This vibrant Winter Salad comes together in about 15 minutes and requires absolutely no cooking, making it an ideal quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! You can switch up the ingredients based on what you have in your fridge or pantry, making it a perfect way to clean out leftovers and odds and ends! Seriously, it’s so versatile that you might end up making it every week!
Ingredient Breakdown
- Spring Greens
- Juicy Oranges
- Pomegranate Seeds
- Crumbled Feta Cheese
- Candied Pecans
- Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
- Honey
- Salt and Pepper
Let’s Get Cooking!
In a large bowl, combine the spring greens, orange segments, and pomegranate seeds. Toss them together like you’re mixing a colorful bouquet seriously, it should look beautiful and inviting! (This step takes about 3 minutes, tops!)
Sprinkle the crumbled feta and candied pecans on top, letting those vibrant colors shine!
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, a couple pinches of salt, and pepper. This is where the magic happens, friends! You want to whisk it until it’s nicely emulsified, another 3 minutes should be more than enough.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is coated and looking fabulous, don’t break those feta crumbles, they need to shine!
Serve immediately, or, if you like, cover it and chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Chilling it lets the flavors meld together, and honestly, it’s just that much better when it’s fresh!
Why I Love This Recipe
This Winter Salad is one of my go-to recipes whenever I need a burst of freshness in the chilly months. It’s like comfort food masquerading as health food, loaded with flavor and textures that are just divine. I’m a real sucker for that tangy feta combined with the sweet oranges and crunchy pecans; it’s a match made in heaven! Plus, the best part is how flexible this recipe is you can use whatever you’ve got on hand, making it so practical for busy weeknights.
If you loved this Winter Salad, be sure to check out my Pomegranate Roasted Beet Salad, my Refreshing Apple Cranberry Coleslaw, or my Easy Pesto Chicken Salad each is packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This salad comes together in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you just want a nutritious meal without the fuss.
Customizable
You can switch up the ingredients based on what you have or what’s in season. Got some leftover roasted veggies? Toss them in. Missing feta? Swap with some slices of avocado or even some tahini for creaminess without cheese!
Budget-Friendly
All of the ingredients in this recipe are affordable, especially if you buy seasonal produce.
Make-Ahead Friendly
This salad can be prepped ahead of time, just be sure to keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve so that nothing wilts.
Crowd-Pleaser
I’ve served this at family gatherings, potlucks, you name it and it never fails to impress! The colors alone make it Instagram-worthy, and everyone loves the balance of flavors.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Winter Salad
This salad shines on its own, but pairing it with grilled chicken or a warm bowl of soup makes for a comforting winter meal. You could even throw it onto a wrap for added complexity, yum!
Storage
This salad is best enjoyed fresh; however, it will keep in the fridge for about 2 days. Just keep in mind that the longer it sits, the greens might get a little soggy.
Reheating Instructions
No need for reheating here it’s best served fresh. But if you’re adding leftover proteins (like chicken or turkey), you can warm those up separately!
Freezer Friendly
Sadly, you can’t freeze this salad, especially because of the greens. Fresh salads simply don’t fare well in the freezer, so enjoy it right away instead!
So, there you have it! A delicious and simple Winter Salad that’s quick and easy, perfect for busy families like yours (and mine!). Make it your own, get creative, and don’t forget to enjoy the process! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Winter Salad
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, combine the spring greens, orange segments, and pomegranate seeds. Toss them together until evenly mixed.
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta and candied pecans on top.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss until all ingredients are coated.
- Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.