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.
Vegetable Heavy Winter Salads
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.
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.
This salad is just gorgeous and makes a nice centerpiece for a Fall or winter spread
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.
Kale Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash, Chevre, Dried Cranberries and Spiced Pecans
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).
Fruit Heavy Winter Salads
This is one of my favorite salad, those little pomegranate arils add so much flavor, and the color is just gorgeous
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 from Wholesome Yum.
Persimmons and Watercress Salad with Candied Walnuts and Goat's Cheese
Doesn't this Persimmon and Watercress Salad with Candied Walnuts and Goat's Cheese look just divine?
Full of delicious flavors and crunch, this Roasted Beet Orange and Pistachio Salad from Bowl Me Over is just gorgeous and contains lots of health benefits too.
Roasted Kabocha and Goat's Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Dressing
I was so excited to try the pomegranate dressing in this Roasted Kabocha and Goat's Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Dressing from Kitchen Sanctuary, and it did not disappoint! Just amazing.
Kale Salad with Caramelized Grapefruit, Avocado, Feta and Pesto Dressing • Happy Kitchen
This revitalizing and light Kale Salad with Caramelized Grapefruit, Avocado, Feta and Pesto Dressing is 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.
Heartier Salads: Grains and Beans
Baked Almond Crunch Falafel Bowl with Two Second Dressing is 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.
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 zestiness needed. 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.
Rockin' Mid-Winter Lentil Spinach Salad with Prune Vinaigrette
I just love how filling and full of flavor this Rockin' Mid-Winter Lentil Spinach Salad with Prune Vinaigrette from Midlife Croissant is. Plus, adding prunes to a salad dressing definitely gives it a bit of an edge!
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! From Indfused.
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.
Winter Salads with Added Protein
Believe me when I tell you this Chicken Shawarma Salad is on repeat in our house year-round!
Fillet Mignon combined with mixed 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.
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!
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 with mixed 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.
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.
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.
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.
CardioGod.com says
All the dishes look so amazing. I love mostly your BBQ chicken salad. Thank you for sharing!
999drugs.com says
I like to eat colorful food. Almost all salads presented in this post are combine the rainbow colors what makes them even more attractive.
Maya | Wholesome Yum says
I love this roundup! I've been looking for new ideas for winter salads. Thanks for including my rainbow salad recipe, too.
Donna1 says
Thanks Maya! Love the rainbow salad, so pretty!
Katrin says
What a great roundup! Love the recipes and all the vibrant colours. Thank you!
Donna1 says
They make winter that little bit less bleak 🙂
Jenna says
What a lovely winter salad round up! I struggle with salads this time of year! It can be challenging to find salads that feel satisfying and comforting now.
Donna1 says
Me too!! I always go straight for the comfort foods when the weather is cold, but too many just give you that heavy feeling!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
This is such a great salad roundup! I'm loving that winter grapefruit citrus one!
Donna1 says
Thanks Rachelle 🙂 I know, how pretty is it!!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much for including my recipe in this delicious round-up! There are amazing salads here - something for everyone! Did some sharing to help pass the word. Happy New Year to you!
Donna1 says
Thanks so much for popping by Debra 🙂
My Kitchen Love says
So many recipes to keep the salad train going straight through till Spring! Thanks for including my persimmons salad!
Donna1 says
Exactly 🙂 No worries, LOVE persimmons!!
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
Thank you! I have such an endless love for salads this post will come in very handy this winter!
Donna1 says
Me too Christine, so many options for deliciousness 🙂