Winter Salad Recipe

If there’s one dish that dazzles on the winter table, it’s this Winter Salad. Vibrant mandarin orange segments, ruby-red pomegranate seeds, creamy feta, and crunchy candied pecans all snuggled into soft spring greens, then tossed in a zippy homemade dressing. Every forkful feels like a burst of festive flavors and brings a splash of color and freshness to gray winter days—this is truly a recipe you’ll reach for whenever you want to impress your guests (or simply treat yourself) during the colder months.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Winter Salad is how each simple ingredient plays a starring role, adding either a wonderful texture, a pop of color, or a layer of flavor. Make sure to use the freshest produce you can find—you’ll be amazed at how much a handful of quality ingredients can transform your meal!

• Mixed spring greens: These form a juicy, tender base to balance the sweet and crunchy extras.
• Mandarin orange segments: Their juicy sweetness brightens up the salad and makes every bite feel special (clementines or tangerines work just as well).
• Pomegranate seeds: They add bursts of tartness and stunning color; you can swap with dried cranberries in a pinch.
• Feta cheese: Crumbled feta lends a salty, creamy contrast that’s irresistible.
• Candied pecans: Sweet, crunchy, and just a little bit decadent—these are a true treat in every bite.
• Olive oil: Good olive oil forms the base of the luscious, velvety dressing.
• Honey: Just a touch rounds out the tartness and brings everything together.
• Dijon mustard: Adds gentle heat and depth to the dressing’s flavor.
• Apple cider vinegar: Brightens the whole salad with a subtle, tangy zip.
• Shallot: Minced shallot offers mild, aromatic flavor that melds beautifully into the vinaigrette.
• Salt and pepper: A few pinches to perfectly balance all the flavors in your Winter Salad.

How to Make Winter Salad

Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients

Start by washing and thoroughly drying your spring greens. Segment your oranges, remove pomegranate seeds (if not using ready-prepped), crumble the feta, and roughly chop the candied pecans. Laying everything out makes assembling the Winter Salad quick and enjoyable!

Step 2: Mix the Salad Base

In a large salad bowl, add the fresh spring greens. Top them with the orange segments, sprinkle over the pomegranate seeds, scatter the crumbled feta, and finish with a generous handful of candied pecans. The colors alone will make you want to dive right in.

Step 3: Whisk the Dressing

In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced shallot, and a good pinch each of salt and pepper. Whisk (or shake if using a jar) until everything looks creamy and well blended. Taste and tweak for balance, if needed.

Step 4: Toss and Serve

Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad, starting with about half and adding more to taste. Gently toss everything together so every leaf and morsel catches a bit of that luscious vinaigrette. Serve the Winter Salad right away for the freshest flavor and texture.

How to Serve Winter Salad

Garnishes

To make your Winter Salad even more irresistible, sprinkle over a few extra pomegranate seeds, a handful of finely chopped fresh herbs like mint, or an extra crumble of feta right before serving. These final touches add eye-popping color and an unexpected layer of freshness.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with hearty winter mains. Try it alongside roasted chicken, a rich vegetable gratin, baked salmon, or even a holiday ham. The bright, citrusy notes bring just the right amount of lift to big, comforting meals.

Creative Ways to Present

For a show-stopping start to a holiday dinner, serve your Winter Salad on a large platter, letting those jewel-like fruits shine. Or layer servings in clear glasses for elegant individual salads—perfect for dinner parties or special brunches!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Winter Salad (which is rare!), store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep in mind that the greens will gradually wilt after being dressed, so leftovers are best enjoyed within a day.

Freezing

This salad is best enjoyed fresh and doesn’t freeze well. The delicate greens, fruits, and cheese lose their texture when thawed, so it’s worth making only what you’ll eat right away.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat Winter Salad—its bold construction is all about fresh, crisp contrast! If you’d like to revive chilled leftovers, let the salad sit out of the fridge for a few minutes before serving to take the chill off.

FAQs

Can I make the salad ahead of time?

You can prep the individual ingredients in advance—chop the nuts, segment the oranges, whisk the dressing—but don’t toss it all together with dressing until just before serving for the freshest results.

What can I substitute for candied pecans?

If you don’t have candied pecans, regular toasted pecans or walnuts also work beautifully. For a nut-free option, try adding toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for crunch.

Is there a vegan or dairy-free way to make Winter Salad?

Absolutely! Swap the feta for a plant-based cheese or simply leave it out. For the dressing, use maple syrup in place of honey to keep things vegan-friendly.

What’s the best way to remove pomegranate seeds?

Score the pomegranate and gently break it apart in a bowl of water—this lets the seeds sink and the pith float, making it easy to strain out just the seeds with minimal mess or waste.

Can I use another green besides spring mix?

Yes! Spinach, arugula, or a combination of baby greens can all work as flavorful alternatives. Each green will give your Winter Salad a slightly different, equally delicious personality.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite as uplifting during the cold months as a bright, celebratory Winter Salad. Whether you’re serving it at a big family dinner or whipping it up for lunch, it’s the kind of dish that always earns rave reviews. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it all season long!

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