20 winter salad recipes
Make seasonal fruit and veg the star of the show with our winter salad recipes. Enjoy carrots, parsnips, kale, squash, chicory, pears, cauliflower and more
When it comes to seasonal produce, winter has a bit of a bad rep as it’s often thought of as one of the least abundant times of year. However, we believe there’s plenty of delicious ingredients at their best during the winter months – and lots of ways to use them.
Take seasonal stars such as parsnips, carrots, kale, squash and brussels sprouts. Combined with a few filling foods, like chicken, avocado, grains or beans, these humble vegetables can make a super-satisfying meal. What’s more, you could reap some health benefits by eating with the seasons, as you’re getting foods at their most nutritious – read our guide to find out more.
As you’ll see from our list below, the possibilities for making winter salads are endless. Keep it classic with our warm chorizo & chickpea salad, try something different with roasted root veg fattoush and serve up a new favourite with our roasted carrot, lentil & feta salad.
For more ideas, check out our healthy salad recipes, vegetarian salads and vegan salads. Plus, read our list of 10 salad dressings you can make in minutes.
Find out what's in season in November, December and January, then check out these healthy winter, budget winter and quick winter recipe collections.
Try more seasonal ideas in our parsnip, kale and brussels sprouts recipes.
1. Warm winter bean salad with chicken
Banish the winter blues with our warm bean salad with kale, chicken breast and radicchio. Try to get butter beans from a jar as they’re generally softer and more flavourful.
Try more bean salad recipes.
2. Sesame parsnip & wild rice tabbouleh
The flavour of the sweet roasted parsnips, coated in turmeric, works perfectly with nutty tahini dressing. Combine with wild rice, fresh mint and coriander for a satisfying vegan supper.
Discover more wild rice recipes.
3. Pear, chicory & blue cheese salad
Creamy blue cheese, ripe pears and walnuts make a winning combination in this elegant salad. The bitter leaves of chicory make a pleasant addition to salads, while in season.
See more seasonal pear recipes.
4. Roasted carrot, rocket & lentil salad
So simple, yet so delicious. This easy salad for two combines a pouch of puy lentils with roasted carrots, cucumber, avocado, a good scattering of salty feta and a honey-mustard dressing. Also, try out our Heritage carrots recipe.
Try out more vegetarian salads.
5. Winter salad with raisins, dill & walnuts
Make the most of cauliflower in this wonderful winter salad with raisins, dill and walnuts, and a homemade butter bean and smoked paprika hummus.
Check out more vegan cauliflower recipes.
6. Warm chorizo & chickpea salad
You only need seven ingredients to make this satisfying salad. Full of bold flavours like chorizo and sun-dried tomatoes, it’s a great option for lunch.
Take a look at more chickpea salad recipes.
7. Winter tabbouleh
Swap out summery tomatoes and make a winter version of tabbouleh with cauliflower, fennel, bulgur wheat, nuts and pomegranate seeds. It’s delicious served as a side dish to roast chicken or lamb.
See more tabbouleh recipes.
8. Roast squash & hummus winter salad
This filling salad of roasted winter veg and rocket sits atop a layer of creamy walnut and butter bean hummus. It’s a nourishing dish that’s loaded with vitamin C to help support your immune defences.
We have plenty more roast squash recipes.
9. Brussels sprouts winter salad with clementine dressing
Brussels sprouts aren't just for Christmas, use them all winter to make a great alternative to cabbage in slaws and salads. Here, they soak up zingy dressing made with clementine zest and juice, vinegar, honey and mustard, which is then combined with pine nuts, clementine segments and pomegranate seeds.
Check out these Christmas salads recipes for more ideas.
10. Roasted roots fattoush
If you're always looking for new ways with root vegetables, this is the salad for you. We’ve given classic Middle Eastern fattoush a winter makeover with roasted root veg and a brown-butter yogurt dressing. We've left the shards of toasted pitta in for crunch.
Discover more root vegetable recipes.
11. Vegan roast spiced squash salad with tahini dressing
Make the most of butternut squash in this nutrient-rich salad. It’s just as good chilled for lunch the next day, so consider doubling the recipe.
Use your jar of tahini in sweet and savoury dishes – see our tahini recipe collection for inspiration.
12. Puy lentil salad with beetroot & walnuts
Go meat-free for lunch with this vibrant no-cook puy lentil salad. Walnuts make a tasty addition to this vegan salad and are a source of plant compounds called polyphenols which guard against inflammation.
Turn your hand to these lentil salad dishes.
13. Winter cobb salad
Use up leftover chicken from your Sunday roast to make our take on a classic cobb salad. It’s great for colder months when you need something more substantial.
We have plenty more chicken salad recipes to choose from.
14. Quinoa salad with shredded greens & raisins
Showcase quinoa in this wonderful salad with shredded seasonal greens, avocado, feta and raisins. If you’re not a fan of quinoa, you could always use another wholegrain.
See our quinoa recipes for more recipe inspiration.
15. Beetroot & halloumi salad with pomegranate & dill
This healthy salad is a marriage of flavours. Salty halloumi works wonderfully with juicy orange, sweet pomegranate, fresh mint and bitter rocket. You can come back to this recipe all-year round.
Find more ways to use up beetroot in our beetroot recipe collection.
16. Bacon & avocado warm orzo pasta salad
Reimagine pasta salad and make a warm version using orzo – one of our all-time favourite ingredients – instead. Simply stir through pesto, tomatoes, avocado and crispy bacon and you’re into a real winner.
Use up that bag of orzo with the help of our orzo recipe collection.
17. Kale caesar salad
Whatever the time of year, you need a good caesar salad recipe to add to your repertoire. Make good use of kale and put it centre-stage in this easy caesar topped with croutons. It can serve two as a main course, or four as a starter.
We've got plenty more caesar salad recipes.
18. Shaved pear, cheese & bresaola salad
Make the most of pears and chicory while they’re in season with this rustic salad. Cured beef, walnuts and blue cheese elevate it to something really special.
See our walnut recipes for more ways to use this earthy-tasting nut.
19. Minty carrot, pistachio & feta salad
This Moroccan-style salad with cumin-roasted carrots, chickpeas, mint, nuts, spinach and salty cheese is great with cooked chicken or lamb. Alternatively, serve with hummus and pitta for a simple meat-free meal.
Take a browse through our carrot salad recipes and feta salad collection.
20. Beetroot, lentil, celeriac & hazelnut salad
A lovely, wintry salad using fresh, seasonal ingredients that you can serve warm or cold. Bright beetroot, crunchy hazelnuts and a punchy mustard dressing are the stars of the show.
See more ways to enjoy hazelnuts in our hazelnut collection.
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