15 Wonderful Winter Salad Recipes

0 0 10 minutes read

I’ve always said that salads are my favorite kind of meal. They’re the one thing I never get tired of because there’s always a new way to build them. Some days I crave something crisp and refreshing; other days, a warm bowl loaded with roasted veggies and grains, or a handful of toasted nuts. And every now and then, I’ll throw in some fruit because a little sweetness makes any salad feel special. This roundup of 15 winter salads pulls together all those moods in one place, with seasonal winter veggies, cozy warm salads, and a few bright mixes with fruit and nuts to keep things interesting.

Crunchy Cruciferous & Roasted Veggie Salads

I love how this group of salads shows off both sides of winter produce. The raw cruciferous mixes—broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts—keep things crisp and refreshing, while the roasted veggie salads feature caramelized edges and cozy flavors thanks to a little roasting magic. Each bowl brings out a new flavor profile, proving there’s no one “right” way to enjoy these seasonal ingredients in a salad!

1. Sweet Crunch Winter Salad

Sweet Crunch Winter Salad

When fresh vegetables are in short supply, make this Sweet Crunch Winter Salad packed full of winter vegetables and a homemade Maple Tahini Dressing.

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4.68 from 25 votes

$4.58 recipe / $1.15 serving
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When I want something bright and crunchy in the dead of winter, this sweet crunch salad always saves the day. It’s packed with hardy veggies that stay crisp all week and a maple tahini dressing that feels surprisingly fancy for how affordable it is.

2. Honey Mustard Broccoli Salad

Honey Mustard Broccoli Salad

This crunchy, sweet, tangy, and creamy Honey Mustard Broccoli Salad only takes minutes to makes the perfect summer side dish.

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5 from 45 votes

$4.10 recipe / $0.82 serving
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Use a batch of creamy honey mustard dressing to turn fresh broccoli into a super satisfying salad that comes together in minutes. This honey mustard broccoli salad is also budget-friendly and perfect for make-ahead lunches or potlucks!

3. Roasted Carrot and Feta Salad

Roasted Carrot and Feta Salad

A simple an inexpensive side dish, this Roasted Carrot and Feta Salad combines sweet roasted carrots with salty feta and fresh parsley for a simple salad.

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4.71 from 17 votes

$2.49 recipe / $0.41 serving
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This roasted carrot and feta salad is one of my favorite ways to dress up inexpensive veggies. Roasting the carrots brings out their sweetness, and tossing them with feta and parsley makes the whole bowl extra flavorful without costing much at all. It proves that “basic” vegetables can be downright drool-worthy with just a few simple additions!

4. Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing

This Roasted Cauliflower Salad combines sweet roasted red onions, spiced chickpeas, tender cauliflower, and a tangy lemon tahini dressing.

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4.68 from 251 votes

$8.49 recipe / $2.12 serving
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This roasted cauliflower salad is built for cold-weather cravings, pairing warm, smoky flavors with hearty vegetables. Sweet roasted onions, spiced chickpeas, and a bright lemon tahini dressing come together in a bowl that’s full of texture, warmth, and flavor in every bite.

5. Marinated Cauliflower Salad

Marinated Cauliflower Salad

Marinated cauliflower salad is full of crunchy and colorful vegetables marinated in a homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for meal prep!

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4.92 from 36 votes

$8.40 recipe / $1.05 serving
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For easy meal prep, this marinated cauliflower salad is always in my rotation since it holds up for days and tastes even better by midweek. I usually make the dressing myself, but I’ve definitely swapped in a bottled version when I need a shortcut.

6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

This cozy Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad features roasted vegetables, toasted pecans, creamy goat cheese, and a tangy maple Dijon dressing.

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4.94 from 15 votes

$7.20 recipe / $1.44 serving
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This roasted Brussels sprouts salad makes smart use of leftover holiday sprouts and turns them into a simple but hearty side! Sweet potatoes, toasted pecans, goat cheese, and a maple Dijon dressing add plenty of texture and flavor, but you can use any cheese you have on hand.

7. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad Recipe

Overhead view of a shaved brussels sprouts salad in a serving bowl.

This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe is the perfect healthy side to meal prep for the holidays! It’s fresh, tangy, and SO easy to make.

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4.75 from 4 votes

$5.45 recipe / $0.90 serving
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This shaved Brussels sprouts salad is one of my favorite ways to win over anyone who thinks they don’t like sprouts. Finely shaving them gives a light, sweet crunch, and the honey mustard dressing turns the whole bowl into something closer to a bright, tangy slaw. It’s too good to miss! 🤤

Colorful Salads with Winter Squash & Root Vegetables

Roasted squash and root vegetables make the most satisfying winter salads, and these recipes prove it. They’re cozy without being heavy, colorful without being complicated, and each one does something different with the earthy sweetness of winter produce.

8. Butternut Squash Salad

Butternut Squash Salad

This colorful butternut squash salad features roasted butternut squash, tender greens, flavorful toppings, and a maple Dijon vinaigrette.

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4.88 from 8 votes

$6.43 recipe / $1.61 serving
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With sweet roasted squash, tangy cranberries, and a maple Dijon vinaigrette, this butternut squash salad has a nice balance of textures and always adds a pop of color to the table! An easy and delicious lunch or side dish.

9. Beet Salad

Beet Salad

Overhead view of a beetroot salad in a bowl.

This bright and easy Beet Salad is made with canned beets, oranges, feta, fresh mint, and a simple homemade dressing. Quick and delicious!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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5 from 4 votes

$4.59 recipe / $1.14 serving
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This beet salad brings together sweet beets, bright citrus, salty feta, and fresh mint for a mix of flavors I never get tired of. It uses convenient canned beets to keep things budget-friendly, and though any oranges will work, navel oranges are especially good since they’re in season over winter and always easy to find.

Leafy Green & Kale-Based Salads

Kale and winter greens are my secret weapons when I want a salad that actually keeps me full. I especially love kale in all its forms (roasted, air-fried, massaged with olive oil, you name it!). Here you’ll find a mix of flavorful salads that show just how well winter greens shine when they’re paired with bright dressings and plenty of toppings.

10. Apple Dijon Kale Salad

Apple Dijon Kale Salad

This Apple Dijon Kale Salad is tangy, sweet, and crunchy with Granny Smith apples, walnuts, raisins, and a homemade Dijon vinaigrette.

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4.87 from 43 votes

$5.53 recipe / $1.38 serving
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If a knockout dressing wins you over every time, this apple Dijon kale salad will be right up your alley. The sturdy greens hold their own, too, so the salad stays fresh even after it’s tossed.

11. Kale Salad with Toasted Pita and Parmesan

Kale Salad with Toasted Pita and Parmesan

Kale and Toasted Pita Salad with Parmesan in the process of being eaten.

Fresh salads are not just for summer! This Kale Salad with Toasted Pita and Parmesan features winter flavors, but is still light, fresh, and crunchy!

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5 from 4 votes

$3.83 recipe / $1.28 serving
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I love how this kale and Parmesan salad turns an inexpensive bunch of kale into something lively, especially with the crunchy pita, walnuts, and sweet raisins. It also uses a store-bought champagne vinaigrette, giving it the same bright flavor you’d get from making it yourself (but without buying an expensive bottle of champagne vinegar or adding extra steps!)

12. Wilted Spinach Salad

Wilted Spinach Salad

Wilted spinach salad with bacon, white beans, and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette is a quick, easy, and light summer meal.

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5 from 2 votes

$6.33 recipe / $1.58 serving
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This wilted spinach salad keeps things easy with a one-skillet method where the bacon drippings form the base of a quick warm vinaigrette. The result is a tender, flavorful mix of spinach, beans, and smoky bacon that’s perfect for a fast meal!

Fruit & Nut-Forward Salads

Fruit and nuts always remind me of holiday snacking trays, and they happen to make incredible winter salads as well! These recipes lean into that sweet–crunchy balance, creating bowls that feel light, bright, and still perfectly seasonal.

13. Warm Brussels Sprouts and Pear Salad

Warm Brussels Sprouts and Pear Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

Warm Brussels sprouts and pear salad in a bowl.

This Warm Brussels Sprouts and Pear Salad combines winter flavors in a warm and filling side dish, all in about 15 minutes.

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4.68 from 40 votes

$4.61 recipe / $1.15 serving
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This warm Brussels sprouts and pear salad is simple but so satisfying, with the Dijon vinaigrette soaking into the wilted sprouts and sweet fruit. I stick to whole Brussels sprouts and shred them myself to keep the price down and the texture just right.

14. Pear, Celery and Pecan Salad

Pear, Celery and Candied Pecans Salad Recipe

Overhead view of pear celery pecan salad in a serving bowl.

This Pear, Celery and Pecan salad is the only pear salad recipe you need this holiday season. Easy to make, refreshing, and full of flavor!

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5 from 1 vote

$12.22 recipe / $2.44 serving
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I always turn to this pear, celery, and pecan salad when I want a break from all the rich holiday food, since the pears, crunchy celery, and candied pecans make it feel refreshing while still offering plenty of festive flavor!

A Fresh Way to Use Up Holiday Leftovers

Once the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals are over, I love pulling out all the leftovers and turning them into big, colorful salads. And pretty much anything can go into the bowl! Roasted vegetables, pantry bits, even the last scoop of a side dish can find a home here, and somehow it all works.

15. Holiday Leftovers Bowls

Thanksgiving Salad Bowl

These Thanksgiving Bowls are the perfect salads for using up all your holiday leftovers. Fresh, healthy, and great for reducing food waste!

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