Winter Salad

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.

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.

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.