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    Home » Real Food » Salads » Winter Salad

    Winter Salad

    By Kristen Chidsey | 50 Comments | Published January 2, 2019 | Updated October 25, 2021 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    This easy Winter Salad celebrates the best produce winter has to offer. A bed of mixed greens tossed with purple cabbage and topped with grapes, pears, cranberries, feta, and roasted nuts is finished off with a Homemade Dijon dressing for a salad that is full of contrasting textures and flavors.

    This easy Winter Salad celebrates the best produce winter has to offer. A bed of mixed greens tossed with purple cabbage and topped with grapes, pears, cranberries, feta, and roasted nuts is finished off with a Homemade Dijon dressing for a salad that is full of contrasting textures and flavors.

    Winter Salad with fruit in white bowl.

    The Perfect Winter Salad

    When it comes to salad recipes, most people think of spring and summer as the best time to make salads.

    And while I agree that the seasonal produce in the spring and summer months is much more plentiful and diverse, winter produce has a lot to offer when it comes to making a delicious salad as well.

    While I may not have tender berries or vine-ripened tomatoes in the winter, pears, red cabbage, mixed greens, and grapes are in season and easy to find.

    Tossed with tender greens, the contrast from crunchy cabbage to the sweet pears and grapes creates a salad that is fresh and flavorful. Finished with a slightly sweet and tangy Dijon dressing, this Winter Salad is one of my all-time favorite salads.

    Notes on Ingredients

    • Greens: Use any tender greens you like, such as spinach, argula, red or green leaf lettuce.
    • Cabbage: Both red and green cabbage work in this salad, but I love the vibrant purple color of the red cabbage (anyone else wonder why not call it purple cabbage?!)
    • Pears: Anjou or Bosc pears are the easiest to find in the winter months around me, but any firm pear will work in this winter salad recipe.
    • Grapes: While green grapes will work, I prefer the sweetness purple grapes lend to the salad.
    • Feta: The saltiness from the feta adds a delicious bite and texture to the salad, but feel free to omit to keep this salad dairy-free.
    • Nuts: Adding toasted nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, add a delicious crunch to the salad. However, feel free to leave the nuts off the salad.
    • Dijon Dressing: This dressing is made with maple syrup, balsamic vinegar olive oil, and Dijon mustard for a simple dressing that is perfectly compliments the produce in this winter salad.

    How to Prepare a Seasonal Winter Salad

    • If using nuts, toast them by heating a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add the nuts and toss for 2-3 minutes, just until your nose begins to smell the nuts.
    • Prepare the Dijon dressing by whisking together the maple syrup, mustard, balsamic, olive oil, salt, and pepper together.
    • Toss the greens with sliced cabbage and place in a large serving bowl. Top with the diced pears, sliced grapes, and dried cranberries.
    • Drizzle the salad with the prepared dressing, tossing to coat.
    • Sprinkle with the toasted nuts and feta and serve immediately.
    Winter Produce Salad in white bowl next to grapes and pears.

    Storage

    This winter salad is best served immediately after tossing. However, feel free to prepare the dressing and greens up to 48 hours in advance. Wait to add the fruit, nuts, and dress the salad just before serving, to prevent soggy nuts, browned pears, and wilted lettuce.

    Serving Suggestions

    This seasonal winter salad is delicious paired with just about any meal, whether a fancy steak dinner or a cozy soup.

    • New York Strip Roast
    • Pan-Seared Steak
    • Baked Potato Soup
    • Potato Corn Chowder

    If you tried this Winter Salad with Dijon Dressing, I would love for you to leave a review and comment below.

    Winter Produce Salad in white bowl

    Winter Salad with Dijon Dressing

    This easy Winter Salad celebrates the best produce winter has to offer made with cabbage, grapes, pears, feta, and a delicious Homemade Dijon Dressing.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 4 -6
    Calories: 311kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    Winter Salad Recipe

    • ¼ cup walnuts or pecans optional
    • 9 ounces mixed greens or spinach
    • ½ small head purple cabbage sliced
    • 1 large pear diced
    • 1-2 cups red grapes sliced in half
    • ½ cup dried cranberries
    • ½ cup feta cheese

    Maple Dijon Dressing

    • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon fresh pepper
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Toast the nuts over a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until your nose smells the nuts.
    • For the dressing, mix together the vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, oil, salt and pepper. Set aside until serving.
    • Toss together the mixed greens, cabbage, cranberries, pears, and grapes. Add the feta and nuts to the salad and dress with the dressing. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Storage: This winter salad is best served immediately after tossing. However, feel free to prepare the dressing and greens up to 48 hours in advance. Wait to add the fruit, nuts, and dress the salad just before serving, to prevent soggy nuts, browned pears, and wilted lettuce.
    Nutritional values are calculated based on full salad dressing used and toasted walnuts for 4 servings. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 791mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 7175IU | Vitamin C: 80.9mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 3.2mg
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz

      August 21, 2016 at 10:21 am

      This fig salad dressing will happen very soon!! I even have fig balsamic vinegar in my pantry---it was meant to be. Printing it off now 🙂

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 21, 2016 at 3:19 pm

        Yes, totally meant to be! Thanks Liz 🙂

        Reply
    2. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

      March 21, 2016 at 7:48 am

      YUM!!!! I love how colorful this is!!

      Reply
    3. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

      November 24, 2015 at 7:02 am

      Wow I love how colorful that is! I love a salad that has some crunch to it 🙂

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 24, 2015 at 8:56 am

        This has all the crunch you are looking for Liz 🙂

        Reply
    4. Julia

      May 16, 2015 at 6:45 am

      I have not tried fig balsamic but it sounds wonderful. I love figs and I bet it makes a great dressing.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 16, 2015 at 3:20 pm

        Fig balsamic makes a wonderful dressing. You will love it.

        Reply
    5. Susan@LunaCafe

      May 15, 2015 at 10:35 pm

      Dynamite! Looks so tasty!

      Reply
    6. Laura

      May 15, 2015 at 9:04 pm

      I LOVE fruit in salads, especially with strong cheeses! This looks amazing--pinned!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 16, 2015 at 3:23 pm

        Thanks Laura it is a great combo.

        Reply
    7. Lauren @ Wicked Spatula

      May 15, 2015 at 8:36 pm

      That dressing sounds wonderful!

      Reply
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