18 Winter Salads to Enjoy All Season Long

When it comes to salads, summer vegetables usually get all the credit. No longer! Winter’s bounty of in-season produce (like hardy greens, squash, beets and potatoes) are perfect for creating a wholesome meal in a bowl. Just top with your favorite salad dressing and you’ve got a veggie-forward meal on the table in minutes. We’ve rounded up all of our favorites to get you started, including this filling kale salad. It includes pecans for nutty crunch, pear for sweetness and chopped green onion for maximum flavor.

We all know salads are typically served cold, but they don’t have to be! This warmed salad features gently wilted greens tossed in a light vinaigrette. Walnuts add crunch while pomegranate seeds add fresh sweetness.

Winter salads should be hearty and filling, and this recipe is nothing but. Squash, shrimp and flavorful dressing make this salad the perfect option for busy winter nights. It’s ready in just 25 minutes and can be served as a salad, side dish or vegetarian entrée.

Combining uncooked and cooked ingredients—like salmon and fresh greens—in the same salad creates a depth of flavor and variety of textures. In this Niçoise-inspired salad, the potatoes, green beans and fish are all roasted together on a sheet pan and then served atop fresh baby salad greens, herbs and cherry tomatoes.

Citrus is best in winter, and this recipe puts it on display in a refreshing winter salad. Start by dressing chopped kale with orange juice, olive oil, sugar and garlic. Next, peel and section fresh mandarins, and add them to the salad with sliced jalapeño and goat cheese. Since kale is so hearty, this is the perfect salad to prep and dress in advance.

For a hearty winter salad that can be served as a side dish or an entrée, try this lentil, cauliflower and orzo salad. The combination of textures makes it filling, and the chopped herbs make it taste extra fresh. Chopped green olives add a pop of savory flavor and red pepper flakes add just the right amount of heat.

This layered salad is the perfect dish to bring to a potluck party. It stacks winter’s best vegetables in a colorful, easy-to-devour layout. Barley adds chewy texture and walnuts make it extra crunchy.

For a sweet and spicy salad that’s sure to impress your guests, try roasted delicata squash. Before roasting, toss the squash in maple syrup, chili powder and salt to add a sweet, spicy, caramelized flavor. Serve with spiced pepitas, pomegranate seeds and goat cheese.

This easy weeknight dinner tastes like it took all day, thanks to the wondrous convenience of an Instant pot. The bread soaks up the deep flavor of the cooking liquid, which then get tossed with hearty winter greens and pancetta.

This fun salad is a fantastic way to highlight winter citrus. Ready in just 15 minutes, it combines sliced fennel, sectioned blood orange and baby kale. Toss with a homemade vinaigrette and serve with crumbled gorgonzola and chopped hazelnuts.

Beets add an unmistakable earthiness to any dish they’re featured in, and this recipe is no different. The fresh beets get boiled, peeled and sliced, then tossed with vinegar, mustard and caraway seeds. Next, the tender beets get topped with spicy radishes and served atop crunchy lettuce. Sprinkle with scallions and parsley to serve.

Ready in under a half hour, this filling dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. Start by crisping stale bread in the oven, then toss cherry tomatoes, garlic and peppers with olive oil and spread on a sheet tray. Bake briefly, then chop, toss and serve with basil and grated parmesan.

Winter salads don’t always have to be heavy. In fact, this one is perfectly light and refreshing. Ready in just 15 minutes, granny smith apple adds bright, zippy acidity, while escarole, celery and endive make it fresh and crunchy.

This incredibly simple recipe can be served as a delicious breakfast or refreshing dessert. All you need are a few grapefruits, some honey and chopped mint. Toss it all together and serve chilled.

A sheet pan salad is perfect for winter dinners because it’s nourishing, warm and nutritious. Ready in under an hour, this recipe features roasted squash, cauliflower, chickpeas and shallots, all tossed in a homemade vinaigrette. Arugula and pomegranate seeds add extra flavor, while pistachios add crunch.

If you’re looking for an easy salad recipe, this is about as simple as it gets. Five ingredients—including cherry tomatoes, celery, mozzarella, olive oil and lemon juice—are all you need to whip up a fresh and flavorful salad. Toss the ingredients then season with salt and pepper and you’ll have dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes.

Roasted vegetables make a great side dish, but they’re even better when served as a salad. Simply cut the vegetables, toss with olive oil and season, then arrange in a single layer on a sheet tray. Roast until fork tender, then toss with the homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Currants add extra sweetness, while goat cheese makes it creamy and tangy.