23 Winter Salad Ideas To Have On Repeat

Once the weather starts to get a little worse, and the evenings start to get a little darker, we usually find ourselves defaulting to soups, stews, and casseroles, but these can sometimes get dull week after week!

Winter might not be the first season that comes to mind when you think of salads, but they are the perfect way to incorporate the best of winter’s produce and flavors (whilst also getting those extra vitamins into your diet!). If you’d like to learn more about what is in season right now, read our Month-By-Month Seasonal Eating Guide.

From hearty roasted vegetables to zesty citrus fruits, we’ve compiled 23 of our favourite winter salad ideas that are not only easy to make, but taste amazing. 

Read on for the complete list of winter salad ideas…

1. Roasted Beetroot, Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Salad

The first of our winter salad ideas is the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Start by lightly roasting your beetroot chunks with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Add to a bed of organic rocket, sprinkle on your goat’s cheese, and lightly chopped walnuts before adding a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

If you want to know more ways to use leftover pumpkin, read one of our recent blogs: 5 Things To Do With Leftover Pumpkin This October

2. Kale and Cranberry Salad

Kale is such an underrated vegetable all year round, but the hardy qualities of the leaf make it the perfect option for winter salads. This salad in particular works well as a simple side for roast chicken or steak.

Start by massaging your kale with olive and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle on your dried cranberries and sliced almonds. Make your citrus vinaigrette using the zest and juice of an orange, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and a thinly sliced shallot. Drizzle over the top before serving! 

3. Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Sprinkle your butternut squash chunks with smoked paprika, rosemary, salt, and pepper for half an hour, or until slightly crispy on the edges. Add these to a bowl alongside cooked quinoa, rocket, and a maple vinaigrette.

Make your maple vinaigrette by combining maple syrup, white wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. If you’re looking for more butternut squash recipes, check out our Creamy Butternut Squash Soup.

4. Halloumi, Orange and Carrot Salad

This winter salad recipe is equally good as a simple lunch option or for serving at a family get-together. Start by making your dressing using wholegrain mustard, honey, orange juice, and white wine vinegar. 

Create ribbons of carrot using a vegetable peeler and leave these to soak in your dressing for 10 minutes. Add your grilled halloumi on top alongside a handful of pea shoots and your orange segments before tucking in. Find the full recipe on the BBC Good Food website. 

5. Winter Citrus Salad

Our winter citrus salad salad is an impressive side dish for any dinner parties that you might be hosting over the next few months! Start by carefully peeling and slicing a mix of grapefruit, oranges, and blood oranges into thin, round slices. 

Arrange these on a serving platter with rocket before topping with finely sliced red onions, sliced olives, and chopped garden mint. The citrus fruits provide enough flavour on their own, so there is no need to make a dressing!

6. Rocket, Fig and Prosciutto Salad

Fig and prosciutto are one of those dreamy flavour combinations that always remind me of Christmas time – so this salad is definitely a go-to in November and December. 

Lay your prosciutto ham on a baking sheet and twist slightly before roasting in the oven until crisp (they’ll hold their shape whilst cooking!). Add these to a bed of rocket, alongside quartered figs and toasted pine nuts. Drizzle your salad with olive oil and balsamic glaze before serving. If you’re looking for more recipes that use figs, why not check out our Fig & Goats Cheese Tarts?

7. Pomegranate and Spinach Salad

Spinach is a great source of iron, which comes in especially handy in the colder months. To make this winter salad, add a few handfuls of washed spinach to a bowl, before sprinkling over pomegranate seeds and crumbled feta cheese. 

Finally, whisk together a zesty lemon-poppy seed dressing by combining freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, poppy seeds, salt, pepper, and a touch of honey. Drizzle this dressing over the salad, ensuring each ingredient is lightly coated. Toss gently before serving. 

8. Apple and Brussels Sprout Salad

These gorgeous winter vegetables are perfectly complemented by the honey-mustard dressing in this salad – trust us – all of your friends will be asking for the recipe! Start by trimming the ends off the Brussels sprouts and finely shred them. Finely slice your apples into crescent-shaped pieces. Add these to a bowl alongside toasted pecans and the dressing.

To make your dressing, combine olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dijon mustard, and a generous spoonful of honey. Season with salt and pepper and adjust to your liking. Toss everything together and serve.

9. Spiced Roasted Carrot Salad 

Okayyy, this is definitely more of a side dish than it is a winter salad, but we think it is delicious enough to be included on this list! You can use large carrots that have been chunkily chopped or small Chantenay carrots roasted whole in this dish – either works well! Start by adding your carrots to a baking tray and tossing them with olive oil, salt, pepper, za’atar, and chili flakes. Roasted until caramelised. 

Assemble your plate by spreading the yoghurt on the base, before adding your carrots (with the juices) before topping with chipped mint and pomegranate seeds if you have them on hand.

10. Winter Bean & Chicken Salad

Our hearty winter bean and warm chicken salad is a great option for work lunches, dinners, and BBQs alike. Start by roasting or pan-frying your skin-on chicken with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Remove from the pan and rest before slicing. 

In a bowl, combine butter beans, chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, finely chopped red onion, and chopped parsley. Dress the beans with a mix of olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon, salt, pepper, and a dash of apple cider vinegar. Serve on a plate or salad platter with your warm chicken on top.

11. Pear and Blue Cheese Salad

This winter salad idea combines two classic flavours of Christmas. Begin by selecting ripe but firm pears, then core and slice them into thin segments. For the greens, opt for a mix of fresh, crisp salad leaves. Crumble your blue cheese of choice on top of your salad base and add a handful of chopped walnuts. 

Make a simple dressing by mixing extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt, and a touch of honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Add this to your salad and enjoy!

12. Miso, Parsnip and Apple Salad

Miso offers a salty, almost yeasty flavour profile, leaving some people confused as to when to use it! This miso, parsnip, and apple salad is a great place to start. First, peel and thinly slice fresh parsnips before roasting in the oven. You can eat them raw, but they develop a much sweeter taste when slightly caramelised! 

Add these to a bowl alongside chopped apple, celery, and chives. Make your dressing by combining white miso paste, dijon mustard, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Toss everything together with the dressing and garnish with toasted almonds. Find the full recipe for this salad on The First Mess.

13. Warm Lentil and Bacon Salad

Salads usually make for great side dishes or appetiser portions, but this warm lentil and bacon salad is filling enough to be served on its own (plus it is best served warm, so it kinda feels like a warm comfort meal!). 

Start by cooking your green lentils in chicken broth and crisp up your bacon bits in a pan with some garlic. To assemble your salad, add your cooked ingredients into a bowl alongside finely chopped rosemary, a red onion, capers, and a simple red wine vinaigrette. 

14. Warm Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad

The thing we love about this winter salad is that it works well with pretty much any hearty seasonal vegetables. We love a combination of baby tomatoes, red onion, broccoli, and butternut squash, but you could also add roasted Brussels sprouts, pumpkin, courgette, or sweet potatoes. Simply roast your vegetables with good-quality olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika until lightly charred around the edges. 

Toss your warm winter vegetables with cooked quinoa and a drizzle of balsamic olive oil. If you wanted to serve this salad at a dinner party, you could finish the salad with a crumble of feta cheese and freshly chopped herbs.

15. Warm Mushroom Salad

Earthy flavours work especially well in the colder months, which is why we love this warm mushroom salad. It works great on its own, but also as a side for roasted chicken or beef. 

Start by sautéeing your chestnut mushrooms and finely sliced shallots in butter and salt. Once brown, remove from the pan and use the same pan to toast your pine nuts lightly. Finish by serving your warm elements (don’t forget to add the juice as well as the mushrooms!) on a bed of rocket and pea shoots before drizzling with a balsamic glaze. 

16. Kale and Curried Cauliflower Salad

The warming spices of this winter salad are perfectly balanced with the creamy tahini dressing which can be used with so many other recipes! Start by massaging your cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, pepper, curry powder, and cumin. Roast for 20 minutes or until golden. 

Whilst the florets are baking, massage your kale with olive oil before adding chickpeas. Mix up your dressing by using a generous spoonful of tahini and plain yoghurt, and then add lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together and serve.

17. Cranberry, Almond and Roast Broccoli Salad

Start by roasting your broccoli florets for 10 minutes or until slightly charred. Once cooked, chop into small chunks before adding to a bowl alongside dried cranberries, flaked almonds, and a creamy lemon vinaigrette. 

Make your dressing by combining olive oil, lemons (juice and zest), white wine vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, and garlic. You can find a similar recipe for this salad on The Endless Meal.

18. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad

This Mexican twist on a salad is the perfect lunchtime treat. Begin by roasting small chunks of sweet potatoes until they’re tender and caramelised. Whilst the potatoes roast, combine your black beans and sweetcorn and assemble on your favourite salad leaves alongside the sweet potato. 

For a zesty kick to this winter salad, make a coriander-lime dressing by blending fresh coriander, fresh lime (juice and zest), and a drizzle of olive oil. Drizzle on top of your salad before serving. 

19. Winter Waldorf Salad 

The Waldorf salad is a classic American dish that was first created in New York in the late 19th century. We’ve added an exciting festive twist by using pears and yoghurt instead of apples and mayonnaise.

Start by thinly slicing and dicing ripe pears and celery, and halve your red grapes. Add these to a bowl alongside a handful of walnuts. For the dressing, whisk together creamy plain yogurt, a touch of honey for sweetness, and a dash of lemon juice for that zesty tang. Drizzle this dressing over the salad, ensuring it coats the ingredients thoroughly. Serve your winter Waldorf salad on a bed of baby gem lettuce. 

20. Brussels Sprout and Bacon Slaw

Coleslaw is a staple in the Savery Grazing household, and we love adjusting the ingredients as the seasons change. For our winter slaw, start by shredding your brussel sprouts, a red onion, and a quarter of a red cabbage. Set aside. Crisp up your bacon bits in a pan until sizzling and golden brown on all sides. 

Make your dressing by combining mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and a teaspoon of wholegrain mustard. Toss this with your chopped vegetables before finishing with chives and your crispy bacon. 

21. Meyer Lemon and Rocket Salad 

This is one of the simplest winter salads to make on this list. Simply combine rocket, grated Parmesan cheese, and lightly toasted pine nuts. Finish your salad with the juice and zest of a Meyer lemon.

Meyer lemons are slightly sweeter than a standard lemon, with a slight hint of orange. They are a little difficult to get your hands on in the UK, but you can sometimes buy them frozen. If you can’t find Meyer lemons, feel free to substitute them for another citrus fruit. 

22. Fennel and Blood Orange Salad

Orange and fennel go surprisingly well together, and they work even better with the tang of a citrus vinaigrette. Assemble this salad with a sliced blood orange, finely sliced fennel (you don’t need much to get the strong taste through!), and chopped gem lettuce or watercress. 

Toss everything together in a bowl alongside olive oil, salt, pepper, and wine vinegar. You can find the full recipe on Riverford Organic Farmers.

23. Winter Chickpea Salad

To make a simple chickpea and roasted squash salad, start by roasting cubes of butternut squash and chickpeas in olive oil, salt, and pepper until they’re cooked through, caramelised, and slightly crispy. In the meantime, assemble your dressing. 

This dressing, a blend of smooth tahini, zesty lemon juice, and a hint of garlic, goes perfectly with the mellow flavours of the squash whilst adding a kick. Once the chickpeas and butternut squash have cooked, combine everything in a bowl, toss with the dressing, and serve warm. 

Seasonal Salad Recipes From Savery Grazing

There you go – 23 wonderful winter salad ideas that are perfect for serving at dinner parties, or as an easy lunch meal prep. If you’re looking for more delicious salad winter recipes, explore our blog’s ‘recipes’ page. We also post food and nibble ideas regularly on our Instagram and Facebook pages. 

For fuss-free catering at your next event, why not get in touch with our team? We offer several grazing table packages which include our signature range of seasonal salads, alongside handmade sandwiches, posh picnic nibbles, crudités, and canapés. Perfect for hen-dos, birthdays, weddings, and more!

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