27 Hearty Winter Salads Worth Making This Season

Instead of ignoring salads for an entire season because they feel too light in the cold months, make them heartier. There’s no rule that says a salad has to start with lettuce, and winter is the perfect time to lean on vegetables, grains and sturdier greens. These salads give you something fresh without feeling out of place in colder weather. They’re simple to prep, hold up well and bring more variety to your weekly meals. You can serve them for work lunches, holiday tables or nights when you want something lighter than a stew but still grounded.

Einkorn Salad

This salad brings together einkorn berries, radicchio and oranges with a mustard vinaigrette, candied pecans and pumpkin seeds. It’s hearty enough for winter and holds up well for make ahead lunches. If you don’t have einkorn, farro, spelt or wheat berries work just as well.
Get the Recipe: Einkorn Salad

Feta Beet Salad

Cooked beets, crumbled feta, pistachios and herbs come together with a lemon olive oil dressing for a dish that’s simple to assemble but substantial enough for cold weather meals. It works as a side or a lighter main.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad

Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad

Carrots, chickpeas, raisins, feta and parsley meet a creamy yogurt tahini dressing for a cold salad that holds up well. It’s a great option when you want something fresh but still grounded for winter dinners.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad

Avocado Lentil Cranberry Salad

Lentils, fresh and dried cranberries and avocado come together with a lemon Dijon dressing for a hearty bowl that fits easily into winter lunches. The lentils make it filling and the cranberries add brightness.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Lentil Cranberry Salad

Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Crispy chicken, citrus, toasted pine nuts, herbs and kale create a chopped salad that feels right at home in winter. The orange Dijon dressing ties it together and the hearty greens help it stay crisp.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Chicken, apples, Brussels sprouts and pomegranates come together with a honey mustard dressing that fits cold weather meals. It’s simple to assemble and works well as a main or a hearty side.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Roasted Cranberry Broccoli Salad

Roasted cranberries and butternut squash bring color and depth to broccoli, croutons, almonds and pepitas. It works well for winter gatherings and holds its texture after dressing.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cranberry Broccoli Salad

Roasted Winter Root Vegetable Salad

Spiralized beets and parsnips mix with pecans, cranberries, blue cheese and balsamic for a hearty winter salad that feels substantial without being heavy. It’s easy to prep and fits well next to cold season mains.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Winter Root Vegetable Salad

Broccoli Kale Salad

Cranberries, toasted almonds and crisp greens meet an Indian spiced dressing in a mix that feels bold without weighing you down. The raw broccoli and kale stay crisp, which makes this a strong choice for winter when you want a salad that won’t wilt fast.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Kale Salad

Roasted Beet and Sweet Potato Salad

Roasted beets and sweet potatoes bring sweetness and depth, and the easy prep makes this a solid side dish for holiday meals. It fits cold weather well since the roasted vegetables add more weight without turning the salad heavy.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet and Sweet Potato Salad

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa pairs with Moroccan seasoned vegetables for a hearty dish that keeps well for days. It’s simple to pack for lunches and fits nicely into a winter rotation when you want something bright but still grounding.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad

Brown Lentil Salad

Roasted pumpkin, Belgian endive, pomegranate seeds and lentils make this a filling cold weather salad. Most of the time’s spent waiting on the pumpkin to roast, so the hands on work stays light. The mustard and tahini dressing pulls everything together and works well for winter spreads.
Get the Recipe: Brown Lentil Salad

Roasted Lentil Salad

Roasted garlic, pears, lentils, Brussels sprouts and radishes create a mix of textures that feels right for a cold season meal. The tahini dressing brings everything together and the greens underneath stay firm, which makes this an easy lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Lentil Salad

Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad

This macaroni salad mixes the bold taste of deviled eggs with pasta for a creamy and tangy bowl that fits well next to richer winter mains. Bacon, celery and onions keep things interesting and the eggs make the dish more filling than a standard pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad

Chicken Salad

Crispy chicken and crunchy vegetables meet a creamy dressing for a quick dish you can prep ahead. It’s a solid winter option when you want something hearty without cooking a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad

Roasted Pumpkin Salad

Roasted pumpkin, greens and a maple Dijon dressing create a salad that fits easily into winter cooking. The caramelized pumpkin adds more depth and brings some color to cold season meals.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Salad

Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Salad

Sweet roasted butternut, salty feta and pomegranate seeds come together in a mix that works well for holiday gatherings. The prep’s simple and the salad holds its structure even after sitting, making it easy to bring along to seasonal dinners.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Salad

Fried Halloumi Salad

Pan fried halloumi adds a crisp and salty bite to greens and herbs, and the quick cook time makes this a reliable winter lunch. The cheese stays firm and brings enough richness to stand up to colder weather.
Get the Recipe: Fried Halloumi Salad

Caramelized Fennel Salad

Caramelized fennel adds natural sweetness that works well with pancetta, goat cheese and greens. It’s got enough depth for winter meals and only needs a short time on the stove before assembling.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Fennel Salad

Kale Salad with Cranberries, Pears and Apples

Kale, crisp apples, juicy pears and pecans make this salad sturdy enough for winter meals. The greens soften just a bit under the dressing while still staying firm, which makes it great for prepping ahead.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad with Cranberries, Pears and Apples

Beet, Citrus and Whipped Goat Cheese Salad

Roasted and citrus marinated beets pair with whipped goat cheese for a bright but grounded salad that fits cold weather meals. The citrus lightens the dish while the beets make it substantial.
Get the Recipe: Beet, Citrus and Whipped Goat Cheese Salad

Sweet Potato Potato Salad

Sweet potatoes change the usual potato salad structure and bring a deeper flavor that works well during winter. The prep’s quick and the salad holds well when made ahead for busy weeks.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Potato Salad

Chickpea Salmon Salad

Salmon, chickpeas, red onion and a simple dressing make a filling option that fits nicely into cold weather routines. The textures stay crisp and the protein makes this a strong choice for lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salmon Salad

Kale Butternut Squash Salad

Kale and roasted butternut squash meet leafy greens and fruit for a salad that brings color and flavor to winter meals. The maple ginger dressing pulls everything together and the steps stay simple from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Kale Butternut Squash Salad

Sweet Potato Beetroot Salad

Sweet potatoes and spiced roasted beets create a sturdy base with crunch from pumpkin seeds and a maple garlic dressing. It’s easy to make and works well for winter lunches or a relaxed side dish with family.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Beetroot Salad

Broccoli Cranberry Salad

Broccoli, cranberries, mandarin oranges and roasted nuts come together under a quick citrus vinaigrette. It keeps its crunch, which makes it a great winter side dish you can prep ahead without worrying it’ll wilt.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cranberry Salad

Roasted Vegetable Salad

Roasted seasonal vegetables and leafy greens meet a homemade dressing for a hearty salad that fits well with winter dinners. It’s easy to serve next to turkey or other mains and works for both lunch and dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Salad