Salads have long been pegged as leafy, summery sides. And yet, with a little inspiration, they can be substantial main dishes all through the winter too – without a watery iceberg lettuce in sight. Starting with a base of lentils or root veg will ensure a hearty meal; from there, layer in zingy dressings and pops of fresh herbs to break up the seasonal stodge. And finally, finish with plenty of shots of sweetness using dried fruits, pomegranate jewels or candied nuts to balance the earthy flavours of seasonal beets, fennel and brassicas. Et voila: a recipe for winter salad success.

A great tip is to batch cook the separate ingredients and keep a jam jar of your dressing in the fridge so you can assemble your salad in seconds. Below are twelve winter salad ideas to give you some ideas of flavour combinations and seasonal twists on some classic salads standards.

Halloumi, Carrot and Orange Salad


BBC Good Food
Halloumi, Carrot & Orange Salad Copy

The perfect trio of salty cheese, sweet carrots and zesty orange, this salad delivers all of your five-a-day and takes under twenty minutes to make. A perfect plate of sunshine to have up your culinary sleeve for the depths of winter. Find the recipe here.


Roast Beetroot, Kale and Candied Walnut Salad


The Endless Meal
ROASTED BEET AND KALE SALAD WITH MAPLE CANDIED WALNUTS

The earthiness of the kale and beets are brilliantly balanced by the sweet maple-candied nuts and the tang of the mustard dressing. It would be great with crumbled goat’s cheese or smoked fish flaked in, too. Find the recipe here.


Warm Winter Salad


Jamie Oliver
Warm Winter Salad

Salads don’t always have to be cold. This warm winter salad from Jamie Oliver is filled with protein-rich quinoa, nutty roast hazelnuts and charred broccoli for a smoky, earthy flavour. Find the recipe here.


Winter Slaw


Barefoot Contessa
Winter Slaw

A winter slaw is the perfect companion for roast meats – the bitter leaves of the shredded radicchio, Brussels sprouts and kale, combined with the lemony dressing and shaved Parmesan, cut through the richness beautifully. Find the recipe here.


Winter Nicoise Salad


Goodfood
Winter Nicoise Salad

A classic Nicoise may transport you to a sunny terrace in the South of France, but this seasonal twist adds roasted veg and fennel to the standard tuna/egg/potato combo for a satisfying, wintry spin. Find the recipe here.


Winter Salmon Salad


Taste.com
Winter Salmon Salad

This easy five-step salad is filled with fragrant herbs, omega-3 rich salmon and creamy goat’s cheese. Packed with seasonal veg, it’s a great ‘throw together’ dinner party idea for winter gatherings. Find the recipe here.


Potato, Red Cabbage and Roasted Garlic Salad


The National Trust
Potato, Red Cabbage And Roasted Garlic Salad

A seasonal hybrid of coleslaw and potato salad, this salad, with its red cabbage, flaked almonds, sultanas and aromatic roasted garlic, is a great side to pair with roasted chicken for a lighter alternative to a Sunday roast. Find the recipe here.


Easy Warm Lentil and Beetroot Salad


Delicious Magazine
Easy Warm Lentil And Beetroot Salad

As the name suggests, this is a super speedy mid-week winter salad idea. Buy ready-steamed beetroots and pouches of cooked puy lentils and you’ll be even quicker. Packed full of herbs and feta to pep up the earthy roast veg, it’s great topped off with a fried egg, too. Find the recipe here.


Roast Spiced Cauliflower and Chickpea


Delicious Magazine
Roast Spiced Cauliflower With Chickpeas

This warming, Indian spiced vegan dish may not strictly speaking be a salad, but double the recipe and save the leftovers to toss through some mixed leaves for an instant and satisfying lunch. Find the recipe here.


Winter Tabouleh


BBC Good Food
Winter Tabbouleh Copy

Combine cauliflower, fennel, bulgur wheat, nuts and pomegranate seeds to make this winter version of a traditional tabbouleh. Perfect as part of a mezze of dips and breads for a laid-back lunch with friends. Find the recipe here.


Parmesan Brussel Sprout Salad


Delish.com
Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad

Brussels sprouts aren’t just for Christmas… or for boiling to death either. Shredded in a winter salad with toasted almonds, pomegranate seeds and shaved parmesan, they are a great crunchy, anti-oxidant rich alternative to limp leaves. Find the recipe here.


Pears and Radishes with Gorgonzola and Nori


Bon Appetit
Pears And Radishes With Gorgonzola And Nori

The classic pear and blue cheese combo is a tried-and-tested winner… but nori? A surprising, yet delicious addition, the crisp seaweed sheets add a salinity to the rich flavours, while the peppery radishes round-out the sweet/salty balance. Perfect for reawakening your tastebuds from their winter comfort food slumber. Find the recipe here.


Citrus Salad with Fennel and Avocado


Love And Lemons
Citrus Salad With Fennel & Avocado

Another great salad to brighten a grey winter day, this refreshing dish combines citrus fruits with fresh mint, avocado, pecorino, pine nuts and crunchy fennel. Top with grilled white fish for a delicious light lunch. Find the recipe here.


By Lydia Mansi
February 2022

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