Winter Salad combines sweet fruits, tangy cranberries, and crunchy pecans, all tossed in an amazing creamy maple dressing.
straightforward Winter Salad Recipe
Earlier this year, I shared a reliable quick salad recipe—the one I make all the time because it’s straightforward and works with what’s in the fridge.
Now, here’s a winter version! It has a simple dressing that goes great with winter fruits, nuts, or seeds. Keep it simple with greens and one fruit, or use what you have.
For a festive twist, add maple-cinnamon pecans from the recipe card below—they’re so good!
Winter Salad Ingredients
- Mixed greens: Use a store-bought mix of different greens for great texture and flavor.
- Pomegranate: Save time with ready-to-eat arils from the store.
- Dried cranberries: Sweetened cranberries add the reliable tart-sweet balance.
- Pears, apples, or oranges: Use firm fruit for straightforward slicing and crunch—pick your favorite or what you have on hand.
- Feta or goat cheese: Use your favorite, or skip for a dairy-free option.
- Pepitas or candied pecans: Toasted nuts or seeds add the best crunch and flavor.
Quick Tip
Roasted, salted pepitas add crunch and a sweet, nutty flavor. Look for them in the bulk aisle or near salad toppings. For a from-scratch choice, make Maple-Cinnamon Pecans (recipe below)—they’re quick, simple, and great with the salad!
Winter Salad Dressing
Making your own dressing is quick, flavorful, and lets you know exactly what’s in it. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive oil: Use extra virgin for the best flavor.
- Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup, not to be confused with pancake syrup, adds natural sweetness.
- White wine vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a slight tang.
- Mayo: Full-fat mayo makes the dressing creamy and rich.
- Minced garlic: Jarred garlic works great if you’re after straightforward!
- Salt & pepper: Adjust to taste for the reliable finish.
Winter Salad Variations
- Make it a main dish: Add blackened chicken on top or on the side.
- Swap the fruit: Use pears, apples, or oranges. Try varieties like Blood Oranges, Bartlett Pears, or Honeycrisp Apples.
- Add veggies instead: Roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash are great alternatives to fruit.
- Make it vegan: Skip the cheese and use vegan mayo in the dressing.
What To Serve Alongside Winter Salad
- Soup: Pair with a warm bowl of tomato basil soup or butternut squash soup.
- Bread: Serve with crusty French bread or soft dinner rolls.
- Protein: Add grilled chicken, salmon, or steak for more protein.
- Pasta: Complement with a hearty pasta dish like baked ziti.
Storage
Storage
Winter Salad doesn’t store well once dressed. Only dress what you’ll eat, and keep toppings and dressing separate for leftovers.
If the dressing clumps in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, then shake it up—it’s just the olive oil hardening.
More satisfying Salad Recipes:
- Winter Fruit Salad with a simple poppy seed dressing
- Beet Goat Cheese Walnut Salad with a honey-Dijon dressing
- Ambrosia Salad with a creamy yogurt dressing
- Chicken Salad with Apples and a satisfying dressing
- Spinach Salad with bacon and apples
