Jan 18, 2024

What are 5 components of a satisfying salad? ›

There are five elements to a perfect salad: greens, sweetness, creaminess, crunchiness, and dressing.

What are the superfood for winter? ›

Benefits of Eating Nutrient-Rich Winter Superfoods

Foods like citrus fruits (high in vitamin C), garlic, ginger, and leafy greens provide essential nutrients that support the body's defense against illnesses like colds and flu.

How do restaurants keep salads so cold? ›

The Keys to Crisp Lettuce

Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture (but not too much!), in order to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

What are the 5 salads? ›

The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination. The five basic salads that can be served throughout the course of a meal are starter, accompaniment, main course, intermezzo, and dessert.

What is the Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

She spent the day sharing pieces of her life, including a few of her favorite meals. For lunch, she had what is now known as the Jennifer Aniston salad: bulgur wheat, cucumber, herbs, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and pistachios.

What salad did Jennifer Aniston eat for 10 years? ›

The actual salad that she ate for 10 years while Friends was being filmed was actually a doctored up Cobb salad with shredded lettuce, chicken, egg whites, a small amount of garbanzo beans or chickpeas, bacon and a basic vinaigrette.

What salad did Jennifer Aniston actually eat? ›

She did in fact, eat a cobb salad instead everyday consisting of chopped lettuce, chicken breast, turkey bacon, boiled egg, and so on with her co-star Lisa Kudrow.

Is it good to eat salad in winter? ›

Regardless of whatever your diet is, a nutritious winter salad can offer your body the essential nutrients and immunity boost it needs, all while enriching every bite with taste. Some people think that salad is a summer food but know it's not as it is equally important to incorporate during the winter season.

Can you eat salads in winter? ›

Unless you have the guidance of chefs and professional salad developers to steer you into winter salad bliss, that is. With the right winter tweaks, a bowl of greens can be just as hearty and cozy as a hearty stew, helping to ensure that you get your full fill of veggies year-round and with pleasure.

What is the difference between summer and winter salad? ›

The difference between summer and winter salads comes down to what produce is produced this time of year. You'll notice grocery stores full of things like figs, pomegranates, apples squashes, Brussels sprouts, arugula and beets, as opposed to summer produce like tomatoes, zucchini, berries and corn.

What is the best season for salad? ›

Spring and early summer may be the best time of year for farm-fresh salad greens. The exceptional, unparalleled flavor and crisp, juicy texture is worth seeking out.

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