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Salads can be hearty and filling, perfect for any season! These winter salad ideas are delicious main dishes or perfect pairings.

Collage of winter salad recipes.

We Love Them All Winter!

Salads totally belong in winter! When the weather turns chilly, we reach for hearty greens, crunchy toppings, roasted veggies, grains, nuts, and bright citrus to keep things fresh and filling. This collection rounds up our favorite winter salad ideas you are sure to love!

From Brussels and kale to classic Cobb and Waldorf, salads are quick and easy to put together! They can be quite hearty and filling alone or great to balance out heavier hot dishes. Winter salad ideas include seasonal produce and plenty of texture.

With so many flavor variations, there are plenty of winter salad recipes to keep it interesting and yummy!

PRO TIP: Pin or bookmark this list so you’re ready with colorful winter salads that make cold-weather meals feel extra fresh.

Top 10 Most Loved Winter Salad Ideas

Our favorite winter salads, filled with cozy flavors, bright citrus, and all the hearty goodness you want on chilly days.

1 Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe

Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
Full of shredded Brussel sprouts, pomegranate seeds, sliced almonds, and a little bit of shaved parmesan, this colorful salad has the perfect amount of crunch!
5 from 9 votes
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2 Kale Salad Recipe

Kale Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Sweet Kale Salad is topped with chunks of apple, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and bacon, served with a homemade sweet dijon vinaigrette!
5 from 8 votes
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3 Antipasto Salad

Antipasto Salad
Total Time: 15 minutes
Quick and hearty antipasto salad is filled with cured meats and veggies and lightly dressed with your favorite Italian dressing!
5 from 8 votes
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4 Cobb Salad

Cobb Salad
Total Time: 15 minutes
This simple cobb salad is so full of tasty ingredients it's a meal all on its own. It is quick to make and utterly delicious.
5 from 12 votes
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5 Wedge Salad Recipe

Wedge Salad Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
This fresh wedge salad is a classic. It's crisp and refreshing, smothered in creamy dressing and topped with crumbles of cheese and bacon.
5 from 4 votes
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6 Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe

Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Fresh and filling Tortellini Salad whips up in minutes for a delicious summer salad topped with creamy ranch dressing.
4.96 from 22 votes
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7 Asparagus Salad Recipe

Asparagus Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
Filled with mozzarella cheese, and cherry tomatoes, seasoned with basil, and covered in a light balsamic vinaigrette, this asparagus salad is bursting with flavor! Best of all, it comes together in less than 10 minutes!
5 from 10 votes
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8 Arugula Salad Recipe

Arugula Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
Fresh Arugula salad is loaded with healthy greens, juicy tomatoes, and parmesan shavings with pine nuts and creamy avocado on top!
5 from 7 votes
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9 7 Layer Salad Recipe

7 Layer Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Deliciously customizable 7 Layer Salad is filled with just the right amount of goodness. It's perfect to make ahead!
5 from 20 votes
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10 Waldorf Salad Recipe

Waldorf Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
Waldorf salad is filled with texture and flavor. Tossed in a homemade poppy seed dressing, it's perfect for any lunch, dinner, or appetizer.
5 from 21 votes
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More Winter Salad Ideas

Keep scrolling for even more delicious winter salads that are fresh, colorful, and perfect for any day of the season.

11 Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken Caesar Salad
Total Time: 45 minutes
This chicken caesar salad is jam-packed with filling ingredients. It's so flavorful, you won't believe how simple it is to make!
5 from 21 votes
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12 Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious, and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a favorite!!
5 from 11 votes
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13 Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe

Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Cold spinach tortellini salad is the ultimate side dish for BBQ and potlucks. It's packed with all the best flavors!
4.89 from 27 votes
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14 Pistachio Salad Recipe

Pistachio Salad Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
This easy pistachio salad is light, fluffy, and made with just 4 simple ingredients—perfect for any holiday or potluck!
5 from 116 votes
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15 Cranberry Salad Recipe

Cranberry Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Simple Cranberry Salad has the perfect balance of sweet and tart. It's a delicious side dish or refreshing dessert!
5 from 8 votes
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16 Christmas Salad

Christmas Salad
Total Time: 10 minutes
This Christmas salad is filled with pops of fresh seasonal fruit and dressed to perfection in a homemade balsamic vinaigrette!
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17 Apple Salad

Apple Salad
Total Time: 10 minutes
With a simple citrus dressing, apple salad is packed with texture and simple, bright flavors. It's refreshing and made in minutes!
5 from 7 votes
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18 Tuna Salad Recipe

Tuna Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
Chopped Tuna Salad Recipe is filled with fresh crisp veggies and tossed in a light and refreshing lemon vinaigrette!
5 from 24 votes
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19 Green Bean Salad Recipe

Green Bean Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Crisp and flavorful green bean salad is seasoned with garlic, feta, and lemon for a tasty side, perfect to accompany any dinner!
5 from 4 votes
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20 Apple Pecan Salad

Apple Pecan Salad
Total Time: 10 minutes
Topped with a poppyseed dressing, fresh apple pecan salad is a delectable combination of flavors and textures.
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Winter fruit salad served in a large white bowl.
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15+ Fresh and Easy Winter Salad Ideas

By: Kristyn Merkley
Salads can be hearty and filling, perfect for any season! These winter salad ideas are delicious main dishes or perfect pairings.
Servings: 8
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 6 clementines peeled and separated into segments
  • 1 pear cored, sliced and chopped
  • 2 apples cored, sliced and chopped
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds (about 1 large pomegranate)
  • 4 kiwis or golden kiwis, peeled and sliced

Dressing

  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons lime juice

Instructions 

  • Combine all fruit in a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, mix honey, orange juice and lime juice together until combined. Pour over fruit and toss to combine.
  • Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
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Notes

Recipe Notes:
  • Choose firm ripe fruit so the pieces hold their shape after tossing.
  • Chop apples and pear last, then toss quickly with the dressing to minimize browning.
  • For extra crunch, add a handful of toasted chopped nuts right before serving.
  • Make ahead, prep fruit and dressing up to 24 hours in advance, store separately, then toss and chill for 1 hour before serving.
  • Serve in a clear bowl for a pretty presentation, garnish with extra pomegranate seeds or mint.
For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post

Nutrition

Calories: 116kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 323mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 79IU, Vitamin C: 69mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. Liv says:

    So many great options! I made the southwest quinoa salad and loved it, can’t wait to try more!

    Reply
  2. Allyson Zea says:

    I said so many of these! Thank you so much for this list

    Reply
  3. Abby says:

    I’ve tried a few of these salad recipes and loved them! I can see myself making these year around not just during the winter time.

    Reply
  4. Kristina says:

    I love all your chicken topped salads that i’ve tried particularly the strawberry harvest.

    Reply
  5. Olivia says:

    I can eat a salad anytime of the year. Even during the winter time. So much to choose from. Love this site!

    Reply