Lifestyle

22 Winter Salad Recipes Packed With Fresh, Seasonal Produce

You may automatically think summer when someone says salad. But even if you’re focused on in-season vegetables and fruits, there are plenty of delicious produce options available as the weather gets cold. Whether you’re into root vegetables and squashes, adore winter greens like kale and chard, or can’t wait to dig in on all that winter citrus, we have the perfect side salads or main dish options to help you make the most of the winter produce options out there.

Shaved Carrot Salad

Jennifer Causey


A creamy tahini dressing creates a perfect counterpoint to thin slices of carrot for an easy dinner side dish. If you want to turn this into a full-on dinner salad, add cooked rice noodles, chopped lettuce, and tofu or chicken.

Every-Citrus Salad With Almonds and Manchego

Caitlin Bensel

Brighten up the coldest winter months with a salad that’s the perfect combo of bitter, tart, and sweet. Bitter radicchio and grapefruit pairs with tart blood oranges and sweet navel oranges.

Roasted Acorn Squash Salad

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless


This tasty recipe makes good use of tender winter squash, which is paired with earthy kale and a bright sprinkle of pomegranate seeds and pistachios for the ultimate winter salad. To make it a full meal, opt to add a little cooked chicken or tofu for extra protein.

Make-Ahead Holiday Salad

Greg DuPree

Want the perfect easy-to-make side for a holiday potluck or a busy weeknight? Try this hearty combination of red kale, Brussels sprouts, pomegranate seeds, and croutons. The salad needs to sit for at least 10 minutes—but can handle being refrigerated overnight.

Winter Citrus Salad With Nut and Honey Crunch

Victor Protasio


If you’re looking for a sweeter take on salad, this citrus salad will be a perfect choice for your meal. (We love it for brunch!) Opt for a range of citrus types—including blood oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines—to pair with almonds and yogurt.

Baby Kale and Chicken Caesar Salad

Caitlin Bensel

Try a healthier take on the classic Caesar—baby kale and Brussels sprouts swap in for the traditional lettuce, and rotisserie chicken makes this an easy weeknight meal.

Peanutty Dumpling Salad

Victor Protasio

This protein-packed recipe features edamame and a savory, spicy peanutty sauce (along with protein-filled dumplings, if you go for a meatier version of the dumplings)—along with plenty of crunch from carrots and peanuts.

Roasted Carrot Salad

Greg Dupree


Salad ingredients don’t have to be raw. Here, roasted carrots are tossed with a delicious lemony dressing and fresh sprigs of thyme.

Squash and Lentil Salad

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen


Butternut squash, lentils, and arugula are dressed in a spicy-tart dressing of apple cider vinegar and garam masala.

Brussels Sprouts Salad

Heami Lee

Ready to take Brussels sprouts to the next level? Opt for a salad with Brussels sprouts and radicchio, topped with pecans, dried cranberries, and shaved Parmesan.

Beet-Radicchio Salad

Christopher Testani


This pretty mixed salad features beets, oranges, and bitter radicchio, topped with salty Parmesan and pistachio. A tasty miso and maple syrup dressing sweetens the deal.

Grapefruit, Beet and Radish Salad

Greg DuPree

For a colorful and simple addition to your meal, consider this dish. Slices of peppery radish and beets are topped off with grapefruit segments and a drizzle of olive oil.

Crunchy Salad With Chicken and Ginger

Fred Hardy


For a satisfying meal in a bowl, try this tasty mix of marinated chicken with crunchy chopped cabbage, carrots, and peppers. (You can even make it ahead and opt to dress it at the last minute!)

Sesame-Ginger Potato Salad

Greg DuPree

You don’t have to wait for a summer cookout to serve potato salad. For a mayo-free option, try creating a flavorful ginger-sesame dressing and mixing in red cabbage, cilantro, and scallions.

Green Bean and Celery Salad

Greg Dupree


For a tasty holiday side dish, skip the gloppy green bean casserole in favor of a more flavorful option. Dijon mustard, honey, and apple cider vinegar combine for a sweet-tart dressing that brightens up this festive salad of celery, green beans, and apple.

Shaved Apple Fennel Salad

Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Emily Hall


Thin slices of apples—pick a variety so you get both sweet and tart flavors—and fennel combine with a hearty maple-shallot vinaigrette for an easy winter salad. Serve it with quinoa to make it more of a meal.

Charred Broccolini With Tahini Caesar and Crispy Chickpeas

Jennifer Causey


Up your Caesar game with a fresh and wintry take, featuring homemade sourdough croutons and crispy chickpeas along with the broccolini.

White Bean and Farro Salad

Jennifer Causey

For a hearty, high-protein salad (that’s vegetarian, too!), try a mix of cannellini beans and farro, topped off with a touch of arugula and some fresh dill and feta. A simple shallot vinaigrette gives it a punch of flavor.

Chickpea Tuna Salad

You’ll love this easy-to-assemble salad for a quick lunch or dinner. Chickpeas and tuna bring the protein, and an array of veggies—including arugula, radicchio, olives, and red onion—pack it with flavor.

Tofu and Cabbage Salad With Coconut Dressing

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless


You need just 15 minutes to mix together an easy vegan weeknight dinner salad that’ll satisfy you. Save time by using a coleslaw mix and packaged, marinated tofu, then create your perfect creamy dressing with coconut cream, lime juice, soy sauce, and a touch of sriracha.

Spiced Carrot Salad

Greg DuPree

A Moroccan-inspired side dish, this salad features touches of cumin, garlic, and red pepper flakes in the dressing—and a touch of sweetness from golden raisins.

Kale Slaw With Lemon Tahini Dressing

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart


Winter staple kale may be the star of the show, but the lemony tahini dressing brightens up the sometimes bitter greens. Warming spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and coriander make this a winter-perfect side dish.


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